The Best Jollof Rice Ever!
Onyinye Iwu
Otter-Barry Books

Meet Kamsi and Kwame, best friends, each of whom declares that jollof rice is their favourite food and that their respective mums make the best jollof. Jollof is a yummy, spicy rice and vegetable dish that originated in West Africa and is now known and enjoyed all over the world. To settle the matter Kamsi has a suggestion. “Let’s each make our own jollof and see which is really the best … “ Off they dash into the garden to start collecting ingredients. They both like playing tricks and each chooses judiciously, selecting items with that in mind. Kamsi adds some nettles to Kwame’s mix and Kwame puts a bright green caterpillar into Kamsi’s pot and both continue adding other ingredients – muddy puddle water, ants for spice and dried-up chewing gum.

A mess they each create for certain. Did they forget what the competition was supposed to be about – not the worst jollof assuredly.

Meanwhile the mums have been busy in the kitchen creating the boys’ favourite dish and invite them to come inside and assist.

This they do and then everyone sits round the table to share a meal. Mmmmm! It’s the best ever jollof. “See, alone we make good jollof …” Kwame’s mum says. “But together we make the best jollof! declares Kamsi’s mum. The boys agree – working together is THE way to go; even though playing an occasional trick on one another is fun.

Vibrantly illustrated, this is a truly tasty story cooked up by Onyinye Iwu for whom it’s her first book as author/ illustrator. My mouth’s watering at the thought of that collaborative dish. I’ll have to try the recipe on the final page.