Es un cuento inspirado en la chef más famosa de Norteamérica que enseñó lo maravillosa que puede ser la cocina francesa. Las pequeñas cocineras deciden un día preparar un banquete muy especial que hará rejuvenecer por un momento a todas esas personas atareadas, preocupadas, enojadas y apuradas que habitan la ciudad.
This was the cutest book ever! It was worth the wait, and probably one of the handful of books that I've ever preordered. I was so tempted to use a "like buttah" Saturday Night Live meme from the "Coffee Talk" skit, but decided against it. I'm sure you've got enough of a visual.
Julia and her friend Simca love French food. They especially love cooking and creating new, interesting recipes. Reflecting on how they don't want to end up like most adults, "who never watched cartoons and only read biographies", they devise a way to mix the "art of childhood" into their dishes, and thus help adults remember to lighten up.
I am a huge fan of Kyo Maclear; she's got fab style and wonderful ideas! I was equally impressed with Julie Morstad's illustrations–they were very retro and chic. I've only read Maclear's children's books, but I liked them so much that I went ahead and bought her two adult works of fiction: The Letter Opener and Stray Love. I'm sure she won't let me down. Check out this book if you get a chance! It's entertaining for people of all ages. One benefit to buying a copy: the dust jacket doubles as an awesome little book poster.
Julia, Child. You like the title of this picture book, right? Of course. By the powerhouse team of Kyo Maclear (author) and Julie Morstad (illustrator), and it is pretty delicious. While it “contains no true knowledge of (the real) Julia Child, and should be taken with a grain of salt and perhaps even a generous pat of butter” and can’t exactly even approach the idea of a fictional biography, it is pretty fun.
Julia and her friend Simca think that adults do not know how to have fun. They dream of making food that will make people grow younger. And the food they make for an adult party is really good; it actually works to make them at least happy. The sweet illustrations match the fun tone of the story.
I am not sure if Julia Child would have sanctioned this book. The factual elements of her life are interwoven into a fantasy version and it all comes out under done! I understand that this is a picture book, but the story is really quite silly.
This is kind of a cheeky little book. Pay attention reader. The title is not Julia Child but Julia, Child. Yes, we see a little girl in an apron surrounded by cooking utensils, herbs and berries. Yes, this book is inspired by the idea of Julia Child and her passion for food and cooking. But this is hardly a biography. This is a playful book, full of joy and friends and butter. The message? Hang on to the best parts of being a child. For those adults who need some help with this, recipes are adjusted accordingly.
The art was the most charming part of the book for me. The message that adults need to remember how to play and enjoy like children feels a bit off for the intended age group. I love all the yummy food references, but making the main character an actual historical figure and setting her in a fictional childhood seems like a recipe for confusion.
In the guise of a children's book it is actually a message for adults. Loved it! Cute illustrations and imaginative text, it is a creative bundle not to be missed.
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“You are cordially invited to this tale for all ages about a child named Julia. While the story contains no true knowledge of (the real) Juia Child and should be taken with a grain of salt and perhaps even a generous pat of butter, we hope that you will find something here to savor. If you discover, as we have, that some stories taste best when shared with others, then all the better.”
It all began with sole meunière. In a single bite, Julia’s life is transformed forever, inspiring a love affair with French food that was to last a lifetime. Along with the help of her childhood friend, Simca, the two girls embark on a culinary quest filled with friendship, imagination, and a little bit of magic. There are ingredients and recipes galore. Some successful. Others…not. But no matter the dish, the recipe or the results, Julia and Simca know one thing for certain: You can never use too much butter. Oh, and there is nothing better than being a child forever. Determined to avoid the stressful, colourless fate that seems to await every grown-up around them, Julia and Simca devise the perfect recipe to remain young. With a dash of wonder, a spoonful of fun, and an undeniable dusting of joie de vivre Julia and Simca create the perfect recipe with unexpected, and decidedly marvellous, results.
“Life was filled with far too many grown-ups who did not know how to have a marvellous time. The girls had no wish to become big, busy people – wary and worried, hectic and hurried.”
