Fairy cooking - Rebecca Gilpin

Fairy Cooking

With a few family birthdays on the horizon, Little Miss, naturally wanted to do her bit for the tea parties, so knowing how she enjoys cooking, this seemed an appropriate starting point for the occasions.

The book itself is produced by usborne, so having bought Usborne books before, I knew that it would be good value and that the "makes" would be child appropriate. Naturally, being on an almost ...
...18 makes- Spangly Heart biscuits; Fairy fudge; fairy Muffins; Swirly pink Biscuits; Fairy Star biscuits; Flowery cut out biscuits; Tiny fairy cakes; Iced raspberry mousse; Cut out sandwiches; Chocolate Cobweb cookies; Butterfly cakes; Little Cheese Scones; Mini Meringues; Confetti Cookies; Marzipan toadstools.

I have listed them because when I look at the list, the cynic in me tells me that these are all baking activities which can ... more

Fairy Cooking

With a few family birthdays on the horizon, Little Miss, naturally wanted to do her bit for the tea parties, so knowing how she enjoys cooking, this seemed an appropriate starting point for the occasions.

The book itself is produced by usborne, so having bought Usborne books before, I knew that it would be good value and that the "makes" would be child appropriate. Naturally, being on an almost permanent pink fest, the front cover was instantly appealing to Little Miss- what more could a little lady want…this is a pink book featuring cakes and fairies!

The book itself has the instructions for 18 makes- Spangly Heart biscuits; Fairy fudge; fairy Muffins; Swirly pink Biscuits; Fairy Star biscuits; Flowery cut out biscuits; Tiny fairy cakes; Iced raspberry mousse; Cut out sandwiches; Chocolate Cobweb cookies; Butterfly cakes; Little Cheese Scones; Mini Meringues; Confetti Cookies; Marzipan toadstools.

I have listed them because when I look at the list, the cynic in me tells me that these are all baking activities which can be found in any cookery book, and need only to be adapted to include hearts and pink decorations.

However, that thought aside- this is no ordinary cook book, this is a fairy cook book. Without preamble, the book goes immediately into "make it" mode, with a double page spread for each activity. Each "make" has a list of required ingredients and equipment, and thankfully for mum gives measurements in Imperial and Metric. The instructions themselves are given in a series of pictures and writing, interspersed with fairies flying around the pages, sprinkling fairy dust. All of the instructions have little tips, such as reminding children when they need an adult to help, and the pages have a strong emphasis on the pink, heart, sparkly theme.

Although many of the makes make use of simple recipes- basic biscuit and cup cake mixtures, the fact that they give ideas for making them more fairy like is a bonus. It means that rather than thinking how to make a sandwich appeal to a little lady, I just have to follow the instructions with her!

**Other bits of information**

ISBN: 0-7460-5666-4

Publisher: Usborne (2003)

Price: £4.99

Website: www.usborne.co.uk

**Other related publications**

Usborne have published a few books on the pink/fairy/princess theme, such as:

How to draw princesses and ballerinas
How to draw fairies and mermaids
Fairy things to make and do
Sparkly things to make and do

I think we may have most of the collection on this theme; they are an excellent buy for children (or adults) who like this kind of thing

**What I think of it**

The book has been a hit, and has had some usage at home and at grandma's house. It seems that time and time again the pink sugar strands and food colouring are being used to make another make.

The things are very easy to make- not being a great cook/baker, even I have been able to help Little Miss produce pleasant tasting cakes, and of course, her decorating of the cakes and biscuits will always get a round of applause. The ingredients and equipment needed are things which could be found in most kitchen cupboards- there is need to buy odd and difficult to find utensils and trays.

The thing we did notice, however, is that the ingredients given make absolutely tiny amounts of the mix- we tended to treble the amounts given, or at least double them, otherwise it seemed we were dirtying bowls for two cakes!

The step by step instructions are easy to follow, and although to make the cakes and biscuits safely an adult is required, children can follow the stages of the makes by following the pictures. It's a great way to let them learn the sequence of instructions, and I like the fact that each picture is numbered, so children can find where they go next.

The makes are not just pink- we are saving the cobweb cookies for Halloween, and the toadstools are particularly effective dotted round a table. So, all in all, a great book with easy to understand instructions, appealing makes, and lovely pictures.

Thanks for reading.

Daniela xx
 

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