#479 - Biji’s in the Kitchen
by Natasha Sharma and illustrated by Sonal Gupta
“Biji’s in the Kitchen” by Natasha Sharma and illustrated by Sonal Gupta. Published by Duckbill. A delightful story of an unusual Biji (grandmother) whose presence in the kitchen is dreaded by everyone at home.
The story is narrated by a little girl. When her Biji enters the kitchen, it is quite an event at home. One might wonder what is is so special about that. Not when they know what Biji is capable of doing in the kitchen. The dishes she cooks can be quite difficult to eat. Most of the things she cooks are hard to swallow. The girl wonders if she should politely come up with an excuse to not eat. That wouldn’t work as she would be given either Khichdi or turmeric milk if she tried that. Well, what else could she do? Looked like there was no way out other than trying Biji’s food. If only it was food similar to what others grandmothers cooked!
Though cooking isn’t Biji’s strong point, she is good at other things. She is super cool. She can ride a bike and take the girl through all the narrow streets of their city (Amritsar). She knows where exactly all the famous food joints are. Despite the girl trying to get her to follow recipes while cooking, Biji believes that cooking has to be freestyle and fun. But she does get way too creative at times and everyone has no choice but to try the unusual combinations that she comes up with while cooking. She herself knows that cooking isn’t her cup of tea, but she is such a sport and never gives up. Will Biji ever be able to cook something nice? Does her idea of freestyle and fun ever click? Read the heartwarming book of the most endearing Biji and her little accomplice in all her adventures in the kitchen to know more about them.
The characters of Biji and the little girl instantly won our hearts. The charming illustrations made the story come alive. Biji’s carefree spirit of never giving up and being creative was quite infectious but we were as sceptical as the sportive little girl as to what she would dish out next. The vibrant nature of Amritsar and its food loving people comes out beautifully in the book. It was a trip down memory lane for us to spot the iconic Gian di Lassi shop in the story. And the humour comes out so well just like some of the other books by Natasha Sharma that we have read. What I loved is the message that comes across that all grandmothers need not necessarily be good cooks contrary to usual representations. They might have other talents and strengths. The book is part of the “hook book” series by Duckbill and well suited for children who are beginning to read on their own. The fairly large sized text along with pictures are very helpful in making the gradual transition to chapter books with lesser pictures.
Recommended Age
The book is apt for children aged 5/6 and above.
Disclaimer - We received these books from the publisher, Penguin India (Duckbill), for review. Thank you to Mansi, from Penguin, for sending across the books!