Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Children's Book Review: Enchanted Thyme, Book 1 by Ariane Smith


  • Reading level: Ages 9-12
  • Hardcover: 123 pages
  • Publisher: Big Word Press; 1 edition (September 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0981487203
  • ISBN-13: 978-0981487205

Summary:

Enchanted Thyme – Book one in the Delicious Adventure Series.

Every night at bedtime, 10 year old Belinda Phair and her younger brother Peter choose a story for their father, Chef Michael, to read them. One night they discover a new volume on their shelf, a book that neither remembers seeing before, a book that seems to have magically appeared, a book of endless stories, adventures and recipes. The book is “ENCHANTED THYME.” 



That night, as Peter and Belinda drift off to sleep, they're visited by three winged kitchen mice named Marjoram, Basil and Rosemary who whisk them off to the land of Enchanted Thyme.  There they discover a mystical forest heavy under the dark spell of the Fricassee Fairy.  The Fairy's powerful curse of eternal hunger has stricken the land's Queen Topstead.  Everyone in the kingdom is topsy-turvy trying to find a meal that will satisfy the Queen's longing and appetite.  Peter and Belinda are chosen to help the royal kitchen's master chef find just the right secret ingredient for a dish that will satisfy the royal appetite and restore order.
Will they ever be able to break the Fricassee Fairy's curse once and for all?
Well … fairy tales can sometimes come true. 


Read together: Ages 5-8
Read alone: Ages 8-11

To learn more about this book visit the Enchanted Thyme website.


My Review:

What a great book to read with children.  Not only will they go on an adventure, but they will also learn about cooking through fun and easy recipes that are included in each chapter of this book.  This is a great book to introduce to children who are old enough to help out in the kitchen and help you create wonderful and healthy treats.  Just look at one of the recipes that you can make together:

BLUEBERRY BLUSTER
Ingredients
1 Tablespoon sugar
½ cup whole organic milk
¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract or ½ vanilla bean (seeds scraped out)
¼ cup fresh blueberries
6 Tablespoons table or rock salt
1 sandwich size zip lock bag
1 1 gallon zip lock bag
 
Directions
•  Place sugar, milk,vanilla and blueberries in sandwich sized bag and firmly seal
•  Fill gallon sized zip lock ¼ of the way with ice cubes and sprinkle with half of the salt
•  Place sealed bag with milk mixture on top of the ice
•  Cover the bag with more ice cubes and sprinkle with remaining salt
•  Seal bag and shake for about 5 minutes until ice cream sets
•  Spoon ice cream in bowl or cone and enjoy
•  Try adding different fruits, nuts, coconut etc.
        


 Now, how easy was the above recipe.  And, with blueberries in season, this is a must try recipe. 

This book is set up to introduce children to a more modern form of fairy tales.  Your children will want to continue reading each chapter to find out what happens next.  It is simply written that children ages 8-11 would enjoy reading on their own.  If you like series books and are looking for a now book to add to your bedtime reading with your children, why not give Enchanted Thyme a try.  I can't wait for the other books in this series to come out and share with my daughter.


About the Author:



Ariane Smith is an award winning writer with over 20 years experience as a master storyteller and producer of live interactive children's events.  Her interactive storytelling shows have been heralded in print and on TV; and she personally has been cited as “one of New York's top children's entertainers.” Smith's Enchanted Thyme storytelling show and culinary workshop has become a staple at the FoodNetwork NYC Wine and Food Festival.

Her award winning children's novel ENCHANTED THYME is the first in a six book series and has received universal acclaim, even being called “one of the most sought after cookbooks for the holidays” by America Online. She is currently in production with a new 2D animated series for children based on her books.

As a playwright, her trilogy, THE VENUS CYCLE was commissioned by Tribeca Performing Arts Center in New York City where it gained favor in The New York Times, New York Newsday, The Daily News and Theatre Week.  It went on to win many grants including an endowment from the prestigious Harkness Foundation.

Ariane is currently at work on ENCHANTED THYME-Book Two, scheduled for a Spring 2011 release.

Disclosure:  I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.

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