Faruq and the Wiri Wiri

By Author / Illustrator

Sophia Payne, Sandhya Prabhat

Genre

Family & Home

Age range(s)

Publisher

Templar Publishing

ISBN

9781800782624

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

16-03-2023

Synopsis

A Caribbean celebration of family and food - with a spicy twist! There is not a better smell in the world than Ajee's Cook-up rice. The kitchen fills with the smell of coconut, garlic and spices. Faruq loves his grandmother Ajee, and he loves her cooking. In fact, Faruq would like to cook too - he wants to be a chef, but Ajee says he has to be a doctor like his father.

But one day when Ajee is too ill to make the family feast, with the help of his neighbour Mrs Joseph, Faruq picks some hot wiri wiri chilli peppers and cooks up a banquet. Preparing food for his family fills Faruq's heart with love - and sets a different course for his future.

This sumptuous story celebrates Caribbean culture and food through Sophia Payne's distinct voice that is reflective of her Indo-Guyanese heritage and is brought to life by Sandhya Prabhat's beautiful artwork. It also includes a recipe for Guyanese Lime cookies for you to try at home!

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Reviews

Faruq and the Wiri Wiri will definitely make you hungry! The opening line takes you on a cooking journey with Faruq, his Grandma Ajee and Mrs Joseph. "There's no better smell in the world than Ajee's Cook up rice." Faruq loves cooking with his Grandma and using all the fresh ingredients from the garden, especially the wiri wiri peppers. When Faruq says he wants to be a cook too his Grandma says "You gon' be a doctor like your father."

Faruq squeezes through a gap near the wiri wiri peppers and into Mrs Joseph's kitchen next door where he learns to cook each day with his kind neighbour. Ajee his Grandma becomes ill but Faruq is able to make a wonderful soup and feast for all their visitors and family, proving that he can cook and help everyone. "Cooking for his family filled Faruq's heart with love."

A heartwarming book about the simple pleasures in life family, food and helping each other. Beautiful illustrations, end papers and a delicious recipe for Lime Cookies.

Picture book / Reviewed by Maria, teacher