I feel like Ineed to write the Very Best Review of The Very Best Doughnut. because
this book – part of Pan Macmillan’s Our Stories series celebrating
multiculturalism – is quite delicious in all the Very Best of Ways.
Fridays are
doughnut days in Adam’s family, so he takes an iced doughnut to school for
morning tea. Except when it’s Ramadan. Because then, the older members of his family
do not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset.
So today is
Friday and Adam has a problem. He is determined to be like the rest of his
family and fast from sunup to sundown, even though his mother thinks he’s too
young and should wait a couple of years. But the real issue is, can Adam
actually wait ALL DAY for his very special doughnut?
Young readers
will truly love this book. It is funny, bold, messy and contains a lot of very interesting
information about self-discipline and Ramadan (also, a couple of equally-important
references to bums and farting). We learn that Muslims fast to know what it’s
like to not have enough to eat, and that Ramadan is a time for doing nice
things for other people – like giving away your Pokemon cards.
Adam is a normal,
likeable kid, with a big sister who’s sometimes mean and sometimes nice. I love that he and his best mate both
sit with their bums in the bathroom sinks at recess (on hot days). And, that we
are introduced to many excellent words, such as konofa (which is my
second-favourite after doughnut). I also really wanted to high-five Adam that
time when he resisted the urge to secretly take a lick of his sandwich as he
walked past it.
The illustrations
with their delightful and blobby, fountain-pen type feel, are perfect. They
show Adam’s family and friends, his doughnuts and his daydreams. These
double-page illustration spreads that break up the large and sometimes crazy
words and writing, are very engaging on the page.
Written for
children 5 years and up, this early chapter book introduces enduring themes
such as strength and self-determination. This book and indeed this series, is a
gift for children from all cultures. Who doesn’t love to see themselves
represented in print. NO-ONE! Except perhaps for those who can resist the lure
of an iced doughnut.
So. Does Adam
manage to not eat his doughnut until sundown? Well, that would be telling.
Highly
recommended.
Title: The Very Best Doughnut
Author: Randa Abdel-Fattah
Illustrator: Amani Haydar
Publisher: Pan Macmillan, $12.99
Publication Date: July 26,2022
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781760988906
For ages: 5+
Type: Junior Fiction
