The illustrations in this book are stunning. I love the vibrant use of colour which perfectly captures the richness of the ingredients and foods introduced in the story.
The story manages to celebrate family bonds and how food can bring people together while also challenging gender stereotypes. Faruq loves cooking with his grandma, Ajee, but is repeatedly told he should be playing sports rather cooking or aspiring to become a doctor rather than a chef.
The story also teaches a lot about food as a love language and how certain ingredients need to be handled with care, such as the wiri wiri pepper of the title. It also does a good job of introducing the link between food and culture and Guyanese dishes. It is impressive how much the author has packed into such a short and sweet story.
Finally, the inclusion of a recipe for lime cookies at the back of the book is a lovely addition so young readers can bake and eat them just like Faruq.
The story manages to celebrate family bonds and how food can bring people together while also challenging gender stereotypes. Faruq loves cooking with his grandma, Ajee, but is repeatedly told he should be playing sports rather cooking or aspiring to become a doctor rather than a chef.
The story also teaches a lot about food as a love language and how certain ingredients need to be handled with care, such as the wiri wiri pepper of the title. It also does a good job of introducing the link between food and culture and Guyanese dishes. It is impressive how much the author has packed into such a short and sweet story.
Finally, the inclusion of a recipe for lime cookies at the back of the book is a lovely addition so young readers can bake and eat them just like Faruq.