Book Review: How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World
Rating: 
Delectable is the word for this whimsical flight of fancy around the world. It begins with a girl opening a cookbook, and the narrator states, “Making an apple pie is really easy. First, get all the ingredients at the market. Mix them well, bake and serve. Unless, of course, the market is closed.” In that case, it’s time for a steamship voyage to Europe for semolina wheat, a train ride to France for a chicken (which will lay a fresh egg upon arriving home), a boat trip to Sri Lanka for cinnamon (peeled from the kurundu tree under which a leopard is napping). On to England for a milk cow, and Vermont for apples.
When the cheerful protagonist arrives home (by airplane, don’t want the ingredients to spoil), she prepares the ingredients and serves up a warm pie for all her friends (sans ice cream, as the market is still closed). The book ends with a recipe for apple pie.
This story is a wonderful early introduction to the concepts of trade, culture, and cooking, and for thoughtful readers may provide an opportunity to discuss the effect of globalization on national economies. It’s infused with a lighthearted wit and and gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “As American as apple pie.” A delicious excursion.
Christopher Gonzalez (age 4), baking his first apple pie, 9/09
Categories: 4 Stars, Age 04-08, Amblesideonline
Tags: Commerce, Cooking, Fantasies, Food, Humor, Travel
Posted on September 5, 2009
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Delightful! The title alone gives me a thrill. I’ll have to put this one on my library list…