“Why We Eat Fried Peanuts” by Zed Zha is a story about the Lunar New Year. This book illustrates the story of a young girl, Meng, who asks her father why they eat fried peanuts every New Year. Her father shares the tale of her great-grandmother and how eating peanuts became a part of their New Year tradition. The book highlights the Lunar New Year, Tomb Sweeping Day, and other Chinese traditions. It also includes a few Mandarin words and their meanings. The language is simple and easy to read, making it an informative book about Chinese culture and traditions for both children and adults.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with the ARC of this book.
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This is a fun picture book teaching kids about aspects of Chinese culture and Lunar New Year. “It’s feeling like the Lunar New Year” says a girl’s dad while tasting some fried peanuts. The girl, curious why the family eat fried peanuts during the new year asks her dad the question, which begins a tale about her family, Chinese culture, history and more. The book is filled with some lovely illustrations and text.

The story begins with the girl wondering why the family eat fried peanuts during the Chinese new year celebrations, however the dad does more than just tell her why. Instead of just a plain answer he begins by telling a story about the girl’s great-grandmother and how she would always encourage him to eat more peanuts. The story is interesting, telling a tale about the girl’s family and this tale covers things like the Qingming Festival (the Tomb-Sweeping Day) as well as more about what happened to one of the girl’s ancestors. I don’t want to spoil the story by saying too much, but I love how interesting this is and made all the more so by the illustrations and added Chinese text that appears on every page.

The illustrations are really lovely, I do like how all of the characters look, and how the images show what is happening in the past while also showing the present too. There are some lovely details to spot in the pictures, other characters to see in the background and more, and I do like how the pictures show well what is happening in the main story. On every double page, as the dad explains things to the girl who we never learn the name of, he uses a Chinese word or term. This is shown in italics in the main story text but the meaning of the Chinese word is shown in a separate box on the page, showing both the pinyin, original Chinese Mandarin characters and also a pronounciation guide as well as obviously the meaning behind the word so children can learn a few Chinese words or terms while reading this book.

The story has a lovely conclusion, especially when you learn about what happens to one particular character, and I do like how there is more about Chinese history and culture at the back of the book as well as a recipe on how to make fried peanuts at home with an adult’s help. Overall this is such a great book and a great introduction to some Chinese culture that I didn’t know about. This book is a great one to share before the Lunar New Year, although it’s a great one for all children to learn more about the various aspects of Chinese culture mentioned all year around, and with the added simple recipe and facts, this makes for a great book for all kids to read. A lovely picture book.

This is an educational and beautifully illustrated children's story on the Lunar New Year. It touches on messages of kindness and respect, while providing great explanations on culture and traditions of the Lunar New Year. I appreciated the end matter that provided more information, and the definitions and pronunciation guides were also helpful.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. These opinions are completely my own.


A lovely story that connects traditions with not only Chinese history, but with family. I loves learning about important Moments in Chinese history, I know very little about Chinese New Year so this was a fun start to educating myself.

I spent most of the book hoping for a Fries Peanut recipe and you delivered. I know what I'm doing tomorrow.

Book Review: "Why We Eat Fried Peanuts: A Celebration of Family and Lunar New Year Traditions" by Zed Zha with Illustrations by Sian James

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Diving into "Why We Eat Fried Peanuts" was like being wrapped in a warm hug. This delightful book invites readers to join Mèng, a Chinese American girl, as she gears up for the Lunar New Year festivities with her family. Through vibrant storytelling and captivating illustrations, the book beautifully blends family tales with cultural education.

The heart of the story lies in the ancestral bravery of Mèng’s great-grandmother, tài nai nai, whose courageous actions have inspired generations. Her story is a powerful lesson in strength and courage that resonates throughout the book. It’s not just about celebrating a holiday; it’s about understanding and honoring the rich tapestry of family history and tradition.

As we follow Mèng's journey, we're introduced to important moments in Chinese history, and learn some key Mandarin words along the way. Words like 太奶奶 (tài nai nai) for great-grandmother and 幸运 (xìng yùn) for lucky become more than just vocabulary—they become a bridge connecting readers to the culture.

The illustrations by Sian James are simply stunning. They burst with color and life, perfectly capturing the joy of the celebrations and enhancing the storytelling. Each page is a visual feast that draws you deeper into Mèng’s world.

