Caroline McAlister
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A Fine dessert-- A book Good Enough to Eat

7/24/2015

7 Comments

 
      In the process of reporting on food books for the class I am taking on non-fiction picture books taught by the awesome Candice Ransom, I found one book that is good enough to eat--A Fine Dessert: Four Centuries, Four Families, One Delicious Treat written by Emily Jenkins and illustrated by Sophie Blackall.  The book depicts four different families making blackberry fool in four different centuries, 1710, 1810, 1910 and 2010.   

Picture
      The concept is simple and straightforward and at the same time sophisticated and elegant.  First the book demonstrates how cooking technology has changed over time.  The first family beats cream with a bundle of sticks, the next with a wire whisk, the next with a manual egg beater, and the last with an electric mixer.  Emily Jenkins tells us exactly how long it takes to make whipped cream with each implement.

Picture
      More importantly, however, the author and illustrator depict changes in social structure and gender roles.  In 1710 a girl and her mother make the dessert.  In 1810 in Charleston an enslaved girl and her mother make the dessert and lick the bowl in secret.  In 2010 a boy and his father make the dessert together, and a mixed race family joins them for dinner.  This apparently simple book describes beautifully how change happens over time in domestic spaces that are not usually thought of as places where history happens. 

      The writing is full of sensuous details.  For example: “Their hands turned purple with the juice.  The thorns of the berry bushes pricked the fabric of their long skirts.”  Sophie Blackall’s illustrations remind me of 19th century primitive portraits and needlework.  The twirling blackberry vines frame vignettes of cooking, and the end pages are actually painted a luscious dark purple using actual blackberry juice. 
7 Comments
jack
5/29/2017 02:44:07 am

well

Reply
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5/31/2017 12:56:16 am

Yes this is the fine dessert which is accurate to serve your sudden guest as it is easy to prepare. This has a great combination with a cup of tea in the mid of evening. I have been serving with the same dessert from a long time and let me tell you the guest really love it.

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9/23/2020 12:37:21 am

Food books are very useful for the girl's students to learn about new recipes so that they may able to prepare tasty food for their parents. This is the best news for learning online about different recipes.

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12/30/2021 02:39:21 am

These food books are quite important for female students who want to learn new recipes so that they may cook delicious meals for their parents. This is fantastic news for everyone interested in learning about various recipes online.

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1/1/2022 06:14:14 am

The Vlone Outfit carries a strong message behind it. It refers to “You live alone, you die alone”. It reflects your lifestyle. The way to express your feelings, thoughts, and ideas in terms of dressing.

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1/11/2022 05:54:13 am

Yes, this is a great dessert that is appropriate to offer your unexpected company because it is simple to prepare. This goes well with a cup of tea in the middle of the evening. I've been serving the same dessert for a long time, and let me tell you, the guests adore it.

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    Caroline McAlister

    Caroline is an avid reader, children's writer, and teacher. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and dog. Check out her bio for more!

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