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A Julia Child Children's Book
Tall, gangly Julia Child with her bird voice and oversized appetite was a character tailor-made for a children's book. At last, she has made her debut in Jessie Hartland's illustrated story of her life, "Bon Appetit!" Hartland begins with Child's youth in Pasadena and skips along to her time as a spy, as a newlywed in Paris, and through her years as a celebrity TV chef.
Hartland, who has a little Richard Scary in her style, spares no detail -- Julia's wild sister Dort makes an appearance, as does the Blue Flash (the big American car Julia and Paul shipped over to France); you meet Julia's pal Avis De Voto, and get a step-by-pickled-tongue-step explanation of how to make galantine. For my 5-year-olds, this was a 3-sitting book, but they came away knowing that if they want to hunt for truffles, they'll need a pig, and that moving from Paris to Marseilles to Oslo looks kind of exciting. They are now fully prepared for life.
Now, your turn: we'd love to know your favorite food-centric children's books. Tell us in the comments section.
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Tags: books, Julia Child
amanda
Before starting Food52 with Merrill, I was a food writer and editor at the New York Times. I've written several books, including "Cooking for Mr. Latte" and "The Essential New York Times Cookbook." I played myself in "Julie & Julia" -- hope you didn't blink, or you may have missed the scene! I live in Brooklyn with my husband, Tad, and twins, Walker and Addie.
Comments (3)
about 1 year ago cookinginvictoria
This book sounds great. Thanks for profiling it. Some of my favorite childhood books that have wonderful food scenes are the Francess Hodgson Burnett books, A Little Princess and The Secret Garden. My daughter has also enjoyed the more recent children's picture book, Fannie's in the Kitchen, all about the life of Fannie Farmer.
about 1 year ago merrill
Merrill is a co-founder of Food52.
Some more children's books with great food scenes: All of the Little House books (especially Little House in the Big Woods and Farmer Boy); Strega Nona; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; Heidi; The Boxcar Children; and Mrs. Piggle Wiggle.
about 1 year ago a little saffron
This is fantastic.