Emeka, Eat Egusi!
Candice Iloh author Bea Jackson illustrator
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Simon & Schuster
Publishing:26th Mar '26
£11.69 was £12.99
This title is due to be published on 26th March, and will be despatched as soon as possible.
Two starred reviews!
From award-winning author Candice Iloh and New York Times illustrator Bea Jackson comes a “jovial…heartfelt” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) picture book celebration of traditional Nigerian home cooking and the surprising joys of trying new things, from the perspective of a boy on the autism spectrum.
Emeka’s favorite food is jollof rice. He eats it every day. “Emeka, come and try this egusi!” Mama and Papa urge. But orange rice is what Emeka knows. He doesn’t want anything different.
Then one day, Emeka comes home from school to find Mama in the kitchen waiting for him to help her cook egusi. One by one, new things go into the pot. There are so many colors and smells and sounds! And Emeka is a great helper. Could it be that trying something new might actually be…good?
★ "Iloh’s methodically paced story is as warm and flavorful as the titular soup. Inspired by their younger sibling, they offer a loving portrait of a child on the autistic spectrum who’s supported by family members eager to meet him where he is . . . [Jackson's] digital illustrations rely on multiple angles, photorealistic depictions of the foods, and masterful use of light and shadow—all of which adds up to both an utterly immersive culinary experience and a tale of familial bonding at its best." -- Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
★ “Iloh’s rhythmic repetition captures the child’s hesitation and interest, while Jackson’s lush digital illustrations fill the pages with the family kitchen’s warmth. It’s a heartfelt story that smartly twines familiar comforts with the joy of learning something new.” -- Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
“Iloh and Jackson have created an endearing character who is fully capable of starring in more adventures. . . . A delightful story certain to win over listeners at story hours or in classroom units about food and what it means.” -- School Library Journal
ISBN: 9781665937610
Dimensions: 279mm x 229mm x 13mm
Weight: 492g
48 pages