This is a beautiful story! The descriptions of food are amazing and you can feel the love of family and friendship just leap off the page. The illustrations beautifully illustrate the words. This would make a wonderful read aloud book for the classroom.

I absolutely loved this. From page 1 it completely took me away to this little girls house. I could smell the curry while I was reading it. The illustrations were incredible and the descriptions were delicious. I am a librarian and will absolutely make sure my library gets this book. I can't wait to make the recipe. Thank you for your hard work on this story.

An enjoyable, sweet story sharing cultures among friends.

Well illustrated and easy to follow along.

**Thank you to NetGalley and Astra Publishing House | Astra Young Readers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review**

First of all, Geeta Ladi did an amazing job creating this cover! It is beautiful.

Shirin is eating curry one day when her friend, Charlotte, asks her about it. Shirin realizes she doesn't really know much about it either, so she asks her mom to explain. As Shirin's mom makes the curry, shows the girls all of the different spices, seeds, and other ingredients that can go into it. They learn that curry can mean so many different things.

The back of the book talks about common curry spices, and there is even a recipe for curry you can try!

Curry Means More is a a beautiful celebration of food, family, and identity, Written with stunning prose, small gasps of alliteration and onomatopoeia, and so much love, Maria Marianayagam has created a unique portrayal of a family recipe being so much more than just a recipe, so much more than just food. The inclusion of a friend, from a different familial and cultural background, makes this even accessible to all. We all have family recipes that come with memories, creativity, inspiration. The illustrations crackle and sizzle off the page inviting readers to lean into the sensory exploration and encourage readers to immediately head to the kitchen after reading. The backmatter information was a delight. This story would be excellent paired with Charlie Cart programs, especially during November, to cozy up and cook together.

Shirin tries to explain curry to her friend Charlotte, but finds that she can’t explain its magic. The girls head to Shirin’s house to learn all about curry from Amma. As Amma adds each ingredient to the pan, Shirin tries to define it by that ingredient, but finds that she just can’t do that. “Curry Means More” is a perfect title that encompasses everything that curry is for Shirin. The young cook finally decides that “curry was art–vibrant and magical.”

The end notes explain how the word curry came to be and how curry differs around the world. Author Maria Marianayagam explores some of the more common ingredients used across cultures and includes a recipe for Chicken Curry at the back. Geeta Ladi’s illustrations add to the story by making visual the aromas as the curry is put together.

This book would be great for kids who are interested in cooking and how flavors blend together to create magic. It would also be great for kids like Charlotte who don’t know what curry is, but are intrigued by the tangy, sweet, and spicy smells.

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and Astra Young Readers, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Not only did this book make me hungry, but it also made me feel warm and cozy. Beautiful illustrations. I can see using this in a classroom lesson about ethnic foods or different spices. I would also recommend it to a junior high class to read and then make the recipe in the school kitchen. I don't know if they still teach Home Economics.
The end pages with the information and recipe were a nice touch. Wonderful book. I highly recommend it.

This was so cool learning about others cultures food. I’ve had chicken curry before but I’m not too sure I’ve heard of any other type of curries. I really enjoyed seeing Shirin and her friend tried & learn about something based off their curiosity. The recipe in the back was AWESOME, I’ll for sure save that & try to make it. Whenever or if I do make it, I’ll report back my opinions lol.

Thank you NetGalley & Maria for the opportunity to read this Arc!

A very lovely book, also with information about the culture. The illustrations were amazing, detailed and beautiful.

There is something comforting about books that showcase other countries cultures, especially through food. That is one thing I love about Canada, especially Toronto with the wide array of restaurants and (better-yet) friends with empty dinner tables. I feel like as a Tamil Sri-Lankan Canadian, Maria Marianayagam, captures a beautiful story of heritage and pride- shaping the smell of curry not as something to be ashamed of, but as connection and comfort. The way the story reads is also perfect for starting conversations about recipes, spices, ingredients and family stories with your children.

It would be amiss not to also highlight the gorgeous illustrations by Geeta Ladi. The art style is comfort in itself. Vibrant but still warm and rich, I felt the steam, the tang of popping mustard seeds and the cool breeze of summer nights in my Grandparents gardens.

As an adult reader, I especially loved the breakdown of the history of 'curry,' the list of spices and the bonus recipe at the end! Any books that has immersive experiences makes a great pairing for reading to/ with children! When Shirin adds a bit of brown sugar to the dish also lets your children know they can be expressive when they cook and make it their own invention as well!

Curry Means More is a fantastic picture book about what curry is because when Shirin’s friend Charlotte asks, Shirin isn’t sure because there’s so many types of curry. I loved that Shirin and Charlotte learn what curry is by helping Shirin’s amma make some, and Shirin even gets to make it her own by adding some brown sugar. I loved the art and colors, and it felt like a wonderful warm hug kind of story.

Thank you Netgally for the ARC of this gorgeous picture book. The illustrations are amazing. I could stare at them for hours. This book is about a little girl who enjoys eating curry, but when a friend asks her, what curry is she realizes she’s not able to tell her. So they go back to her home and make some with her mom, who teaches them about the importance of curry. I really enjoyed reading this book and I think it’s an excellent addition to every classroom and home.

