A sweet and delicious early chapter book, Alina in a Pinch by Shenaaz Nanji will have readers salivating for delicious home cooked meals made with love.

Alina has moved to a new neighbourhood which means she’s not surrounded by her diverse community anymore. On top of that, her parents are called away to Kenya to help a sick relative. Luckily, Alina has Nani to stay with her, Nani who cooks the most delicious food! She is self conscious about the Afro-Indian food she packs for lunch and even received a cruel note from a classmate making her feel bad. She struggles to find her place at her new school.

Shenaaz Nanji has crafted an interesting story perfectly situated in the now. She speaks to young readers in their language incorporating a love for food and influencing in the story. I really liked how Alina is a budding foodie and content creator, teaching people all about the delicious Afro-Indian cuisine that her Nani so lovingly prepares everyday. The joy that exudes from the pages when readers experience Nani and Alina together in the kitchen is infectious.

Food can be so contentious at school. It’s a tale as old as time really. If they are so inclined, children can find anything to exert their power over others and food seems to be the easiest thing to target. One cruel comment can make a child feel incredibly self conscious about their food and feel othered. Alina’s story is very common and many children will understand the experience. I appreciated the creative ways that Alina disposed of her unwanted Indian lunches and the reaction by her classmates when they were found. It was such a wonderful surprise.

Alina finds her people early on making the story joyful and heartwarming even though she is still feeling sad and self conscious about her lunches while also going about finding the bully in ways that get her into trouble. The story is a wonderful reminder about all the different delicious food explorations out there.

The illustrations by Beena Mistry are a wonderful addition to the story. I really love when early chapter books have a few illustrations to break up the text for the readers just starting to experience longer stories. Their cover illustration is eye catching and leapt off bookshelves encouraging us to pick up the story and the interior illustrations are wonderfully graphic and loving.