Julia's Child: A Novel [Paperback]

Sarah Pinneo (Author)

Book Description

Release date: January 31, 2012

A delectable comedy for every woman who's ever wondered if buying that six-dollar box of organic crackers makes her a hero or a sucker.
Julia Bailey is a mompreneur with too many principles and too little time.  Her fledgling company, Julia's Child, makes organic toddler meals with names like Gentle Lentil and Give Peas a Chance. But before she can realize her dream of seeing them on the shelves of Whole Foods, she will have to make peace between her professional aspirations and her toughest food critics: the two little boys waiting at home. Is it possible to save the world while turning a profit?
Julia's Child is a warmhearted, laugh-out-loud story about motherhood's choices: organic vs. local, paper vs. plastic, staying at home vs. risking it all.

 "A clear-eyed look at what it means to hold firm to ideals while making peace with reality." --DAPHNE UVILLER, author of Hotel No Tell.

 "Julia's Child is a savory read packed with humor and heart." --JENNY NELSON, author of Georgia's Kitchen.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Hilarious and moving, I actually missed my subway stop reading Julia's Child. Any parent will relate to Julia's triumphs and misadventures." --ALICE BRADLEY, blogger at Finslippy.com, and coauthor of Let's Panic About Babies.

"Pinneo skewers the cult of the child with an insider's eye. A witty, well-plotted fiction debut." 

--PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

Peppered with real recipes and the kind of convincing details expected from a food writer. [A] foodie take on I Don't Know How She Does It. 

--KIRKUS REVIEWS

Pinneo, a cookbook author who used to work on Wall Street, has seamlessly blended her two interests into this cute fiction debut. Well written, well paced, and very absorbing. 

--LIBRARY JOURNAL

About the Author

Sarah Pinneo was a Wall Street dealmaker before making the transition from breadwinner to bread baker and food journalist. The coauthor of The Ski House Cookbook, Pinneo lives in Ludlow, Vermont, and Hanover, New Hampshire.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Plume; 1 Original edition (January 31, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452297311
• ISBN-13: 978-0452297319
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,245,475 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sarah Pinneo worked in finance for more than a decade before making the transition from breadwinner to bread baker. Sarah writes about food and sustainability for lifestyle publications including The Boston Globe Magazine and Edible Communities. She has lived in Grand Rapids, MI, New York City, Ludlow, VT and now Hanover, NH, where the occasional moose or bear wanders through her yard.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Julia's Child February 23, 2012

By Samantha J

Format:Paperback

Julia Bailey is a true mompreneur, a wife and mother of two boys who is desperately trying to get her business off the ground. After having her first son and actually thinking about what food and fillers she was putting into his system, she knew she wanted to do better. And Julia's Child was born - a company that makes organic toddler meals, showing young kids that vegetables deserve a chance. But how much will Julia sacrifice to see her products on Whole Foods shelves? Her husband is missing her, her kids are spending more time with the nanny, and someone is now trying to sabotage Julia's vegetable fields. Can Julia do it all?

I had a lot of fun reading this debut from Sarah Pinneo. Julia was such a great character, sometimes a little uptight and one-minded, but all for good reason. I sometimes feel like her - being twisted in so many directions and trying to be an entrepreneur and keep my head above water - and I don't have a husband or kids! I give her many kudos for what she was trying to achieve. I have to say, I think my favorite character was actually Julia's husband, Luke. It's so common now to read books where the husband eventually leaves or is caught with the nanny. Luke was a true man, a loving husband, and a wonderful father. The little boys made a great addition to the book as well.

The ending had me a bit befuddled. The last few chapters felt a bit rushed to me, and I kept having to Google terms so I could understand what was happening to Julia and her business. It would have been nice if some of the corporate terms were explained a bit so I knew more of what was going on, but that was really my only issue with the book. This is a strong debut from Pinneo, and I'll be sure to read more from her. Even if you are not a mom, I think this book should go on your to-read list - it's a good one!

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars If Carl Hiassen Was a NYC Mom February 2, 2012

By K. J. DellAntonia

Format:Paperback

If Carl Hiassen wrote about Upper West Side and Brooklyn parents instead of the Florida Everglades, this is the comedy he'd produce. It's a thoroughly researched, passionate skewering of what it means to try to be the right kind of mother in a particular place at a particular time, what it is to take risks on a business and a belief, and what it is to have to rely on the big machines of publicity and financing to succeed. Ironic, bubbly, funny--a really good read.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't just sample. . . January 31, 2012

By Rosemary DiBattista

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

but take great big bites of Julia's Child, Sarah Pinneo's warm and witty fiction debut. Pinneo explores a dilemma familiar to females everywhere--love vs. work--in a way that is smart and fun. With a likable protagonist and a great cast of secondary characters, Julia's Child plays like best sort of thirties screwball comedy, one with both a heart AND a brain.

You'll root for Julia as she struggles to realize her dream, wish Marta were your best friend, and maybe crush just a little on her husband Luke. More than anything, though, you'll recognize her as she struggles to balance her love for her family with her professional goals. Whether Foodie Mom or SUV Suburbanite, there's a little bit of Julia in all of us.