This book captures how food is important in a culture. It reminds me of the book Fry Bread with the way it explains how there is no one way to make curry. It also illustrates what it means to the family and the way it makes them feel when they eat it and make it together. The back matter told a lot about different spices, their uses, and what they taste like. The illustrations are beautiful. I will use this book when I’m teaching my students what culture means.

Maria is a Tamil Sri Lankan Canadian and Geeta is based in India, and each loves to make and eat several variations of curry with all its spicy flavors. But you don't have to come from that area to enjoy eating curry! Wonderful book!
The illustrations by Geeta Ladi are simple, perfect in bright colors, and definitely evoke the smells and look of the ingredients in the pot.
Well suited for reading WITH someone any age including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, but especially to a school, waiting room, or your local public library.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from Astra Publishing House | Astra Young Readers via NetGalley. Pub Date Oct 28, 2025 ***** review #goodreads #bookbub
#CurryMeansMore by @msmarianayagam and @geetaladi_illustration @astrapublishinghouse #NetGalley #storygraph #librarything #childrensbookillustration #kidlit #Parenting #family @childrensbookcouncil #BooksForKids #tastesofhome #ChildrensBooks #cooking #spices #recipe
#Tamil #SriLankanCanadian #friendship #love #sniffing #touching #tasting #creativity
#bookshop_org #bookshop_org_uk

Maria Marianayagam is fast becoming one of my favourite Canadian authors. Everything she writes is just pitch perfect, and this is no exception. Through lyrical prose, she explores the sensory delight of making curry, alongside metaphorical links to identity, culture and growth. The illustrations are warm and vibrant, and are a perfect pairing with the text. The back matter is as thorough as always, and a recipe inclusion is the key to my heart!

This will be a must have for all schools and libraries.

This is a well-written and fun book that answers the age-old question of what curry is. Maria's lyrical text and Geetha's beautiful, fun illustrations bring this book to life. I love the recipe at the back and will definitely be trying it.

I loved this sweet story about a sharing what curry is with a friend. My favorite part was when she was trying to think of how to explain what curry is to her friend and instead she just invites her over to enjoy her favorite food with her. This was so heart warming and sweet. A lovely tale about sharing what you love with your friends

a warm, vibrant, and familiar celebration that kids will adore! i love food art and the illustrations in this book were a delight to look at. the cooking scenes were real and cosy, and it also managed to promote creativity and inventiveness that are the core of so many of our recipes.

I loved this story! I was intrigued by the concept and loved how it played out. Sharing cultures is so beautiful and I think this book did a great job highlighting the beauty of Indian culture, since it is well known that curry is a huge part of Indian cuisine. I loved that there was a recipe at the end of the book, and that it explained many different spices that are typically included in Indian cooking. This book is so special, and the art was so beautiful!

Curry Means More by Maria Marianayagam was a sweet (and literally spicy) read on the fun questions children ask such as, "What is Curry?" Amma explains the many emotions, ingredients, culture, love, and more that make up a curry. That curry is more than just food. There is a wonderful recipe at the end for parents to cook with their children. The illustrations are beautiful. I recommended it for our local library to purchase. I plan to add it to our home library when it comes out as well. I received an eARC from Astra Publishing House through NetGalley. All opinions are 100% my own.

Curry Means More is an enchanting story that I am eager to share with my students. Amma prepares the most delightful curries for Shirin, but when Shirin's friend Charlotte inquires about the meaning of curry, it becomes evident that it represents far more than just food. Maria Marianayagam's description of the ingredients is truly captivating. This story serves as an excellent introduction to diverse cultures and offers a meaningful way to learn about others.

This book was GORGEOUS - the illustrations and the story which seemed to blossom like the seeds of inquiry. I especially love the recipe and information on each of the ingredients in curry in the backmatter.
ebook c/o NetGalley

Beautiful illustrations and a lovely story. Loved the recipe inclusion at the end, can't wait to try it!

The illustrations are absolutely beautiful and the story is very culturally informative. This picture book is great for schools to buy. I loved how the characters navigated the different ingredients with care and compassion. It really shows the beauty and value system that is often tied to the dishes we make at home.

This is a beautifully written and informational book! I always love reading kids' books about cooking food, but this is the first one I've read that is about curry specifically. I would say that I learned a lot about how curry is made, what it is exactly, and the different forms it can take. I think that, since I learned so much from reading this book, many little ones will learn a lot, too. Additionally, the main character's excitement and creativity when it comes to cooking is infectious, and readers will want to play around with spices and dishes in their own kitchens after reading this book. While the whimsical and magical written descriptions were phenomenal, they were really completed by the spectacular illustrations. The illustrator's use of shade, color, and light was very impressive and made for a rich and vibrant reading experience. Bravo!!

The book is billed as a cross between two picture books that I absolutely love. It is marketed as a cross between Fry Bread by ------ as well as Bilal Cooks Daal. I can definitely see the similarities with these books. All three of them focus on a food that is important to the protagonist culture and learning more about it.

