Summer Reading Week 1: Culinary Arts

It is officially Week 1 of summer reading and I am back from vacation and ready to go! I thought we'd begin by looking at Culinary Arts. (We can't go wrong starting with food, right?) Here are some literary cookbooks you don't want to miss and some sweet websites to check out:

Ratatouille: What's Cooking?: A Cookbook for Kids (j641.5 Wha)

Featuring characters from the movie Ratatouille, learn to create simple dishes and desserts including "Gusteau's Ratatouille" and "pizza rats" made from English muffins!


(Pizza Rats photograph copyright 2004 by Deborah Jones)

Fairy Tale Feasts: a Literary Cookbook for Young Readers and Eaters - Tales retold by Jane Yolen & Recipes by Heidi E.Y. Stemple (j641.5 Yol)

Includes recipes for breakfasts, lunches, soups, dinners and desserts that match up with classic fairy tales. Read "The Runaway Pancake" and make "Runaway Pancakes" for breakfast or enjoy some "Carrot Soup" while you read the story of "Brer Rabbit." Also included are fun facts; for example while you're making your Runaway Pancakes you might be interested to know that "Pancakes probably came originally from China or Nepal. They came to Europe in the twelfth century with Crusaders, who were returning from the Middle East." (p44)

The Redwall Cookbook by Brian Jacques (j641.5 Jac)

The Redwall Cookbook is the perfect companion to the Tales of Redwall series by Brian Jacques. Divided into sections representing the four seasons, you can find recipes you'll enjoy all year long. This summer consider making "Rosey's Jolly Raspberry Jelly Rock Cakes" or "Summer Strawberry Fizz." A new tale from Redwall brings together all of these delicious recipes into one delicious feast.

Green Eggs and Ham Cookbook by Dr. Seuss (j641.5 Bre)

Among other scrumptious recipes, I'm sure you won't be surprised to find the recipe for "Green Eggs and Ham!" If that doesn't make your mouth water, try "Flapjack Flapper's Flapjacks" or "Hoop-Soup-Snoop Group Potato Soup."

Cooking Art: Easy Edible Art for Young Children by MaryAnn Kohl (j641.5 Koh)

This comprehensive book will make you a culinary master!

And check out these links to some great Culinary Arts websites!

A Little Downtime...

Hey everyone,

I just wanted to let you know that I haven't forgotten about the Book Buddies blog I'm just taking a little downtime here. We have a teeny, tiny lull before Summer Reading gets going and I am taking full advantage of it! I will also be on vacation the last week of June so it's likely that posting here won't resume until June 29th. (unless of course something noteworthy comes up between now and then...in that case I will, of course, let you know).

However, come June 29th you can expect lots of Summer Reading posting. Our reading theme this year is "Be Creative @ Your Library" and celebrates the arts. Each week of Summer Reading I will post about a different art - reading suggestions and websites to check out. So stay tuned for that!

I'm also conducting a little book challenge of my own. I have challenged myself to read a book a week during summer reading and post a review of it here on the blog. I plan to read elementary and middle-grade novels (stuff that might be good for book club) so if you have any suggestions, please let me know!

I've been enjoying visiting the local public and private schools to promote Summer Reading and thanks to all the students who listened attentively to my Summer Reading Presentation and asked a lot of great questions. So far I've been to Carey School, Cranston-Calvert and St. Michael's Country Day School and next week I will be at Sullivan School. You've been terrific - thanks!

Finally, good luck to all my Book Buddies members and blog readers as they finish up the school year. It's been a terrific year and you've done a great job. Now, on to summer!