Faruq and the Wiri Wiri: a Celebration of Family and Food

This heartwarming chapter book introduces Faruq, a young boy in a vibrant Caribbean family, who has a deep love for his grandmother (Ajee) and her delicious cooking. While his family envisions a future in medicine for him, Faruq secretly dreams of becoming a chef. The story unfolds when Ajee becomes too sick to prepare their traditional Sunday lunch, prompting Faruq to take charge with the help of a kind neighbor. Through the process of selecting wiri wiri peppers and cooking, Faruq not only nourishes his family but also solidifies his own identity and future path. It's a beautiful celebration of family bonds, cultural heritage, and the courage to follow one's passion, perfect for children aged 4-11.

A Caribbean celebration of family and food! Faruq loves his ajee, and he loves her cooking just as much. He hopes to be able to make cook-up rice almost as good as Ajee's someday. But Faruq's family expects him to be a doctor, not a chef. When Ajee is too sick to cook Sunday lunch, Faruq enlists the help of his neighbor, Mrs. Joseph, and together they pick some wiri wiri peppers and start cooking. Preparing food for his family fills Faruq's heart with love--and sets a different course for his future. Sophia Payne's heartwarming story celebrates Caribbean culture and food and is brought to life by Sandhya Prabhat's beautiful artwork.