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Adventure Chef #1
Rutabaga the Adventure Chef
A fantasy graphic novel series follows an "adventure chef" named Rutabaga, who travels to a fantasy land to find bizarre ingredients to cook in his enchanted cauldron. The books will include pages straight out of Rutabaga's cookbooks, with recipes that readers can make at home.
128 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2015
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1439 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 227 reviews
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April 27, 2015This book is delightful and adorable!
Who doesn’t love the fantasy-adventure traveling chef? Especially when he’s occasional the one to save the day through his amazing cooking prowess?
This is a book for everyone who secretly wants to go on a quest . . . but still wants delicious food along the way!
Who doesn’t love the fantasy-adventure traveling chef? Especially when he’s occasional the one to save the day through his amazing cooking prowess?
This is a book for everyone who secretly wants to go on a quest . . . but still wants delicious food along the way!
March 20, 2018
This is the cutest book. I was intrigued by it because I love stories to do with cooking and food. My dad was a chef and I grew up in the kitchen, so it's a nice relatable bit of nostalgia for me.
The artwork is adorable. It's fun for kids with good details and even better facial expressions. I could very easily see this as a fun anime-styled cartoon on the Cartoon Network or Nickelodeon, or even PBS Kids. It's a high adventure mixed with a lot of humor. Reading it made me smile even as an adult, and I think that says a lot for a book aimed at younger folks. My ARC was not a full color copy, though the finalized version is in full color I'm told. I think the color would certainly make it more fun, but even in black and white it was well received.
I think it's cool that there's little recipes and cooking steps throughout the book. Some of them are for fantastical ingredients that the chef finds on his culinary adventures, but others are things that kids can try to make at home.
It's a silly, funny quest that I think elementary school kids will love. Like a Baby Einstein's version of the show No Reservations. I'd definitely pick up the second book in this series.
The artwork is adorable. It's fun for kids with good details and even better facial expressions. I could very easily see this as a fun anime-styled cartoon on the Cartoon Network or Nickelodeon, or even PBS Kids. It's a high adventure mixed with a lot of humor. Reading it made me smile even as an adult, and I think that says a lot for a book aimed at younger folks. My ARC was not a full color copy, though the finalized version is in full color I'm told. I think the color would certainly make it more fun, but even in black and white it was well received.
I think it's cool that there's little recipes and cooking steps throughout the book. Some of them are for fantastical ingredients that the chef finds on his culinary adventures, but others are things that kids can try to make at home.
It's a silly, funny quest that I think elementary school kids will love. Like a Baby Einstein's version of the show No Reservations. I'd definitely pick up the second book in this series.
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September 9, 2016D&D for kids, except your powers all revolve around being a great chef. In comics.
Cute, brightly colored, good for the Lunch Lady, Babymouse set who aren't quite ready for Zita the Spacegirl, Monster on the Hill etc.
Easy to follow, some silly recipes (all the ingredients in the story are fictional - the only recipes you could actually make are in the extra matter at the back).
Cute, brightly colored, good for the Lunch Lady, Babymouse set who aren't quite ready for Zita the Spacegirl, Monster on the Hill etc.
Easy to follow, some silly recipes (all the ingredients in the story are fictional - the only recipes you could actually make are in the extra matter at the back).
April 16, 2015
'Rutabaga the Adventure Chef' adds a foodie to an adventuring D&D type adventure with pretty funny results.
Rutabaga and his travelling cooking pot, Pot, are in search of exotic ingredients. When a party of adventurers runs across him, he decides to join them with his huge portable kitchen strapped across his back, and his battle cry, "Let's Get Cooking!" they go in search of a dragon, and any exotic ingredients that Rutabaga can find. In the second adventure, Rutabaga gets hired to cook for a king's new pet, a strange lizard-like creature named Norman. In the final adventure, he ends up in a cookoff in a seedy bar against a cook who only cooks up gruel.
It's fun and the strange ingredients and odd recipes only add to the humor. The art is black and white and it's a little on the rough side, but I liked it. It might be a bit on the violent side for younger readers (one character is beheaded), but it's a good concept and I enjoyed meeting Rutabaga and Pot and I hope they have more adventures.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Abrams, Amulet Books, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Rutabaga and his travelling cooking pot, Pot, are in search of exotic ingredients. When a party of adventurers runs across him, he decides to join them with his huge portable kitchen strapped across his back, and his battle cry, "Let's Get Cooking!" they go in search of a dragon, and any exotic ingredients that Rutabaga can find. In the second adventure, Rutabaga gets hired to cook for a king's new pet, a strange lizard-like creature named Norman. In the final adventure, he ends up in a cookoff in a seedy bar against a cook who only cooks up gruel.
