by Sophia Payne
illustrated by Sandyha Prabhat
 
Subtitled, “A celebration of family and food!” Every day, Ajee makes cook-up rice for Faruq’s family, releasing a tummy-rumbling aroma of garlic, coconut and, best of all, wiri wiri peppers. Every day, Faruq watches and, on cue, fetches ingredients from the garden. He longs to cook himself but Ajee says study is his business and football is his play. She says he needs to become a doctor like his dad. Faruq is frustrated. He thinks boys should be able to cook. And then, out playing in the garden, he meets neighbour, Mrs Joseph, who taught his own grandmother to cook and who is on hand to pass on those skills to him, starting with lime cookies. Soon, he’s on a daily visit to learn his trade, which includes learning to respect the wiri as part of his cultural heritage. Will he finally get a chance to show off his talent to his family? 
 
A warm story of family and heritage which gently challenges gender stereotypes and serves up deliciousness every few pages, from scenes of Ajee at work slicing fresh vegetables to Mrs Joseph’s busy bubbling kitchen to, finally, Ajee’s own table-heaving feast.  The older women’s dialogues’ pepperings of patois adds to the book’s sensory charm. ‘I love the simple yet colourful illustrations in this book and how it centres Caribbean culture. I haven’t read many books that do this, so it’s exciting to read this. I think the patois added a nice touch, and the language used reminds me of my grandad’ (Maya, young Letterbox Library reviewer).  Includes a recipe for “Easy-peasy Guyanese Lime Cookies” at the back.  [Extended Guyanese family- Faruq lives with his Dad and Grandma].  Age 4-7, Paperback 35pp