The Redwall Cookbook (Redwall Companion Books) [Mass Market Paperback]

Brian Jacques (Author), Christopher Denise (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up | Series: Redwall Companion Books

Ever read a Redwall novel and wonder exactly what Abbot’s Special Abbey Trifle is? Or how to make Shrimp ’N Hotroot Soup, that delicacy of otters everywhere? Or Mole’s Favourite Turnip and Tater Deeper ’N Ever Pie? From the simple refreshment of Summer Strawberry Fizz to Great Hall Gooseberry Fool, they’re all here, along with dozens of other favorites sure to turn young hands into seasoned chefs, illustrated in full color with all the charm and magic that is Redwall. A gift like no other for fans of the series, old or new.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-7–As much a look book as a cookbook, Redwall gathers recipes for food eaten in the popular series. Endearingly monikered dishes such as Hare's Pawspring Vegetable Soup and Rosey's Jolly Raspberry Jelly Rock Cakes are included, along with Mole's Favourite Deeper 'n' Ever Turnip 'n' Tater 'n' Beetroot Pie. Grouped by season, the dishes are wonderfully evocative of the charm that underlies all of Redwall, and titles like Stones inna Swamp and Savoury Squirrel Bakes have humor. Jacques ties the recipes of each section together with a sweetly told tale of preparations for a seasonal feast, heartily populated with the favorite characters complete with their individual antics and turns of phrase. While the recipes are generally far from simple and often heavy on butter and cream (although almost completely vegetarian), the real appeal of this book lies in its gorgeously rendered and finely detailed illustrations done in acrylic paint and charcoal. Written for an older audience than Jacques's The Great Redwall Feast (Philomel, 1996), this gastronomical visit to the Abbey will be enjoyed by Redwall devotees.–Joyce Adams Burner, Hillcrest Library, Prairie Village, KS
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Brian Jacques lives in England. Christopher Denise lives in Rhode Island.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 104 pages
• Publisher: Philomel (September 22, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399237917
• ISBN-13: 978-0399237911
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #155,923 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A well-known radio personality in his native Liverpool--as well as an actor, stand-up comic, and playwright--Brian Jacques (1939-2011) was the host of "Jakestown" on BBC Radio Merseyside. Ever the performer, Jacques was well-known for applying his acting and entertainment background to his lively presentations to legions of young fans at schools across the United States and England. Brian Jacques was born in Liverpool, England on June 15th, 1939. Along with forty percent of the population of Liverpool, his ancestral roots are in Ireland, County Cork to be exact. He grew up in the area around the Liverpool docks. His interest in adventure stories began at an early age with reading the books of: Daniel Defoe, Sir Henry Rider Haggard, Arthur Conan Doyle, Sir Thomas Malory, Robert Michael Ballantyne, Robert Louis Stevenson, Edgar Rice Burroughs, and Kenneth Grahame. He attended St. John's School, an inner city school that had its playground on the roof. On his first day at St. John's, at the age of ten, he had an experience that marked his potential as a writer. When given an assignment of writing a story about animals, he wrote about the bird that cleaned a crocodile's teeth. The teacher could not, and would not, believe that a ten year old could write that well. When young Brian refused to falsely say that he had copied the story, he was caned as "a liar". He had always loved to write, but it was only then, that he realized that he had a talent for writing. "My favourite teacher was Mr. Austin Thomas. He looked like Lee Marvin. Big Man. A Captain in World War II. He came to school on a big bush bike with the haversack on back. He was a man's man. Always fair. I was fourteen at the time when Mr. Thomas introduced the class to poetry and Greek literature. (Because of him, I saved seven shillings and sixpence to buy The Iliad and The Odyssey at this dusty used book shop.)" This interest in poetry extended to Wordsworth, Tennyson, and Goldsmith. It was also at St. John's that Brian met a teacher, Alan Durband (who also taught two Beatles, Paul McCartney and George Harrison), who, more than thirty years later would bring about a major change in his life. After Brian finished school at fifteen, he set out to find adventure as a merchant seaman. He travelled to many far away ports, including New York, Valparaiso, San Francisco, and Yokohama. Tiring of the lonely life of a sailor, he returned to Liverpool where he worked as a railway fireman, a longshoreman, a long-distance truck driver, a bus driver, a boxer, a bobby (Police Constable 216D), a postmaster, and a stand-up comic. Jacques passed away in February of 2011 at the age of 71.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

68 of 72 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brian Jacques is Truly Magical!, October 6, 2005

By 

Dana-L (The Pacific Wonderland, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Redwall Cookbook (Redwall Companion Books) (Mass Market Paperback)

Mr. Jacques' descriptions of the feasts in his Redwall books are so tantalizing that our ten-year-old son was inspired to request *beets* for dinner. If that's not magical, what is? What's even better is that our boy ate the beets and liked them!

We had the opportunity to meet Brian at a book signing two days ago and it was wonderful. He summarized his approach to writing books ("Paint pictures with words!") and entertained the kids with stories of his youth and early days as an author.

Our son has spent hours curled-up with the Redwall Cookbook (signed!) and our plan for the weekend is to purchase a selection of root vegetables (plus some ginger ale and grape juice to make a batch of October Ale) and try some of the recipes ourselves.

Bravo, Mr. Jacques, and thank you for writing such terrific books!

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Pleasant Surprise!, June 19, 2006

By 

D. Smith "sweethome" (near Nashville, TN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Redwall Cookbook (Redwall Companion Books) (Mass Market Paperback)

I reluctantly bought this for a daughter who loves Redwall books and cooking. The first pleasant surprise came upon opening the book and seeing how visually pleasing it is. It's lovely! The next came when our daughter starting working her way through the book, with the goal of making each recipe. She's about half-way through and each one thus far has been delicious; something our whole family enjoyed. Most cookbooks yield a handful of recipes that are keepers but The Redwall Cookbook is amazingly, consistently good. This is a purchase I'm glad I made.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars At Last!, December 1, 2005

By 

R. E. Windon "His Majesty's Storyteller" (InkWorld) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Redwall Cookbook (Redwall Companion Books) (Mass Market Paperback)

I've been waiting for this cookbook for years - every time I read a Redwall book, I crave comfort food like mad! I tried the Deep'r n' ever turnip an' tater an' beetroot pie this week, and my husband and I quite liked it! It only made one layer of each part in a 9" square pan, though, so if you really want it deep'r n' ever, you'd probably have to double the recipe. I can't wait to try some of the pastry recipes!