It's fun and the strange ingredients and odd recipes only add to the humor. The art is black and white and it's a little on the rough side, but I liked it. It might be a bit on the violent side for younger readers (one character is beheaded), but it's a good concept and I enjoyed meeting Rutabaga and Pot and I hope they have more adventures.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Abrams, Amulet Books, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
April 5, 2016
I picked this graphic novel up today while working on the Bookmobile, reading bits when I had a chance. It's very popular with kids and the colorful cover caught my eye. I wasn't sure if it'd be any good, but I enjoyed it from the minute I opened it. A graphic novel that combines fantasy, humor, and a love for food? Yes, please!
Rutabaga is quite hilarious and very adorable. The art style is fun, as it seemed to mix different aspects of Internet imagery.
Also, I found myself identifying with Rutabaga's love of foods very much. Like the character, I have a hard time resisting the stuff. Especially desserts. It's my sweet downfall.
Rutabaga, the Adventure Chef is just a cute, fun, and quirky little adventure. I'm looking forward to reading volume two as soon as the Bookmobile gets it!
Rutabaga is quite hilarious and very adorable. The art style is fun, as it seemed to mix different aspects of Internet imagery.
Also, I found myself identifying with Rutabaga's love of foods very much. Like the character, I have a hard time resisting the stuff. Especially desserts. It's my sweet downfall.
Rutabaga, the Adventure Chef is just a cute, fun, and quirky little adventure. I'm looking forward to reading volume two as soon as the Bookmobile gets it!
January 8, 2018
Recommended for a D&D group with a chef in the party. This book was really cute and I loved the colorful pictures. Now I'm going to look up the rules for an enchanted pot companion.
May 9, 2020
Read 2020: I am glad I got the chance to re-read this one! This was once again a wonderful and delicious adventure filled with recipes, dragons, monsters, and more. I loved Rutabaga and how he went on fun quests, helped out people, and made some amazing food that I wouldn't mind trying out. Yum! I loved the art it was fun and I liked the colours. All in all, going to be re-reading book 2 soon!
Read 2016: Wow, this was just an amazing fun book.
It is all about Rutabaga, a kid? Man? Boy? Well, at least he is brave, he loves to cook, and doesn't shy away from helping anyone who is in need of helping (good quality). In this book we follow him on his adventures (though he isn't that good at adventuring (given in how much trouble he tends to get), but he has to do it if he wants food for his cooking) and we see him cook all kinds of magical foods (because they are quite magical, that something so ugly as a monster's corpse can look so edible in the end).
Not all foods look magically yummy though, some foods are foods I would stay away from, very very far away.
The book shows us all the recipes and how Rutabaga makes them, and what he needs. I really like that this is added. Now if only we had all those things here in the real world, then we could make them for real. I wouldn't mind trying a few of those recipes. :D
I laughed out loud at Rutabaga's antics, and how he seemed to survive every time.
He also has a best friend, Pot, and I just loved that it was added. It really added some charm to the story (not that it needed that, because it is already charming, but it added more). I loved the reactions of people when they found out that Pot was alive and could just walk around on him/herself.
The art is lovely, I just love how everything is drawn, it is a really nice style and it makes you feel right at home, even when there are dragons to be fought.
The ending was hilarious, yes, Rutabaga you had that one coming. :D
As soon as I finished this one I hurried to order the next one, and I am hoping it will be here soon.
I would highly recommend this book to everyone. It is a fun, laugh out loud, sweet, charming story, and you will want to read more about Rutabaga (for instance, some more backstory would be nice).
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Read 2016: Wow, this was just an amazing fun book.
It is all about Rutabaga, a kid? Man? Boy? Well, at least he is brave, he loves to cook, and doesn't shy away from helping anyone who is in need of helping (good quality). In this book we follow him on his adventures (though he isn't that good at adventuring (given in how much trouble he tends to get), but he has to do it if he wants food for his cooking) and we see him cook all kinds of magical foods (because they are quite magical, that something so ugly as a monster's corpse can look so edible in the end).
