The British Book Awards

Z – short for Zero, since he speaks no words at school – is bullied and teased, and doesn’t really fit in; his passion for rapping means that he finds it difficult to talk without rhyming his words and this can lead him into trouble. Then Mr G, a teacher who seems to understand Z, introduces him to beatboxing new pupil Essef – SFX for short – who also prefers not to speak, relying instead on pointing to phrases on her decorative jacket badges. The two quickly bond, especially as Mr G wants them to audition as a duo for the upcoming famous Rap Rumble competition but there is always the shadow of Bully Boy – Z’s nemesis – hanging over them.

The book has a straightforward storyline and much of the narrative is taken up with Z talking to you, the reader, who he terms ‘my G’. There is plenty of child-level humour – for example the main character picks his nose and flicks it at someone and there is some toilet humour.

This book has themes of friendship, acceptance and bullying. It has a main character wearing a hijab, featuring different family dynamics (parents separated), and states that other kinds of families are ‘cool’.

Written by ex-primary teacher turned viral video celebrity MC Grammar, this is the kind of book that many children will love to pick up – even those who are not usually drawn to chapter books. Funny and entertaining, but also thought-provoking, this story works independently or aloud. In terms of reading the story aloud – the book is full of street words e.g. sick, bro/bruh, garms, barz, and would be brilliant if read by an adult reader happy to embrace the street vernacular. The story also encourages literacy and reading in one of the latter chapters as potential rappers must have a great vocabulary to find the words to create rhymes about their interests. There are many pages where you can fill in your own rapping ideas and a section with hints and tips for writing your rap.

There’s nothing like good home-cooked food to fill a child with delight. This vibrantly illustrated book – from the front cover onwards – presents an endearing close-up look at celebrating other cultures, taking pride in one’s own, and also sharing – all through the realm of rice.

Shane loves his rice and peas, and is does look enticing, steaming hot with its scent wafting into his living room, and the most ultra-super-duper litany of adjectives to describe it. The illustrations take us from Shane’s domestic life, complete with notices on the fridge and a stash of tinned tomatoes behind proud mum, to his visions of grandiosity after eating the best rice in the world.

But what’s wonderful is the careful insertion of family heritage – a recipe passed down through generations, with its own secret ingredient of pimento seeds. All is well with Shane. Until lunchtime at school, and Yinka’s claim that her Jollof rice is the best. Illustrator Oginni could not convey the emotions of small children more strongly. Shane and Yinka’s standoff is one of the best I’ve seen in a picture book. But that’s not it. In this ultimate battle of food, everyone joins in, proclaiming their own rice is best – risotto, paella, pilau and more. The resolution, of course, is a tasting and sharing, but there’s also a beautiful little twist.

An absolute zinger of a picture book, showing that food and culture and heritage is diverse, and is to be shared and celebrated.