Home › African American & Black › Emeka, Eat Egusi!

Emeka, Eat Egusi!

by Candice Iloh Publisher: ATHENEUM BOOKS

Critically Recognized

A familiar favorite meets a new family recipe

Regular price $18.74 USD
Regular price $31.24 USD Sale price $18.74 USD
Save 40%

Hardcover New English

Delivery to your door
In stock·Dispatches in 1–2 business days
Standard shipping* from $4.35
Standard shipping transit* 5–8 business days after dispatch

Faster options are available.

Rates and delivery estimates depend on your destination and item quantity. Estimates are informational only; the final shipping method and rate are selected at checkout.

Secure checkout
American Express Apple Pay DiscoverGoogle Pay Mastercard PayPalVisa
30-day eligible returns Returns & refunds policy

Awards & Recognition

  • Critical praise

    Publishers Weekly starred review

    Starred review; described as “jovial...heartfelt.”

AlbakiReads Editorial

A familiar favorite meets a new family recipe

Emeka, who is on the autism spectrum, relies on jollof rice as his everyday favorite while his parents invite him to try egusi, a traditional Nigerian dish. The turning point comes in the kitchen: helping Mama prepare the meal gives Emeka a chance to encounter its colors, smells, and sounds step by step. Candice Iloh’s picture book brings food, family participation, and openness to new experiences together, with Nigerian home cooking at the heart of the story.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Children ages 4–8 who enjoy family-centered picture books
  • Families interested in stories about Nigerian food and home cooking
  • Young readers exploring new experiences, including through sensory details

Themes

Family and cooking togetherNigerian food traditionsTrying new thingsAutism and sensory experience

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

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?
Shipping & returnsShipping options, delivery timing, and our return policy.

In-stock items normally dispatch within 1–2 business days. The ZIP-code estimator on this page is informational only; the final shipping method, price, and availability are confirmed at checkout for your full order.

For the initial delivery estimate we use these transit windows after dispatch: Standard 5–8 business days, Expedited 2–4 business days, and Priority 1–2 business days. Holiday delays are not included.

Eligible items can be returned within 30 days in accordance with our return policy.

Customer reviews

M
AlbakiReads
Malaika Taylor

I highly recommend to for anyone looking for inner clarity

T
AlbakiReads
Thomas DiMassa

Great service and fast service

Great shopping experience! The book arrived quickly, was well packaged, and matched the description perfectly. I would definitely shop with you again

O
AlbakiReads
Olivia

Smooth.