...A Gruffalo
I was quite thrilled to read last week that Julia Donaldson has become the UK's best selling author, by volume, since accurate records began. She has beaten J K Rowling to the top spot. My family love her books [is it really five months since Jess went to see Zog at the Theatre, wearing her doctor's outfit?]
I didn't intend to do two book reviews in one week, but when I took the Duplo into the Hospice Shop, I picked up this book for £1,
It is based on the recipes referenced in the original story, like Gruffalo Crumble and Roasted Fox. The author is not named, but it is all very well thought out.
There are breakfast dishes, and sweet treats, and in between you can find snacks and main meals. I like the fact that two thirds of the recipes are savoury, and even the sweets are not too heavy on added sugar [eg the Mouse's Nut And Date Bars are sweetened with fruit]
The illustrations are delightful, interspersing pictures from the original book with photographs of the food. And they are so inventive, and look very tasty
Snake's Logpile House is a stack of lengths of celery [stuffed with peanut butter and raisins, or cream cheese and poppy seeds]
There are Turned Out Toes[ mini beef burgers] Poisonous Warts [pea and feta frittatas] Orange Eyes [Cheesy Quiches] and Roasted Fox [sweet potato wedges]
Terrible Tusks are fruit skewers, and of course there is Owl Ice Cream [with bananas and almonds] And finally a Gruffalo Cake
I am looking forward to Rosie arriving for half term, and we can try out some of these recipes. Then I can give a proper review. But it will be 5* I expectI came across a lovely YouTube clip of the story. The BBC animated film is excellent [I do not know if this link will work]
But here is Julia herself, with friends, retelling the story beautifully. She plays the part of the mouse....
Which food from the book would you choose to eat?
What a beautiful book! I loved Julia Donaldson and I sometimes flicked through those books even when I wasn't reading them to bear. They are so beautifully crafted.
ReplyDeleteAnd it's just in time because we have a birthday coming up and that book would be perfect as a gift.
The recipe instructions are carefully marked with "join in" gruffalo paws πΎwherever it is an activity which is safe for children. And each one ends with a Twists and Tips box, suggesting substitute ingredients, and helpful hints. With adult supervision it would work with children age 2½+ I think
DeleteI've never really had much to do with the Gruffalo - shocking really, but it's usually been below my year group!!
ReplyDeleteKezzie I am SHOCKED. How do you not know this? You must go to your Early Years dept ASAP and ask to borrow a copy. It would be a great basis for a music lesson because all the children know the story so well. You could do a Peter and the Wolf type composition with different instruments for the animals...ππ¦ππ¦
DeleteI know the story and have read it but that's the extent of it.
DeleteAnd oh, but I had more time to add lessons to my already dense schedule!
DeleteYou work so hard! If you have read it, that's ok!!
DeleteSuch a joy to read Julia Donaldson’s books with children and still enjoyable as an adult. Some of her books have been written in Scots eg The Gruffalo’s Wean and friends children/ grandchildren love them ( especially if their daft honorary auntie reads to them!) The cookery book looks very interesting and I’ll look forward to seeing what Rosie cooks up at half term. Catriona
ReplyDeleteI think that read in a Scottish accent they'd be fabulous [even without dialect words] I can't decide if I want Brian Cox [actor not astronomer] or Sally Magnusson to record the stories on audio! [Not David Tennant, he gets everywhere lately] Or maybe YOU could record the whole genre, Cat...in one of your "spare moments"!!
DeleteYou will love making these recipe s with the grandchildren x
ReplyDeleteπππ
DeleteWhat a lovely post. The grandchildren loved the books when they were younger. Hard to pick a favourite one. Dopey Grannie had different voices for all the characters. The recipe book looks good and I enjoyed the film of Julia D as the mouse. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteπ
DeleteI missed out on the Gruffalo, my boys were much too old, I'm sure we would have all loved the books though.
ReplyDeleteMy girls were too old, but working in Early Years meant I read the stories to many other children
DeleteWhat a great book, and a real bargain. Lovely that it's so appealing and healthy recipes too, so many children’s cookbooks are very sugar based. Julia Donaldson is so engaging, her books can be enjoyed at any age. I look forward to your review after half term when you and Jess have tried some of the recipes. Veeknits, aka Val.
ReplyDeleteThanks Val.watch this space
DeleteLooks fun! I'm a great fan of the Katie Stewart (remember her?) Winnie the Pooh cookbooks.
ReplyDeleteOh yes....
DeleteWhat a great book and at a bargain price too. Looking forward to Rosie (and your) reviews on the recipes. I prefer savoury food myself but Iris has a sweet tooth. Off on the school run in a bit, and pasta and meatballs for tea. Xx
ReplyDelete♥️π
DeleteNot at all familiar with the story, but, I remember you mentioning it in an earlier post. Have fun trying out the recipes with Rosie. :)
ReplyDeleteShe is a very popular British author. Rosie will be here in 10 days time
Delete