Fairy Tale Feasts

This is not a new book--it came out in 2006--but it is one that I've been thinking about as the holidays of feasting come upon us over the next few months, especially here in the U.S. with Thanksgiving next week.

Fairy Tale Feasts: A Literary Cookbook for Young Readers And Eaters by Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple is available in hardcover and paperback. Several smaller editions using one theme each (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert) were also released this past summer.

Review from School Library Journal:

This collection of 20 fairy tales, each accompanied by at least one recipe, is an oversized, glossy concoction. Most of the stories are European, told in a conversational tone mixing tradition with a dash of the modern (in Cinderella, for instance, …a fairy–with wings and a wand and who knew a wish when she heard it–appeared before her, wrapped in stars.) Toddlers will enjoy The Runaway Pancake, while fourth and fifth graders will appreciate Yolen's Snow White (this heroine doesn't pull any punches). The recipes include tasty-sounding dishes like Very French Toast (to go with the French folktale Diamonds and Toads). Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert are all represented. The dishes will be best for experienced cooks, as some judgment calls are in order (serves a family is stated several times). Sidebars throughout give interesting facts about the stories and the recipes. Yolen's knowledge of folklore shows in her tidbits about the tales and their origins. Many of the food facts are intriguing, too. For instance, alongside the Stone Soup recipe is a note that Al Capone set up Chicago's first soup kitchen. Beha's illustrations, with bright colors and bold, simple lines, are set off by lots of white space, adding to the appealing and accessible look. This is similar to Carol MacGregor's The Fairy Tale Cookbook (Macmillan, 1982; o.p.), but that book does not include complete stories. A fun book for family sharing.

Review from Booklist:

From prehistoric times, stories and food have been "close companions," say Yolen and her daughter, who contributed the recipes in this creative book, which folds fairy tales into a cookbook of kid-friendly recipes. The stories, with the exception of one original story by Yolen, represent mostly European folktales, and Yolen retells them with her usual verve and ease. The tales are divided into four sections (breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert), and each story is paired with at least one recipe that connects with the story's themes or references. For example, "Cinderella" inspires a recipe for pumpkin tarts, and "The Runaway Pancake" is matched with instructions for, naturally, "Runaway Pancakes." Stemple's recipes require adult supervision, but the resulting dishes, as well as Beha's spare, whimsical spot illustrations, will capture children's fancy. Detailed marginalia greatly enhance both the folktales and the food sections of this charming offering, which the whole family will appreciate.

And they say it so much better than me. I bought this one for myself when it was released, especially after reading Jane's blog about writing it. The recipes are approachable for kids, usually not requiring very adventurous tastes, although "seaweed" stuffed shells might intimidate some until they realize it is spinach--unless spinach makes it worse. I've always adored spinach at every age so it's certainly not an issue for me.

And for the completist, here are two other fairy tale cookbooks, now out of print, but available used or perhaps through your local library.


The Fairy Tale Cookbook: Fun Recipes for Families to Create and Eat Together

The Fairy Tale Cookbook is a collection of clever and tasty recipes for families to enjoy together. All the foods and menus are based on creative thinking about characters and stories in fairy tales, nursery rhymes, and other children's literature. Recipes include Paul Bunyan's flapjacks, Stone Soup (sans geological ingredients) and the Three Bears' porridge (made with potatoes, condensed milk and an onion).

The Fairy Tale Cookbook by Carol MacGregor (1983)

A collection of recipes for a variety of dishes based on such well-known tales as "The Three Bears," "Hansel and Gretel," and "Stone soup." Each recipe is introduced by a brief summary of the original tale.

And I had to sneak in this one, already out of print. No fairy tales, but classic children's literature is the theme. Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer: A Golden Treasury of Classic Treats includes recipes related to Little House on the Prairie, Anne of Green Gables, Little Women and several other books including some that are more popular in the UK than here. Here's the publisher's description:

If as a child you devoured Enid Blyton's classics like the Famous Five or Malory Towers, or loved to lose yourself in the adventures of Pippi Longstocking or What Katy Did, then CHERRY CAKE AND GINGER BEER is the book for you. A wonderfully nostalgic cookery book, it will take you straight back to your favourite children's books and show you how to cook the feel-good foods that feature so strongly in them. So, you'll find recipes for Swallows and Amazons Squashed-Fly Biscuits, the Famous Five's Gorgeous Ginger Beer, and Gloriously Sticky Marmalade Roll from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe amongst others. Divided into appropriate sections like Proper Elevenses, Picnic Treats and Lessons in the Kitchen each recipe is introduced with an evocative description of the book that inspired it. Guaranteed to take you straight back to your childhood, the book is an escapist treat for grown-ups and will encourage you to re-visit much-loved classics and share them with the next generation.

This one is also out of print and getting expensive, but it is cheaper to purchase it in the United Kingdom than the US even with the shipping costs.