Emeka, Eat Egusi!
-
- Pre-Order
-
- Expected Mar 17, 2026
-
- $14.99
Publisher Description
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?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Iloh (Salt the Water), making their picture book debut, and Jackson (Summer Is Here) serve up a jovial story about a child who resists trying a new food. Young Emeka is accustomed to his days' flow: being picked up from school by brother Ebuka, choosing an orange object from ingredients on the kitchen counter, and enjoying jollof rice for dinner. Though his family encourages him to try Mama's egusi, he repeats, "Orange rice, please" until Mama gives in. One day, Mama invites Emeka into the kitchen to assist her ("Emeka beams. He knows that he's a great helper"). There, he gathers pantry components, watches his mother add items to the pot, and becomes curious about the duo's creation: "Mommy, what's that?! he asks again and again." And when Papa later asks, "Emeka, what are we doing tonight?!" the child's proud reply—"WE ARE EATING EGUSI!"—rings with triumph. 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. An author's note and recipe conclude. Ages 4–8. Author's agent: Patricia Nelson, Marsal Lyon Literary. Illustrator's agent: Lori Nowicki. Painted Words.
