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Papa’s Butter Chicken

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Book Synopsis

A gorgeous picture book celebration of family, community and the dishes that unite as all – with a special foreword from Konnie Huq!

Monica’s Papa is making his famous butter chicken, and Monica can’t wait to help him prepare it! As Monica helps Papa cook, he tells her stories of his childhood in Delhi: how he ate this dish with his father, of love and laughter, family and friendships – all beautiful bonds forged through sharing and built around the dinner table. But when the butter chicken is ready, everyone starts to turn up at the door with their own dish. Monica is suddenly sad. She’s not sure she wants to share her butter chicken, or her Papa! But Papa gently reassures Monica that the love he has for her is the strongest of all.

This warm and inspiring book delivers a heartfelt message about sharing and community in an innovative way, with gorgeous illustrations by Abeeha Tariq. Monica Saigal’s sumptuous story about the special bond between a father and his daughter celebrates Monica’s own Indian heritage and memories of making food with her family. Children who enjoyed Little Glow by Katie Sahota and Harry Woodgate, Hey, Wall by Susan Verde and John Parra, and Welcome to Our Table by Laura Mucha, Ed Smith and Harriet Lynas will love Papa’s Butter Chicken.

Our Review Panel says...

This simple story, of a favourite dish first eaten in India and later recreated to perfection by Monica’s father, is as much a delight to the eye as butter chicken is to all those who share it (Cousin Anya, Uncle Jai, Grandma, Jiya and Hadi, and the neighbours too). And it’s not sickly sweet: Anya struggles, as would many, young or old, with the prospect of sharing: she wanted to keep what was so special between her and Papa. But it becomes clear to her and us that “beautiful things do happen when you share food like this.”

Hospitality doesn’t diminish the experience; it enhances it, like spices in a pan. Each guest adds a new flavour to the mix; each has something to bring to the occasion.

A heartwarming and celebratory tale which could well prompt other children to delve into their own family’s culinary and/or cultural history. There could well be some lively discussion around food and family life as a result.