chop chop stick stick: a pair of lip smacking poems

December 4, 2015September 11, 2017 ~ jama ~ 73 Comments

Raise your hand if you know how to use chopsticks! Do you like them?

Just as I can’t remember first feeding myself with a fork or spoon, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t use chopsticks. When it came to eating, I was a quick and early learner. 🙂 I do remember loving a special pair of children’s chopsticks I once had — they were pink plastic with black and gold specks. Naturally, they made everything taste better.

Back in the dark ages when I was doing school visits for Dumpling Soup, I always brought wooden chopsticks along. The majority of first graders had never used them before, and they had fun trying to pick up M&Ms, Cheerios, and gummy bears. Some were so pleased with their newfound skill that later in the cafeteria they even tried to eat their lunches with them. Ever try to pick up half a PB&J sandwich with chopsticks? 🙂

Continue reading →

hotTEAs of Children’s Literature: Aaron Reynolds

December 3, 2015September 25, 2017 ~ jama ~ 12 Comments

Aaron Reynolds is the New York Times bestselling author of loads of kids books like NERDY BIRDY, CARNIVORES, and the Caldecott-Honor winner CREEPY CARROTS. He regularly makes time for school visits, where his silly, hilarious, and hands-on presentations mesmerize kids and teachers alike. Aaron lives in Chicago.

☕ CUPPA OF CHOICE: Butterbeer. Have you had the official stuff at Harry Potter World in Florida? It’s insanely good. It should require a prescription.

☕ HOT OFF THE PRESS: Nerdy Birdy, illustrated by Matt Davies (Roaring Brook Press, September 2015). Forthcoming: President Squid, illustrated by Sara Varon (Chronicle Books, March 1, 2016).

☕ FAVE FOODIE CHILDREN’S BOOK: I’m a big fan right now of Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast by Josh Funk and Brendan Kearney (Sterling, 2015).

☕ Visit Aaron Reynolds’s Official Website

☕☕ JUST ONE MORE SIP: Check out my tasty interview with Aaron about CARNIVORES!

☕ ☕ ☕ CAN’T GET ENOUGH: Cool and interesting interview about Nerdy Birdy. Is it just me, or does the interviewer, Becky Anderson, resemble Vicki Lawrence from the Carol Burnett Show? Same lovely smile 🙂

——————————————————————–

[Review, Author Chat and Recipe] Time for Cranberries by Lisl H. Detlefsen and Jed Henry

November 24, 2015August 29, 2017 ~ jama ~ 36 Comments

No holiday table would be complete without beautiful festive cranberries. Whether you like your cranberry sauce fresh or from a can, there’s just something about that deep red color and distinctive tartness that speaks to cherished tradition and good times.

*Maple Orange Cranberry Sauce via Kitchen Treaty*

Alongside the magnificent gobbler and tricked-out starchy sides, cranberry sauce is like the pampered guest who knows it was invited to dinner just as much for its prettiness as its flavor. Not snobby in the least, cranberries enjoy being appreciated for their good looks.

In the past I’ve made lovely cranberry wreaths for the front door, strung garlands of it with popcorn to adorn our Christmas tree, baked them into muffins and breads, and made a delicious relish with grated orange rind. Often, if I’m asked to bring a side dish on Thanksgiving, I’ll make a cooked cranberry gelatin mold — one part retro, two parts jiggle. 🙂

Continue reading →

friday feast: David Booth’s Head to Toe Spaghetti and Other Tasty Poems

November 20, 2015September 1, 2017 ~ jama ~ 56 Comments

Time to put on your best bib and lick your chops. There’s a new foodie poetry book in town!

In Head to Toe Spaghetti and Other Tasty Poems (Rubicon, 2015), Canadian author, poet, educator and literacy expert David Booth serves up 59 toothsome gems culled from his writings of the last 40 years. These delectable delights are presented in five mouthwatering courses and are sure to “tickle your lips, tangle your tongue, tease your imagination, twist your sentences, and tenderize your heart.”

Begin by wrapping your lips around 10 Fast Food Rhymes featuring kid favorites like “Fish and Chips,” “Chicken Fingers” and “A Dangerous Drink” (burp!). Move on to tasty Snackers and Crackers (“A Thin Slice of Cake,” “A Dumb Plum,” and “Blueberry Lips”). Still hungry? With Food Daze we’re invited to celebrate the “Sounds of Beautiful Food” (courgette, almondine, radicchio, buttermilk), relish the hidden goodness in “Gift-Wrapped” natural foods (coconuts, bananas, oranges), or wiggle, jiggle, and swiggle with glee like a “Jell-o Fanatic.”

Continue reading →

hotTEAs of Children’s Literature: Iza Trapani

November 19, 2015September 25, 2017 ~ jama ~ 36 Comments

When I immigrated to America from Poland at age seven, I learned English with the help of a Mother Goose collection. Little did I know that someday I would extend many of those nursery rhymes and have a successful career as a children’s book author and illustrator. I am currently at work on my 26th book.

☕ CUPPA OF CHOICE: I drink all kinds of teas. Lately, I’ve been enjoying hot cinnamon spice from Harney & Sons. It’s lightly sweet and zesTEA :-). Looks like Teddy would like some too. Should I offer him a cup?

☕ HOT OFF THE PRESS: Old King Cole (Charlesbridge, August 2015). Forthcoming: Gabe and Goon (Charlesbridge, July 2016).

☕ FAVE FOODIE CHILDREN’S BOOK(s): Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens (Harcourt, 1995), Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss (Random House, 2002), Pumpkin Soup by Helen Cooper (FSG, 2005), and Split Pea Soup (from the George and Martha stories) by James Marshall (HMH, 1974).

☕ Visit Iza Trapani’s Official Website and blog, In and Out of My Studio.

☕☕ JUST ONE MORE SIP: Old King Cole Book Trailer !

* * *

☕☕☕ CAN’T GET ENOUGH: Iza’s Twinkle Twinkle Little Star read by ESA Astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti aboard the International Space Station!! Far out and too cool. 🙂