Qing Zhuang

Rainbow Shopping Qing Zhuang

Sharing a delicious meal helps a young girl feel connected to her family in this loving tribute to Chinatown grocery stores and spending days-off together.

A young girl feels as gray as a pigeon. Since moving from China to Brooklyn, Mom, Dad, and Grandma have been too busy for her. But a trip to Moms favorite Chinatown market, where there are vegetables in a hundred greens and silver fish on crunchy white ice, might just be what the girl needs to feel connected again.
 
After a long day of shopping, they cook up a savory meal of mushroom and bok choy, thin slices of bitter melon, fragrant ponds of broth, and seafood--almost like being back in China again.
 
Inspired by Qing Zhuangs experience as a first generation Chinese American, Rainbow Shopping explores how, for many immigrants, grocery stores can be a place of comfort, delight, and even education for their young ones who may not know much about the culture they come from. Qing displays a keen awareness of a childs sensibility, using color and perspective to communicate the girls emotions with warmth and humor. A final dream spread shows the family walking hand-in-hand in rainbow colors, an affirmation of love and support even on rainy, gray days.