The protagonist a little girl named Shirin is asked what curry is by her white friend Charlotte. However since Shirin has had so many different curries in her life she's not sure how to answer the question. So she goes with Charlotte to ask her mom for help defining what curry is.

The three of them then explore what curry is by cooking a curry together. The two girls have the chance to taste the many different ingredients that go into a curry. From curry leaves to mustard seeds they are in awe of the wonderful flavors and ingredients. They also watch with wonder as Shirin's mom cooks the curry with love and experience.

Throughout the afternoon the two girls learn that curry isn't just food. It can remind a person of home. Or that curry be a piece of wisdom shared between generations or provide and invitation to eat together.

Curry Means More shows the magic of a homecooked meal.

Review

This book is a beautiful and intricate introduction to Indian food. It showcases the wide variety of curries and their importance in South/East Asian culture. The book comes at the topic with a child's curiosity. It also shows how many unique ingredients are used to make a curry. It is drawing a metaphor about how different people can contribute to make something lovely.

The illustrations are gorgeous and the colors are bright and vibrant and can compliment the story wonderfully. You are taken into Shirin's world and can almost smell the curry yourself due to the vivid descriptions.

I'd most definitely give this book five stars. It is a great introduction to Indian food for children who may not know anything about it. It is also a great mirror for children who eat curry in their homes.

One of my favorite parts of the book is at the end where they include the history of curry. They then provide a family recipe and talk more about the ingredients.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me early access to this book. Do any of you read picture books? If so what are some of your favorites? I particularly enjoy books about food and different cultures.

This was such a wonderful cultural story about the ingredients of curry, and how under Amma's tutelage, Shirin and her friend can learn to see how cooking can be an art and a science. The illustrations and descriptions made the story come to life. I was hungry after reading this! I especially loved that the author included a recipe. I would love to try the recipe myself!

Thank you, NetGalley and Astra Publishing House, for the early copy for an honest review.

This book almost made me cry because it clearly was created with love and passion. It is a wonderful book that will not only be relevant in our school libraries but also bring awareness to an incredible dish, curry. It will help our kids learn about the cultures of their classmates and broaden their horizons.

The illustrations are incredible, colorful, and will captivate young readers. There are many great sentences like, "Curry tasted like roaring lions, with the sweet melodies of songbirds," or "Each and every mouthful, a whisper of love." This book will be an amazing addition to our school library collection and serve as a valuable resource for future lessons to support our curriculum. It would be a dream come true to meet the author and have her present the book at our school.

The "What is Curry?" pages added an extra layer of awesomeness by providing more information on spices, the history of curry, and even a recipe for families to make at home.

A lovely, illustrated picture book about not only celebrates well loved spice but the joy of cooking together with family and the traditions that it brings.

Beautiufl. The illustrations, the story, the dynamics. WOW. I just love this book so much.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publlisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book beautifully describes curry from start to finish through rich sensory details and vivid imagery. It perfectly captures the aroma, taste, and heartwarming essence of curry. The illustrations radiate warmth and movement, adding so much life to each page. I also loved the informative section at the end explaining what curry is, along with the recipe. This would be a perfect read-aloud in the classroom!

Book Review: Curry Means More by Maria Marianayagam (Author), Geeta Ladi (Illustrator)

Rating: 5 Stars

I loved Curry Means More — it’s one of those picture books that stays with you long after you close it. The cover alone drew me in, and the inside more than lived up to that first promise: warm, detailed illustrations and a story that feels like a hug from the inside out.

The plot is simple and perfect. When Charlotte asks Shirin “What is curry?” Shirin realizes she can’t point to one single answer. She’s tried so many different curries—each with its own scent, texture, and story—that “curry” becomes something bigger than a recipe. So Shirin’s mom invites Charlotte over to help make a curry, and the afternoon becomes a sensory lesson. The girls sniff curry leaves, roll mustard seeds in their palms, and watch Shirin’s mom measure with care and intuition. Through the cooking and the shared moments, curry reveals itself as more than food: it’s the smell of home, a handed-down wisdom, a canvas for creativity, and ultimately, a way to show love.

I adored the way the book captures how food carries memory and meaning. Shirin’s reflections—how a spice or a whiff of steam can tug her toward dance, family stories, and far-off places—are quietly beautiful. The illustrations are gorgeous, helping the reader feel the warmth of the kitchen, the texture of spices, and the gentle intimacy between mother, daughter, and friend.

I also appreciated the practical and educational back matter. The book closes by introducing readers to the history of curries, a little guide to spices, and even a family recipe based on the dish in the story. That makes the book not only emotionally satisfying but also delightfully useful: you can read it, feel inspired, and then head to the kitchen to try making something similar.

Bottom line: Curry Means More is a tender celebration of how food connects us—to family, to culture, and to each other. It’s a lovely reminder that dishes change from region to region and house to house, and that those differences are part of the joy. Food is love, and this book serves that message with warmth, humor, and beautiful art. Highly recommend. Five stars.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️