By Nana Abena Asantewaa Agyeman-Bugyei Reviewed by Fuvi Kloku
In Abena and Her Friday Jollof, Nana Abena Asantewaa Agyeman-Bugyei gifts us more than a children’s story, she offers a cultural feast, a tender reminder of how food anchors memory, identity, and belonging.
The book opens with a foreword that sets the tone: a dedication to family and diaspora children, urging them to find warmth in their roots and pride in their stories. This is not a casual preface; it is a manifesto of love and cultural continuity.
The narrative follows young Abena on a Friday, her school bag heavy with assignments yet her spirit light with anticipation. While she dreams of pizza or hamburgers, Abena’s heart is firmly tethered to her mother’s Ghanaian kitchen. Her longing for jollof rice and fried chicken becomes the thread that ties the story together, weaving in diversions to other African dishes enjoyed during the week.
What makes this book remarkable is its dual purpose. It is at once a children’s tale, 4 to 8 years, rendered in large fonts and vivid illustrations that delight the eye, and a cultural archive. Abena’s participation in her mother’s cooking is not merely domestic; it is pedagogical, teaching young readers that heritage is preserved through practice. The inclusion of a jollof rice recipe at the end is both generous and symbolic: it transforms the reader from observer to participant, inviting families and food enthusiasts to recreate the flavors that animate the story.
The book’s release on November 22, 2025, comes at a time when diaspora communities are increasingly seeking ways to transmit culture across generations. In this context, Abena and Her Friday Jollof is more than literature,it is a bridge.
Nana Abena Asantewaa Agyeman-Bugyei succeeds in tailoring her work for children , while simultaneously speaking to adults who understand the deeper resonance of food and culture. The colorful illustrations and accessible language ensure that young readers are captivated, while the cultural depth ensures that parents and educators find meaning in its pages.
Ultimately, this book is a celebration of identity. It reminds us that in every pot stirred, in every recipe passed down, there is history, pride, and joy. Abena’s Friday jollof is not just a meal, it is a metaphor for the enduring warmth of home, even across oceans.
My Verdict: A delightful, dignified, and culturally rich children’s book that nourishes both heart and heritage.
Available now on Amazon
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