When I first heard of Julia, Child by Canadian author Kyo Maclear, it was love at first sight. Or should I say amour? As a self-professed ‘Foodie’ with a penchant for all things gastronomy-related, Maclear’s latest publication loosely inspired by the life of the wonderful and enigmatic Julia Child was a must-buy. Of course, I would be lying if I said that Julie Morstad’s eye-catching cover didn’t also play a large role in this decision. Coincidentally, I had recently received a number of requests that I resurrect my ‘Child’s Play’ feature and review a greater number of picture books. “It must be kismet!”, I thought. Understandably, it wasn’t hard to decide where I wanted to begin, and I’m so thankful that this was the book I chose. A scrumptious, adorable, enchanting story about following one’s passion and the importance of remaining young at heart and in spirit, Kyo Maclear’s Julia, Child is a book that will touch and inspire readers of all ages.
“All those big, busy people who were weighed down with worries, who couldn’t remember the last time they climbed a tree or even rode a bicycle, who never watched cartoons and only read biographies – well, they began to have a marvellous, rowdy, childlike time.”
While Maclear clearly takes a great number of liberties with Julia Child’s life, there is no doubt that the author has perfectly captured the chef’s vibrant personality and zest for life. As Child herself once famously remarked “Find something you’re passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.” Her appetites, not only for food but for life itself are legendary, and I appreciated seeing this sentiment echoed in Julia and Simca’s own stories. The two girls are passionate about what they love – cooking – and want to share this passion with others. Their joy, innocence and inventiveness permeates every inch of the text and inspires even the most cynical of readers to feel young again. One can’t help but be tickled by the girls’ attempts to help those poor, pitiably grown-ups recapture their lost youth. As children we cannot wait to grow up. No bedtime. Cookies for breakfast. Endless sleepovers. Never knowing that the novelty will eventually wear off and will be replaced instead with an often unimaginably, seemingly unbearable amount of responsibility and pressure. In our haste to keep up, plug in and achieve all that we wish to, it’s not difficult to lose sight of the little pleasures in life. To stop and smell the roses. To savour a particularly flavourful bite. To share a simple meal with the ones we love. In a mere 32 pages, however, Maclear helps one to recapture those feelings of elation and exuberance, even if only for a moment. The author’s use of language is also to be applauded. I’m a firm believer that one should not speak down to or condescend to children. Maclear uses a sprinkling of French phrases and a number of fun, colourful adjectives to bring the story more clearly to life. While it might prove challenging or might not be fully appreciated by younger readers, the author’s vibrant narrative voice will encourage children to enquire about words and concepts they don’t know, and delight in those they do.
“They made smaller portions – not too little, not too big, just enough to feed the sensible children from whom these senseless grown-ups grew.”
Illustrated throughout by the phenomenally talented Canadian artist, Julie Morstad, Julia, Child is a delectable feast for the eyes. Using a combination of ink, gouache and digital illustration, Morstad’s beguiling, whimsical illustrations with a distinct Parisian flair perfectly compliment the text and evolve right alongside the story. Nowhere is this more evident than in the artist’s interpretation of the effect of Julia and Simca’s scrumptious and magical dishes on their unsuspecting and staid diners. As they devour petit gâteau, cheese soufflé and crusty baguettes, these once staid adults are brought to life with bright bursts of colour and vibrant expressions that won’t fail to make you smile. Equally charming are all the small, delightful details that might go overlooked without a more careful perusal. Julia’s ever-present roller-skates. The small recipe cards covered with wisdom. The industrious, clever cat always underfoot. I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention the most wonderful surprise of all: When removed and turned to the other side, the book’s jacket doubles as a beautiful 11.5 x 24 inch poster featuring Julia, Simca, and their unique recipe for success. It’s a beautiful image that, when framed, would make a lovely edition to a child’s bedroom as a piece of art. Best of all, the hardcover of the book itself is printed with the same design as the book jacket, so the reader needn’t worry about losing any of splendour of Morstad’s work by removing it.
