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Bok Bok dishes up bhorta book from Rahman and Huq
Bok Bok Books has scooped Bhorta Bhorta Baby, a baby board book about the traditional Bengali dish bhorta, by Jumana Rahman and illustrated by Maryam Huq.
Rumana Yasmin, founder of the Middlesbrough independent publisher, acquired world rights directly from the author and illustrator. The board book will be published on 21st November 2023.
Bhorta Bhorta Baby introduces young readers to the popular Bengali dish made of spicy mashed potatoes and vegetables with "playful" rhyming text and "bright and colourful" illustrations revealing the sights, sounds and flavours of South Asian cuisine.
“When Jumana approached me to illustrate Bhorta Bhorta Baby, I knew it was the start of something special," said Huq. "It was truly a joy to work on a book that I relate to so strongly and I experienced waves of nostalgia when gathering inspiration for each page."
The synopsis reads: "There’s aloo bhorta being made here! Join in for some chopping, frying, mixing and squashing to prepare this yummy South Asian dish of spicy mashed potatoes. This is going to be the best ever mashy, squishy potato party!"
Yasmin commented: "My aim when setting up Bok Bok books was to share my love of Bangladeshi culture and create a list for children of all ages, growing a community of authors and illustrators of Bengali heritage. It was a pleasure to read this sweet poem about the traditional mash potato dish bhorta and then be able to nurture and work with debut talents Jumana and Maryam to bring it to life."
Rahman said: "Ask any Bangladeshi- there isn’t anything as delicious and sensory as bhorta. The poem itself flew right out of me, and I hope it has the rhythm and bounce that little ones want to read again and again. As a celebration of a small bite-sized piece of Bengali culture, I hope I get to share that experience with each family that reads it."
