Rich with vibrant and joyful illustrations, Why We Eat Fried Peanuts honors the concept of ancestry, a pillar of Chinese culture that is remembered during the Lunar New Year celebrations. Through this engaging story, discover the rich history and culture of the Lunar New Year and learn how to apply the values of strength and courage all year round. Join Mèng, a Chinese American girl, as she prepares for the Lunar New Year festivities with her family and discovers the significance of ancestral stories and the history behind the Mandarin language and traditional foods eaten during the holiday. Meng’s father shares with her the family story of tài nai nai, Meng’s great-grandmother and a very important ancestor for the family. Tài nai nai’s brave act of courage many years ago inspired generations after and teaches valuable lessons that every child can learn from today. Along the way, see how food plays an important role in the festivities and why one food – peanuts – is an important snack. The simple recipe for fried peanuts at the end of the story provides a fun, easy way to include the Lunar New Year in your annually celebrated holidays.
Zed Zha is a first-generation immigrant from China and an important voice for change in the AAPI space. A board-certified family physician, Zed’s medical career and patient advocacy for people of color has garnered her a following on social media, but so has her personal writing. As a Chinese American, she is passionate about telling stories about ancestry and traditions. Her introspective, vulnerable, and humorous style of narrative nonfiction shines in her first children’s book Why We Eat Fried Peanuts. Follow Zed at zedzha.com and @DrZedZha.