“The truth is grown-ups often need some extra help. Baffled and befuddled, mindless and muddled, they sometimes forget what they know. So Julia and Simca made a cookbook to remind them.”
Ooh, la, la, la. C’est magnifique! Using one of history’s most recognizable and beloved figures as her inspiration, Kyo Maclear has cooked up the perfect recipe for success with a mouth-watering, heart-warming tale that will delight and entertain readers of all ages. A celebration and adoration of French cuisine acts as a catalyst for discussion and thoughtful reflection in a story emphasizes the importance of embracing one’s passions and remaining young at heart. Perfect for the young and the young at heart, Julia, Child is a scrumptious treat that readers won’t be able to resist devouring in a single sitting. Bon Appétit!
Hmm. I'm really conflicted about this one. I've really enjoyed two of Kyo Maclear's picture book biographies and was excited for this one then quite disappointed that it's not actually a biography but simply a fanciful imagining of Julia Child's childhood. I don't really feel comfortable with all the extrapolation. I think it would have been better to make it about two fictional children. Also, this concept that children need to rescue grown-ups from adulthood... I just wasn't quite sure how I felt about that, either. This concept that all adults are trudging through life forgetting what it's like to imagine and see the beauty in the world... I'm not really sure that's the view of adulthood children need, nor that it is the responsibility of children to "save" the adults. On the other hand, the illustrations are quite well done and there's a bit of a Wizard of Oz feel, where the children are the bright and colorful Oz and the adults are the dull Kansas. So, not really sure how to rate this.
Well, the book itself is very pretty. The illustrations are lovely and overall, it's very nice to look at. But the story? Perhaps it will work for elementary-aged children. I don't know the age group nearly as well as my own -- but this book is absolutely terrible for children under six.
Children under six don't have any of that childhood-is-the-best feeling. It doesn't even really make sense to them! Children under six are starving for a mix of responsibility, learning about the real world and real skills and unconditional love/security given from having a stable, loving adult care for them. The whole concept of adults being hurried and then being unable to handle childhood-enhancing treats is not only not reflective of the reality young children live but it's a nightmare for them! Children need to feel secure because of adults, not told that adults need to be reminded by THEM how to have fun or relax, etc. I mean, yes, adults definitely can learn from children, but having the concept be the basis for a children's story just doesn't work for me at all and makes this book something I would never want to share with the young children in my class.
Oh what a difference punctuation makes! If the combination of Canadian gems Julie Morstad and Kyo Maclear doesn’t fill your heart with joy I don’t know what will. As she did in Virginia Wolf and Mr. Flux, Maclear takes a real life figure (in this case, Julia Child) and imagines a whimsical moment in her life. This book will instill a love of food and kitchen play as readers join a young Julia and her amazingly hip friend Simca on various food adventures. As a side note, I would wear every single one of Simca’s outfits IRL. Every. Single. One.
"Mix in a swooshy rainbow, a crying lumberjack, and sprinkles" Julia, Child is no relation to Julia Child, the wine swilling cook who wished everyone a Bon Appétit! Julia and her friend Simca loved good food and agreed that you could never use too much butter. Paula Deen should have made an appearance. They enjoyed the simple pleasures and knew far more than adults. Never fight over the little dilemmas in life. The illustrations are super cute and the story matches. A great combination that feeds off each other.
This is a lovely picture book and I can see why it's been getting such acclaim. I loved the writing style, the quirky characters, and the beautiful artwork. The design quality is exceptional and the title is perfect. I'm interested in how the author "imagined" Julia Child's childhood and where she drew boundaries in her imaginings. She notes this at the start so readers know all the details aren't true. I wonder if parts of it were based on fact or if the whole story was imagined? I write about real people myself and this book left me wondering how far one can go into imagining aspects of a real person's life and still be true to the person. For example, was her friend real? Did she really cook French foods when she was a child?
Sweet as sugar. This is a story of two friends, sisters in the kitchen, who bake childhood innocence, marvel, and carefree spirit into their French recipes. This picture book ruminates on adulthood syndrome - - growing up and all the tragedy that goes with that painful process - - and how it appears to children, discovering your passion in life, having a closer-than-blood best friend, and the simple pleasures of cooking, eating, and sharing. Most importantly, Julie Morstad's illustrations are beautiful, complementary, delicate yet bold.