Not all foods look magically yummy though, some foods are foods I would stay away from, very very far away.
The book shows us all the recipes and how Rutabaga makes them, and what he needs. I really like that this is added. Now if only we had all those things here in the real world, then we could make them for real. I wouldn't mind trying a few of those recipes. :D
I laughed out loud at Rutabaga's antics, and how he seemed to survive every time.
He also has a best friend, Pot, and I just loved that it was added. It really added some charm to the story (not that it needed that, because it is already charming, but it added more). I loved the reactions of people when they found out that Pot was alive and could just walk around on him/herself.
The art is lovely, I just love how everything is drawn, it is a really nice style and it makes you feel right at home, even when there are dragons to be fought.
The ending was hilarious, yes, Rutabaga you had that one coming. :D
As soon as I finished this one I hurried to order the next one, and I am hoping it will be here soon.
I would highly recommend this book to everyone. It is a fun, laugh out loud, sweet, charming story, and you will want to read more about Rutabaga (for instance, some more backstory would be nice).
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
June 11, 2015
This is a promising first volume in a debut manga-inspired graphic novel series set in an unnamed, medieval fantasy world populated by dragons, vikings, spooky squash, a newt-like somnivore named Norman, and the giant Korkanis. Sound strange? It is, but it somehow works. Readers will have no trouble assimilating to this strange new world, nor to it's unlikely hero - a short, bald adventure chef named Rutabaga - who along with his trusty (animated) cooking pot are on a quest to defeat a dragon, find monsters to have for and/or to dinner, discover new ingredients, and save the day through tasty food. The panels are clean and easy to follow, the artwork is entertaining - capturing the full range of Rutabaga's emotions and folly, and the storyline is full of humor and adventure, as Rutabaga bumbles his way through each episode. Hand this to young readers who are fans of Adventure Time or are ready to graduate from Babymouse and Squish. Includes two real-world recipes for young, adventurous foodies to try out - with a note to seek out a grown-ups help if allergic to peanuts. Highly recommended.
March 2, 2015
This book is hilariously awesome. Rather than following a typical adventure-seeker, Rutabaga is an “adventure chef”. He travels high and low searching for unique ingredients, which often plops him in the middle of real adventure itself! I will absolutely be following up on some of Rutabaga’s future trips.
Throughout the book, Rutabaga’s recipes are listed as if in a real cookbook. This is a fun and unusual aspect of the book that changed it up and kept it interesting. As a bonus for young readers, there are some unique recipes in the back of the book from items you could find at a typical grocery store (no adventuring required!). This would be a great way to get young readers interested in cooking. Highly recommended!
Who should read it? Middle grade and cooking fiends!
See all my reviews and more at www.ReadingToDistraction.com or @Read2Distract
Throughout the book, Rutabaga’s recipes are listed as if in a real cookbook. This is a fun and unusual aspect of the book that changed it up and kept it interesting. As a bonus for young readers, there are some unique recipes in the back of the book from items you could find at a typical grocery store (no adventuring required!). This would be a great way to get young readers interested in cooking. Highly recommended!
Who should read it? Middle grade and cooking fiends!
See all my reviews and more at www.ReadingToDistraction.com or @Read2Distract
January 15, 2015
Introducing Rutabaga, a culinary adventurer willing to travel great distances and defeat dangerous beasts in his quest for the perfect ingredient! Traveling with his pop up kitchen and trusty sidekick, Pot, Rutabaga finds himself in all manner of sticky situations where, despite his underdog status, he manages to save the day and prepare some pretty impressive meals. Full of humor, adventure, and foodie creativity, this first volume of Rutabaga’s adventures is sure to win over even the most reluctant reader.
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March 24, 2016I was pleasantly surprised. Rutabaga is a unique kind of fantasy hero because of his atypical skill set. He hides while the warriors do battle, and then cooks them all a wonderful meal afterwards. But he's never portrayed as weak or cowardly. He knows his strengths and will readily jump into an adventure that will put them to good use. Plus all the characters overreact to pretty much everything and it's adorable. This looks to be a great start to a series for kids who don't see themselves as the bravest or strongest. Because of Rutabaga, they now have a hero to look up to.
