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Thai-Riffic!
Albert (Lengy) Lengviriyakul, is fed up with being Thai. His parents own a Thai restaurant with the cheesy name of Thai-riffic! and Lengy is sick of being his father's curry guinea pig, longing to just eat pizza! At school he is a bit of a troublemaker, going to any lengths to hide his background. But when his best friend decides to become Thai for a day for a school project, Lengy stubbornly comes to the realization that there may just be some pretty cool things about his culture.
208 pages, Paperback
First published May 31, 2010
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266 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
June 24, 2011
Sensitively written, Thai-riffic tells the story of Lengy, Australian born, but of Thai descent. Very funny and articulately written. Some lovely anecdotes. Although it targets adolescents, it also works on an adult level. If anyone wanted insight into what it is like to be Australian but saddled with a migrant's background that is sometimes not appreciated when you are an adolescent, this is a book you should read. It is a quick read for adults and the narrative moves at a quick and humorous pace, making it very appealing for children. I am an English teacher and would recommend this to any teacher, particularly English teachers. Apart from being a heartwarming read, it is the sort of book that you will want to buy as a class set and use to teach some really important lessons, the themes being universal, including acceptance of differences, particularly cultural ones. It would be particularly appropriate for schools lacking cultural diversity. This is not just a story about a "Thai" boy, it is about kids that might FEEL they are different for whatever reason. Lots to learn, lots to laugh at. So nice to read a book that targets kids that is not trite, and really has something to say.
September 25, 2016
Fun story of a young Thai Australian boy as he embarks on middle school amongst the embarrassment of being the son of a Thai restaurant owner who is shameless in his promotion of his wares. Fortunately all's well end's well and all his teachers and classmates end up loving the food and embracing his heritage.
Definitely a feel good cultural melting pot story
Definitely a feel good cultural melting pot story
April 29, 2017
This book is all about Lengy and his battle with cultural identity. But, there are so many cheesy jokes!!! However, pushing the cheesy jokes aside this book has a strong message, I probably wouldn't recommend it though, because I just didn't really connect with the book.
August 7, 2016
Also reviewed on my Youtube channel.
Okay, first of all, this has 190 pages, not 144. But whatever.
A quick and easy-to-read middle grade book, I flew through this one. Albert Lengviriyakul is sick of being Thai and eating Thai food every single day. He just wants to be a normal Aussie kid who eats meat pies and chips and whose mother doesn't buy toilet paper in bulk at the $2 Shop, and he doesn't understand why all his classmates and his little brother think Thai food and Thai culture are so great.
The book tells the story of Albert's first few terms at high school, but it reads more like a series of short stories than anything. Each chapter is effectively its own self contained story, and while there are characters and themes that pop up again and again, you could basically read the chapters in any order and still get the gist of how Albert's attitude towards his Thai heritage changes over time.
It's essentially a book aimed at 10-13 year old boys - I borrowed it from the primary school library where I work, and it's especially popular with the year 4s and 5s - so there's a fair bit of burping and farting and vomiting going on, which you'd expect given the intended age group. It's a pretty funny book. I laughed out loud several times, so I can imagine that kids in late primary or early secondary would find it absolutely hilarious. The little cartoons scattered throughout the story were a fun touch.
Not the type of book that I'd usually read, but still enjoyable.
Okay, first of all, this has 190 pages, not 144. But whatever.
A quick and easy-to-read middle grade book, I flew through this one. Albert Lengviriyakul is sick of being Thai and eating Thai food every single day. He just wants to be a normal Aussie kid who eats meat pies and chips and whose mother doesn't buy toilet paper in bulk at the $2 Shop, and he doesn't understand why all his classmates and his little brother think Thai food and Thai culture are so great.
The book tells the story of Albert's first few terms at high school, but it reads more like a series of short stories than anything. Each chapter is effectively its own self contained story, and while there are characters and themes that pop up again and again, you could basically read the chapters in any order and still get the gist of how Albert's attitude towards his Thai heritage changes over time.
It's essentially a book aimed at 10-13 year old boys - I borrowed it from the primary school library where I work, and it's especially popular with the year 4s and 5s - so there's a fair bit of burping and farting and vomiting going on, which you'd expect given the intended age group. It's a pretty funny book. I laughed out loud several times, so I can imagine that kids in late primary or early secondary would find it absolutely hilarious. The little cartoons scattered throughout the story were a fun touch.
Not the type of book that I'd usually read, but still enjoyable.
January 7, 2019
I really like Phommavanh's enthusiasm and sense of humor. I like the idea for the story. I like the way the characters interact. I think I struggled with it the same way I struggled with Kinney's DWK series. I found myself wanting more depth. A lot of my boy students were drawn to Phommavanh's books, and I really like them for that reason, but they don't really do it for me as a reader.
July 15, 2018
I speak Thai and English. I had difficulty reading the Thai words that's been written in English. The way it wrote isn't the way it should be pronounced. Even when the mother talks to Lengy. I couldn't completly understand. It wasn't extremely funny but it made me giggle sometimes.
September 10, 2022
3.5 stars. I really enjoyed this kids book, read by the author which is a treat too, so great audio book. Pokes fun at himself and family in a really kind way. Love listening to authentic voices from other experiences, so not exoticized but grounded Australian ways for many people from different backgrounds and places. Gotta be good for us as a nation to hear and embrace these stories
May 26, 2017
This book was okay, it really didn't interest me with all the cheesy jokes throughout. I didn't really connect with the book either. I probably wouldn't recommend this book because I didn't really like it.