Obviously inspired by the famous chef Julia Child, though not a biography of her life, JULIA, CHILD has a different purpose: to remind adults to view life with childlike wonder and to savor every bite.
Don't be fooled by this books title. If you go into this thinking that it's a picture book about the life and loves of Julia Child you will be diasapointed. Other than the name, Julia, a love of cooking, a few mentions to the glorious taste of butter and French food, this book has nothing to do with Julia Child. The title is a recipe for confusion.
That said the concept behind this picture book is rather cute. Two girls who love to cook decide to put on a meal for grownups with the intent to remind them to enjoy life and have fun again, much like the way that children do, otherwise known as, the art of childhood.
I especially like the art work used throughout this story. Each page is a contrast of contour drawing, colorful sketches and playful illustration. As a former art student I really appreciate the contrasting styles paired together on these pages. Not only is the story imaginative, but the art inspires creativity by highlighting different uses of line thickness, color, and sketch styles. For me the art makes this book!
ILLUSTRATIONS are a 4.5/5. Julie Morstad uses both ink line drawings with watercolor-like 'spotlights' to make lively, entertaining scenes. The girls and foods and flowers (and in at least two pictures, scents) are in color; the adults and some objects are in black and white. Julia Child is wearing roller-skates on most pages, which is adorable.
The STORY was disappointing: perhaps 2/5. I prefer, when book are child-presenting (as this one is, though the intro introduces it as a "tale for all ages"), for a story, if it's about someone real, to be truthful or historically likely. This book offers a completely fictional story about little Julia and her friend Simca, who wisely determine that "too many grown-ups don't have the proper ingredients" for life, and valiantly prepare a meal "to feed the sensible children from whom these senseless grown-ups grew." Bleh.
Julia, Child is the imaginative retelling (aka fictional) of the childhood of a girl named Julia & her friend, Simca (not subtly based off or inspired by Julia Child) This picture book contains perfect picture companions to the words composing the story.
The book, however, is not for children. The book is to remind adults room not forget how to enjoy life & to wonder as a child again. The words (English & French) are not suitable for young children understanding the content.
The pictures are brilliant & beautiful. I love how the adults are lifeless in black & white as the children live in color - & how the adults start living in color as they remember how to enjoy things once more.
My biggest complaint is the ending if the book - it is sudden & doesn't flow naturally from what proceeds it.
As a book for children I give it 2 stars As a simple book for adults I give it 4 stars Average: 3 stars
This story is a clever play on Julia Child and her book, Mastering The Art of French Cooking. This wonderfully illustrated book will capture the minds of parents and children. Parents will enjoy the wholesome story also knowing who Julia is and her history, and the kids will love the illustrations as you read along. It helps there is a wonderful lesson on being grown up in the book too. Whether you deem it to be targeted at the parents or the kids is another story. This gem of a book is sure to be a hit at reading time, as it will surely be enjoyed by all.
A very cute application of the spirit of Julia Child to the demands of being a grown-up. This book has no reference to the real Julia Child, beyond the names of the characters, but the story does mirror her love of cooking, and her friendship and partnership with Simca. I think adults will enjoy the book more than kids will, but even without background knowledge it would be a pleasant read with a thought provoking moral.
Maclear, K. (2014). Julia, Child . Toronto, ON: Tundra Books, Division of Random House of Canada LTD.
A young Julia Child and her best friend Simca discover the joys of food and friendship but must find just the right recipe to teach adults how to slow down and have a wonderful time. This book would be a good choice for read-alouds in the primary classroom and an exploration of friendship and cooking!
I love Julia Child she is an icon. At a young age she loved French food which is more than some kids can say. This beautiful picture book tells the story of Julia and her best friend Simca. And how at a young age they loved to gather new ideas for recipes. They sometimes observed how they saw people weren't really living like they world. They decided to open up their mind to new ideas.