jenny liao 廖麗紅
@jeliao
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author of everyone loves lunchtime but zia (2023) • some words in @bonappetit @newyorker • writing my first novel + tv pilot • rep’d by @jmcgowanbks
LA + NYC
Joined February 2009
My first piece for @NewYorker! For my fellow children of immigrants, this is for you ❤️
Jenny Liao, who grew up speaking Cantonese with her parents, writes about her experience with first-language attrition, the process of forgetting a first or native language: “Can I call myself Chinese if I barely speak the language?”
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“No one prepared me for the heartbreak of losing my first language,” Jenny Liao writes. “My first language, Cantonese, is the only one I share with my parents, and, as it slips from my memory, I also lose my ability to communicate with them.”
newyorker.com
When I speak Cantonese with my parents now, I rely on translation apps.
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A very nice review for Career Day @KirkusReviews 🥹 “Liao lovingly weaves together the threads of immigrant life and allows Zia to take the initiative to solve the problem in a thoroughly modern way. This rich and multifaceted story is a perfect fit.” https://t.co/8WMAXVM95K
kirkusreviews.com
In this follow-up to Everyone Loves Lunchtime but Zia (2023), a young Chinese American girl wishes that her classmates could see how talented her seamstress mother is.
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ALL THAT TO SAY….Donut and Beignet never miss!! Get in on this 🔥deal on the book before it ends on Friday 4/19!! 🤑 And as always, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support❤️ 6/6
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I wrote this story to highlight the many sides of immigrant life, and showcase a young child finding pride in her mother’s career, even though it’s different from the careers of other parents. 5/6
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But this industry has served as a lifeline to be proud of for many Chinese Americans with limited English fluency as they build a life for themselves and their families. 4/6
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This story is inspired by garment factory workers in NYC’s Chinatown, including my mom. The words “seamstress,” “garment factory,” and “sweatshop” are often associated with each other and typically hold negative connotations. 3/6
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Join Zia for Career Day as she thinks of ways to help her mom demonstrate her job as a seamstress, even though Mama doesn’t speak English and can’t take time off work to be there in person. 2/6
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Donut and Beignet want you to know there’s a hot deal on my next book, Everyone Loves Career Day but Zia! 25% off preorders at Barnes & Noble until Friday 4/19 when you sign up for a free reward membership and enter PREORDER25 at checkout ❤️ Order here: https://t.co/Jb9sqq2yaj
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Hi Los Angeles, what are you doing May 4th? I’m celebrating AAPI Heritage Month with a storytime reading of Everyone Loves Lunchtime but Zia and signing books at the Festival of AAPI Books, hosted by @belcantobooks @LBCityLibrary in Long Beach! Come see me from 1:30-3:30pm!
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Language is a critical part of our heritage and identity. This story celebrates the beauty of embracing your first language, even if you live and learn through a second one. I can’t wait to share it with you!
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Preorder now if you’re interested 🥰 Beautifully illustrated by the incredible @dream77225656. https://t.co/Q56argBMrv
penguinrandomhouse.com
An empowering story about a Chinese American girl who proudly translates for her mom, helping her to demonstrate her skill as a seamstress on Career Day at school. It will soon be Career Day...
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⭐️ COVER REVEAL!⭐️ Zia is back! EVERYONE LOVES CAREER DAY BUT ZIA is a story about a Chinese American girl who proudly translates for her mom, helping her to demonstrate her skill as a seamstress on Career Day at school. Releases July 2, 2024 @KnopfBFYR
@randomhousekids
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P.S For anyone thinking “WAIT!! Third book? Where’s your second one?!” - news about that is coming soon 😅 (it’s another book about Zia!!!)
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I hope you enjoy reading this story about Qing Ming as much as I enjoyed writing it ❤️
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Thank you to my incredible agent @jmcgowanbks, my editor @GLakenauth, and the team at @KnopfBFYR @randomhousekids for believing in this story and bringing it into the world ❤️
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It’s about maintaining meaningful ties to family members who came before us and upholding traditions. It’s a time when I get to tell my grandparents about all the happy news in my life that they would have loved to be a part of.
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Qing Ming is a holiday that I always look forward to. Also known as “Tomb Sweeping Day,” it’s a time when people honor their ancestors by visiting the cemetery, sharing food, tidying the family memorial, and burning joss paper (offerings for the afterlife).
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A very happy new year!!! With You in Spirit, a picture book about a young child honoring her grandfather during Qing Ming, is coming spring 2026 🥳 This is my third picture book that will be published and I’m so honored to be working with @lunartcy19 💕
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“No one prepared me for the heartbreak of losing my first language,” Jenny Liao writes. “My first language, Cantonese, is the only one I share with my parents, and, as it slips from my memory, I also lose my ability to communicate with them.”
newyorker.com
When I speak Cantonese with my parents now, I rely on translation apps.
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