Read
April 1, 2024ظريف جدًا جدًا، غالبًا أواجه مشكلة في قراءة قصة مصورة مكونة من فصول كثيرة، لكن هذي القصة ماعندي مشكلة أقرأ سلسلة طويلة منها، للأسف، مافيه إلا فصلين ):
June 1, 2018
Very Cute, perfect for foodies like me. Perfect size for my toddlers little hands. Perfect or my teens. Perfect for everyone. I'll be reading this to my toddler when he is a little older. Fun story with bright illustrations.
March 6, 2020
This book was adorable. It's a fantasy book that stars a chef bent on making tasty food out of the various creatures and plants that populate the world. There are recipes included. The art is exactly what I expected based on the cover.
May 7, 2017
This was super cute, and I loved the fantasy food ingredients. I would love to have a D&D character like Rutabaga!
August 4, 2017
Taking a look at what my son was reading. This is a cute story about a boy chef, his magical pot and the adventures they take looking for new ingredients.
November 19, 2019
I was really expecting that to be a five star read but uhhh it got a little strange toward the end.
June 7, 2020
*3.5
such a fun & delightful read. the art style is 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼
such a fun & delightful read. the art style is 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼
July 12, 2022
Art is beautiful.
Story is supes cute.
I laughed out loud a couple times and snickered on most pages. Such a fun graphic novel, I'll definitely keep an eye out for a number three if the author comes back to this project.
Really excellent.
Story is supes cute.
I laughed out loud a couple times and snickered on most pages. Such a fun graphic novel, I'll definitely keep an eye out for a number three if the author comes back to this project.
Really excellent.
February 6, 2023
its a pretty great book. its very funny and I really enjoyed it.
September 1, 2023
He really was an adventure chef!!!
June 30, 2015
Rutabaga wields a spatula instead of a sword, yet an adventurous spirit still burns in him, leading him to join up with brave fighters, hunting monsters and meeting others. Some recipes are illustrated, with fantasy-type ingredients that could be substituted for modern-world ones fairly easily. Plus, the author includes some recipes at the back of the book so you too can GET COOKING (Rutabaga's war cry)!
Oh, how I loved this book! It exudes charm, it caused me to giggle, and it made me smile lots. It's cute and quirky, with brightly colored, vibrant and expressive artwork to match. My 14 year old son thought it was okay, though it "shows too much cooking for my tastes". He's also a tad out of the age group for this, maybe, even though he's heavily into Dungeons & Dragons, another group that may enjoy this title.
Worth your time, and it won't even take much of that!
Oh, how I loved this book! It exudes charm, it caused me to giggle, and it made me smile lots. It's cute and quirky, with brightly colored, vibrant and expressive artwork to match. My 14 year old son thought it was okay, though it "shows too much cooking for my tastes". He's also a tad out of the age group for this, maybe, even though he's heavily into Dungeons & Dragons, another group that may enjoy this title.
Worth your time, and it won't even take much of that!
February 27, 2015
An easy, comic-book style chapter book for children, "Rutabaga the Adventure Chef" is very entertaining. Rutabaga is a little chef making his way through various adventures -- all seeking new ways to make delicious dishes. The characters he meets along the way lend to an all around good-time book. While there isn't an overall story -- more like mini-adventures to be enjoyed -- readers can take comfort in the fact this will be a series, and they will be chuckling until the last page.
***Many thanks to Abrams/ Amulet Books & NetGalley for providing me a galley to be used for honest review and bookseller purposes***
***Many thanks to Abrams/ Amulet Books & NetGalley for providing me a galley to be used for honest review and bookseller purposes***
July 7, 2015
Sometimes adventures are not what you imagine, and adventurers come in all types. If you are looking for your adventures to contain epic creatures, rare artifacts, danger, drama, slightly disgusting things, and good food, then this is the book for you!
June 9, 2015
Very silly, very fun.
December 29, 2016
This book is adoooorable. Rutabaga is my favourite adventure chef. I love all the magical foods that exist in his world. I'm excited for the next one!
January 26, 2016
Hilarious! I loved the combo of simple illustrations + funny quips, the short chapters, & esp. the real recipes at the very end.
May 2, 2016
A small chef has lots of fun and funny adventures. Some recipes are includes, though good luck finding blood berries and King's Head squash.
June 26, 2020
It perfectly combined the concept of cooking and fantasy adventure! :)
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