Fannie in the Kitchen
This delightful children’s tale is based on a young girl, Marcia Shaw, learning to cook from the infamous Fannie Merritt Farmer. Hopkinson includes quotes, recipes (slightly changed), and tips from the 1896 and 1906 editions of the Boston Cooking School Cookbook, works revised by Farmer. Fannie in the Kitchen also highlights many long forgotten cooking particulars, such as testing eggs for freshness, which was once a necessary component of cooking. In the story, Farmer emphasizes to young Marcia the importance of measuring precisely. These tricks and practices provide a very authentic historical element to the book. By the time Fannie leaves the Shaw household (Fannie’s real life employer), Marcia is well on her way to becoming quite a cook. Carpenter’s illustrations are mouth-watering and will tempt readers of any age into the kitchen! Ages 4-8