What I found particularly appealing was the emphasis on food as a central part of the festivities. The significance of peanuts within the story adds a layer of cultural richness, and the simple recipe for fried peanuts at the end is a lovely touch that encourages readers to bring a piece of the celebration into their own homes.

"Why We Eat Fried Peanuts" is more than just a storybook; it’s an exploration of cultural identity and family heritage. It's a perfect blend of storytelling, education, and art that I thoroughly enjoyed. While it’s aimed at younger readers, its themes are universal, making it an engaging read for anyone interested in learning about Lunar New Year traditions.

In summary, this book is a beautiful tribute to family and tradition, enhanced by breathtaking illustrations and delightful snippets of Mandarin. It's a celebration of ancestry and culture that leaves you feeling both educated and inspired. Whether you're familiar with Lunar New Year or new to its customs, this book is a heartwarming addition to any bookshelf.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

Utterly delightful!

I’m not normally one to read children’s fiction anymore but couldn’t resist picking this one up. I always have a soft spot for children’s books featuring main characters from a minority group; definitely wish there were more of these around when I was little but I am glad there’s so much more diversity in children’s books for the younger generations these days so more children can feel seen.

This is a sweet story about a father retelling his child about her great grandmother’s story. There are also Chinese words interspersed throughout with pinyin and English translation. The Q&A at the back is very handy as is the recipe for fried peanuts. The illustrations are simply beautiful and I love all the attention to small details.

Would definitely look forward to seeing what future books Zed has in store.

Why We Eat Fried Peanuts is a wonderful story for children which presents some of Chinese traditions.

The story is related through father telling the story of their ancestor to his daughter.

In an interesting way, it presents why the peanuts are eaten at Lunar New Year, why specific names are chosen, and above-all the deep respect for elders.

The meaningful information is supported with beautiful illustrations, and includes a few words in Mandarin and how to pronounce them.

The book is meant for children ages 6-11 years and could be enjoyed by all.

A simple question about why peanuts are eaten at a specific festival leads to a much longer answer than you might expect. The peanuts were certainly recommended by the questioner's great-grandma, who has her place high up in family lore. She, so we're told (and shown in the very commendable illustrations) met a stranger of a young woman one day, and wanted to help her out – which she did, in a most family-changing manner.

The book wants to merge a lot of things, and to include lessons in family respect, the specific day for honouring the dead, and the Lunar New Year. But put all that in, force a word of Mandarin in to every page (albeit with pronunciation guide and definition), include the teachers' notes at the end – the whole thing felt a little too dry for me. Does it successfully teach us about the things I mentioned? Yes, but with little joy. The fun a person of Chinese extraction would have in recognising themselves on these pages is countered by them knowing all this stuff already. I don't think the necessary pleasure comes from this – two and a half stars.

This book is a wonderful recollection of the history and tradition of a family and how are elders past and present are always with us in our stories.

I first came across this book on NetGalley and thought it sounded really beautiful, so although it was something I wouldn’t necessarily pick up due to my age, I read this one and was just in love from the start. The illustrations were gorgeous and the story was really heartwarming, about why eating fried peanuts is a tradition in the main character’s family, and the heroism of her ancestor, which I discovered was based off a true story! Definitely a great read to celebrate the Lunar New Year, with snippets of Chinese phrases throughout, and a recipe for the fried peanuts at the end!

Such a lovely book. Beautiful illustrations and a lovely way for children to learn about different cultures and cultural norms. I also love how at the end of the book it teaches you about important moments in Chinese history and culture. What a sweet read,

"Dad, why do we eat fried peanuts every New Year?" Mèng asks—and so we get a story about culture and family and history and language and, yes, fried peanuts, all in this short children's book. "Why We Eat Fried Peanuts" introduces young readers to a Chinese tradition, all wrapped in a story that also teaches them something about the past and about the hardships their forebears may have faced.

This makes for a charming and thoughtful read, with full-color illustrations to bring the story to life. I love that Mèng's father acknowledges that women have often been forgotten in history (Mèng's great grandmother is known only as "tài nǎi nai", or "great grandmother", because her name has been lost to history) but that their stories should not be forgotten. I might have liked to see a bit more detail about the woman we see at the end of the story—she is even more lost to history, and her story is much sadder—but I might be asking a bit much out of a 32-page picture book that is already doing so much!

