Review by Booklist Review
Kofi is filled with dread when his teacher reminds the class about the upcoming potluck to which all the students are to contribute a dish that represents their culture. Kofi's family is from Ghana, but he was born in America and feels less connected to Ghana. Preparation of a cultural meal will take time, and Kofi's nanabarima, or grandfather, volunteers to take him to the market for the ingredients that will "speak to us." Bewildered, Kofi tags along, and the trip to a market turns into a cultural lesson for Kofi and readers alike. Nanabarima knows all the types of plantains and rice and spices and how they are grown and harvested and utilized. He also tells of the brutal history of enslavement and the ways people resisted and maintained their traditions. Kofi comes away with a sense of pride in his heritage and a steaming pot of jollof rice to share with his class. Sankofa effectively introduces readers to food as a way of connecting people.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1--3--The potluck is Monday, which means students need to "bring a dish that best represents [their] family's culture." Kofi worries his home food is "so different from all the dishes." It makes him feel "as if he didn't belong." Kofi's parents and grandfather are immigrants from Ghana where he's never been. His parents can't help with the cooking that weekend, but his Nanbarima (grandfather) steps in, taking Kofi to the market where the ingredients help connect him to his heritage. Kofi shares jollof with his class, and also "the story of his people, of the dish, and of his African culture." Top Chef--featured Adjepong draws on his own Ghanaian American background to create his debut picture book--which he also invitingly, gently reads. VERDICT Lala Watkins's vivid art further highlights important details (market stalls, history, clothing) which makes pairing audio with print highly recommended.
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
In this picture book from Top Chef finalist Adjepong, a Ghanaian American boy frets about a school potluck. The students have been asked to bring in dishes from their families' cultures, but Kofi worries his classmates won't enjoy the food he brings in. So he keeps quiet about the potluck until the last minute. Kofi's parents don't have time to help, so Kofi's Nanabarima (grandfather) takes him to the market. There, Kofi hears shoppers speaking in Twi, and Nanabarima tells him that the various foods from their culture have stories all their own, like Carolina Gold rice, brought to America by enslaved Africans who secretly braided it into their hair. Though Kofi, born in the United States, has never been to Ghana, he feels immersed in his culture. He confides that he felt ashamed of being different, but Nanabarima emboldens him to take pride in his heritage. At home, Nanabarima shows Kofi a cookbook titled Sankofa, a reference to the Twi saying "Sankofa w'onkyir" ("we must look back into the past for traditions and stories that have been left behind"), and the two set about preparing for the potluck. Adjepong has crafted a delectable story that blends food history and Ghanaian culture. Watkins' graphic-style illustrations are full of subtle details that complement the narrative, adding texture and warmth. A celebration of food and culture that reminds youngsters to look back as they move forward. (recipe for jollof rice) (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
