Tag: Books

May 31, 2023

Books for Children all about Cooking and Eating

After the lovely feedback on the post about our favourite picture books about winter, I thought I would put together a list of our favourite picture books about food! We have had a few ‘children’s cookbooks’ in the past, but to be honest, they have never been very popular. Instead, they love reading books about food and cooking so here are our favourites.

Julia, Child by Kyo Maclear

I love anything with Julia Morsted’s illustrations, and this book is no exception. A take on the story of Julia Child but really a reminder of the power of food, cooking for others and not taking yourself too seriously.

1000 Things to Eat by Hanna Wood

The children spend hours poring over the pages and deciding exactly what they would eat from each category. It can be a good way to introduce a new food too- if you have talked about it in a book, it doesn’t seem as strange when you encounter it on your plate.

Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola

This is an all time favourite in our house. Who doesn’t want to read about a magic pasta pot that won’t stop bubbling and fills a whole village in Calabria with pasta???

Alice Waters Cooks up a Food Revolution by  Diane Stanley

I snapped this one up for my dear friend Lou’s children when I saw it recently. Lou and her family lived in San Francisco at the same time as us and we shared our farewell-to-California-meal at Water’s famous restaurant, Chez Panisse. Beautiful illustrations and a reminder of the importance of real ingredients to make real food.

Maisy’s Placemat Doodle Book by Lucy Cousins

This is perfect to have in your handbag when you are out for a meal and need to keep everyone occupied while you wait for your food to arrive. Draw all the fruit in the blender for a smoothie, fill Maisy’s plate with foods that start with P- this can be enjoyed by all ages. Including grownups!

Lunch at 10 Pomegranate Street by Felicita Sala

Come along and visit each apartment at 10 Pomegranate Street to see what they are cooking to bring to a shared lunch in the back garden. This gorgeously illustrated book includes recipes from all different cultures and is an inspiration for both children and adults alike.

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May 29, 2023

Picture Books for the Winter Months

After such a mild autumn, it is hard to believe we will officially be in winter by the end of the week. It has me reflecting on my favourite books to read the children during the colder months and I remembered a post I had done for the Nature Baby journal a few years back. I thought I would pop it here for the parents to get some ideas of what to read with your little ones when the rain is drumming at your window. Because what better way to pass some time than with a pile of good books?

City Moon  by Rachael Cole
“In the fall, when leaves are coming down, it get darks before we go to bed. After dinner, after tooth-brushing time, we put on pyjamas then coats and shoes…we are going on a walk to look for the moon”  Take an evening walk through the city streets with this mama and toddler, then go for an evening walk yourselves. It’s amazing how your own neighbourhood changes by darkness when seen anew through little eyes. 

Chirri & Chirra. The Snowy Day by Kaya Doi
Translated from Japanese, the third magical book in the Chirri and Chirra series will captivate everyone who reads it. Discover icy worlds filled with bears sleeping in igloos, hot springs with scented flower petals and warm cinnamon apple drinks. An absolute favourite in our home. 

Tiny, Perfect Things by M.H. Clark
Walking along the street can be transformed when you take the time to stop and look for tiny perfect things. A glint of the light on a spider web, the colour of an autumn leaf, this book is a testament to slowing down and looking around. Walk with a little girl and her grandfather and discover that “The world is full of perfect things when you come look with me”

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
First published in 1962, this was first picture book with an African American protagonist to win a major children’s award. Beautiful collage depicts Peter’s slow and gentle discovery of the first snow of the season. 

Out and About Shirley Hughes
Join Katy and her little brother for a year – first the bulbs growing in pots, then trips to the beach, leaves falling from trees, and cozy dark evenings. The beautiful illustrations and sweet rhymes makes this a lovely way to teach about the four seasons. 

When Green Becomes Tomatoes: Poems for All Seasons by Julie Fogliano
Another book of poems following the different seasons, this makes for a beautiful introduction to poetry. The illustrations and poetry make it a joy for both the one reading and the smaller one listening.

Today by Julie Morstad
Not officially a book about autumn or winter, but a firm favourite in our house with lots of ideas on how to keep yourself busy at home. What do you have in your room? What do you like to do when it is raining outside? Choose your favourites and make it a different book every time you read it. 

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