All in all, a solid addition to any young reader's shelves. I wouldn't mind reading some variation on this story written for adults, either. (Oh, and there's a recipe for fried peanuts at the end—too close to deep-frying for me, but if I were comfortable deep-frying at home I'd absolutely make them!)

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Why We Eat Fried Peanuts by Zed Zha and illustrated by Sian James is a picture book delving into remembering the stories of our family members who are no longer with us. Mèng’s father recounts the story of his great-grandmother and the reason that their family eats fried peanuts.

The illustrations are rich and full of small details and colors. I would immediately pick up anything illustrated by Sian James after reading this. I especially loved the little notes in the corner that write Mandarin words in the story in hanzi, pinyin and a second way to romanize the characters. It’s really awesome to see that because it gives a variety of ways for young readers to learn new words in Mandarin and also recognizes that there are different ways to write out Mandarin.

The story is very heartfelt and informative. Mèng’s grandmother assisted another woman who had recently given birth but was concerned because her husband wasn’t there. When Mèng is distressed about this, her father lets her know that there was a big cultural shift and war was on the horizon so the mother needed compassion not judgement.

I would recommend this to parents and guardians looking for picture books to teach individual Mandarin words and young readers looking for something a little bit more mature in themes

This book was beautifully illustrated. I appreciated this story that shares more of our Chinese culture. I think it was great having the pronunciations and meanings behind the words used in the story. I will say that since I speak Cantonese, I may not have connected as well with the words used in this story, but that's not anyone's fault.

I think this book was overall very well designed and thought out.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this advanced copy and can't wait for it to be released so that there at more options for Chinese families.

Why We Eat Fried Peanuts first caught my attention because of its adorable illustrations—they’re absolutely charming! But as it turns out, the story itself is even better. This delightful book shares a heartwarming conversation between a little girl and her father, who lovingly explains the story behind fried peanuts.

What makes the book extra special is that readers can learn a few Chinese words and phrases as they follow along. It’s such a fun and interactive way to pick up a bit of the language! At the end, the author also provides fascinating insights into the unique aspects of Chinese culture and language, making the book both entertaining and educational.

And don’t miss the fried peanuts recipe at the end—I can’t wait to give it a try! This is a wonderful book for anyone curious about new cultures, tasty traditions, or simply looking for a sweet and engaging story. Highly recommended, and I can’t wait to read more from this author! 😊

It is a fantastic story about family traditions and heritage: a little girl asks her father a simple question and receives an eye-opening family history lesson in return.

Such a cute one for Lunar New Year. And once again, I love that they call it LNY for inclusivity. More people than the Chinese celebrate this holiday.

Beautiful story. Beautiful illustrations. Loved learning some Mandarin words. 新年快乐!

I have read several full length novels that rely heavily on Chinese, Korean, or Japanese cultures. It’s nice to read a warm heartfelt story about a tradition, and then be given directions on how to make food in said tradition.

Growing up, I never heard about Lunar New Year. Then I lived in Taiwan for three years and when I returned to the United States I began working in schools with diverse groups of students. I wish I would have had more exposure to other cultural traditions. This book offers that window for kids to understand cultural traditions they have not been exposed to or to provide more information for those who take part in cultural traditions without knowing all the story behind different elements.

This is a fantastic addition to elementary school libraries.

Thank you to Net Galley, Quarto Publishing Group, and becker & mayer! kids for the DRC. All opinions are my own.

This picture book tells a family story about kindness and remembering ancestors. The little girl asks her father why they always eat fried peanuts at Lunar New Year and he tells her the story of her great grandmother and how she rescued a newborn baby who she nicknamed little peanut. The father shares traditions such as sweeping the graves of ancestors, and also some of the history of their family and country, such as the Chinese civil war and the way that sometimes female ancestors' names were lost when passing down stories to generations. The book ends with quite a bit of information about themes and topics from the story, as well as a recipe for fried peanuts. Each page also has short translations with pronunciation guides, giving readers the opportunity to learn some words in Mandarin as they read. The font is a bit small and often over a multi-coloured background, but it is clear and easy to read. The illustrations are excellent and really bring the reader into the story. I love that this book is about Lunar New Year without being a simple "what is Lunar New Year" type story. This way readers still learn about the holiday but there is an interesting story woven throughout. I could definitely see myself reading this to my class or purchasing a copy for my classroom library. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this book!