August 26, 2018
Great fun read about being a Thai in Australia and the son of 2 outstanding Thai cooks as well. But Lengy doesn’t like the fact that everyone just likes him for his Thai food!!! Thai- riffic is sometimes embarrassing. In this story the family prepares for a holiday back in Thailand
July 17, 2017
Funny and relate-able book
January 28, 2018
It was interesting
May 30, 2018
A funny episodic book for young readers. Situational-comedy style, fast paced. I'm not sure there was quite enough bridging the stories together, but nonetheless, enjoyable.
June 14, 2018
.......
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2018
In the Wimpy Kid style genre this has appeal to third culture kids as it explores the conflicts teens go through as they try to fit in to and understand a culture and society that isn’t their own.
July 23, 2018
A great read! Loved it almost as much as Con-Nerd. A brilliant and funny peak into the young teenage psyche.
December 4, 2018
great story
October 5, 2019
good.
August 7, 2020
This is a very entertaining short story that was fun to read.
November 11, 2022
The story about Albert’s mum speaking only Thai in the Thai restaurant was painfully accurate 😂
August 24, 2025
This author has pled guilty to give charges of grooming minors. Do not support him.
October 28, 2019
this is arguably the most relatable book i have ever read, and i'm glad that this book is available for other thai-australian kids who need to see themselves in some form of media. while this book could be seriously, seriously cheesy at times, i felt understood by it. i felt seen, and i think that's why i adored this so much.
October 24, 2011
Adolescents often have difficulty coming to terms with their family's peculiarities; ethnic children sometimes more so. Add bullying and teasing into the equation and there's a ripe cauldron of self-consciousness brewing.
Albert, or 'Lingy' as he becomes known is the Australian-born older son of Thai parents who own a restaurant, Thai - riffic. We follow Lingy and his family through their hilarious adventures, as Lingy slowly comes to realise that his parents are not too embarrassing after all, that Thai food actually tastes good, and that his heritage is something to be proud of.
This is a funny, sometimes poignant story of a second generation Australian, lightened by the beautifully drawn parents who work hard, love and want the best for their kids, seemingly oblivious to the psychological turmoil that Oliver faces. A great read for 10 - 13 year olds.
Albert, or 'Lingy' as he becomes known is the Australian-born older son of Thai parents who own a restaurant, Thai - riffic. We follow Lingy and his family through their hilarious adventures, as Lingy slowly comes to realise that his parents are not too embarrassing after all, that Thai food actually tastes good, and that his heritage is something to be proud of.
This is a funny, sometimes poignant story of a second generation Australian, lightened by the beautifully drawn parents who work hard, love and want the best for their kids, seemingly oblivious to the psychological turmoil that Oliver faces. A great read for 10 - 13 year olds.
February 24, 2015
Thai-riffic is a fantastically funny story written from the perspective of the young son of Thai immigrants and restaurant owners. The novel is very readable, making it a perfect read for below and at Stage 4 readers. Boys, in particular, will enjoy the humour and context of this novel. Thai-riffic is set in the Western suburbs of Sydney, in the family restaurant and at Albert's school. His eccentric mother, father and Year 7 roll-call teacher provide the backdrop for Albert's emotional adolescence. Phommavanh uses puns mercilessly to describe each new predicament in which he finds himself. Although they are bad puns, they are very funny. In terms of themes and ideas, Thai-riffic examines family relationships, school and relationships with peers, multicultural Australia and community. This short novel is well-worth a quick read - you'll enjoy it.
September 13, 2012
I just can't hold back from saying "Thai-riffic" is a terrific book! I know, I'm sure I could have come up with something better but the book just begs to be described using said adjective.
Oliver Phommavanh has managed to capture the experience of many Australian children growing up in immigrant families. He has achieved a balance between a sensitive exploration of the challenges of children facing identity issues with humour that had me with tears of laughter exploding out of my tear-ducts. I also wish that Mr Winfree had been my teacher at high school.
I can highly recommend this book for children from ethnic families, boys who are reluctant readers, and of course those of us who need brilliant examples of writing for children.
Oliver Phommavanh has managed to capture the experience of many Australian children growing up in immigrant families. He has achieved a balance between a sensitive exploration of the challenges of children facing identity issues with humour that had me with tears of laughter exploding out of my tear-ducts. I also wish that Mr Winfree had been my teacher at high school.
I can highly recommend this book for children from ethnic families, boys who are reluctant readers, and of course those of us who need brilliant examples of writing for children.
November 22, 2014
A great book that I imagine really captures some of the frustrations and joys of growing up with parents who run a small business like a restaurant. The author captures the young teens "voice" really well and late primary/early high school kids will identify with it easily. Especially those from south western Sydney, given the references to Fairfield etc a nice touch for his current students!
I would happily read this to my primary school class and I think it would appeal to the wimpy kid crowd, but give them an Aussie flavor.
I tracked down punchlines straight away and now need to find his other two books as well. A great new Aussie kids author!
I would happily read this to my primary school class and I think it would appeal to the wimpy kid crowd, but give them an Aussie flavor.
I tracked down punchlines straight away and now need to find his other two books as well. A great new Aussie kids author!
May 19, 2011
A nice, easy-reading story about being second generation multicultural in Australia. Some years ago it might have been a Greek or Italian boy telling this story. Albert Leng, or Lengy as he's known at school, just wants to eat burgers or pizzas, something not so easy when your parents run the local Thai restaurant - and worse, everybody, teachers and students alike, just loves Thai food, the spicier the better - and even your little brother enjoys all this Thai cultural stuff.
July 13, 2013
This book has been especially recommended as suitable for for boys in the years 4 to 7 grade level range. I think that it would be fun to watch the faces of children enjoying reading this book with its quirky, cute, cartoon-like characters. And of course the cooking theme is quite topical these days. Lots of fun to be had when studying this book at school I am sure. I would love to visit Thailand one day.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews