Turkish Delight & Treasure Hunts: Delightful Treats and Games from Classic Children's Books

by Jane Brocket

"We must do something," said Alice....
"Yes, but what shall we do?" said Dicky....
"Let's read all the books again. We shall get lots of ideas out of them."
- The Story of the Treasure Seekers E. Nesbit

With the delightful activities and delicious recipes in Turkish Delight & Treasure Hunts you'll learn how to follow in the footsteps of your favorite childhood heroes, from the Borrowers and Alice in Wonderland to the Ingalls family and Winnie-the-Pooh.

Whether you're young or not-so-young, learn how

* Make Turkish Delight, like the treat served in Narnia
* Create Laura Ingalls Wilder's exciting Sugar on Snow
* Master the art of breakfast in bed with Paddington Bear
* Play your own version of croquet, as Alice in Wonderland does
* Learn poems by heart, like Anne of Green Gables
* Watch a spider spin her web, like E. B. White's Charlotte
* Enjoy Winnie-the-Pooh and Christopher Robin's favorite pastime- Poohsticks

Genres: Nonfiction, Cookbooks, Books About Books, Cooking, Food, Childrens, Adult

208 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2010

About the author

[From the author's website:]

My first book The Gentle Art of Domesticity was published by Hodder & Stoughton in October 2007. My second book Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer was published by Hodder & Stoughton in July 2008 and my third book with Hodder Ripping Things to Do was published in July 2009. September 2008 saw the publication in the USA of The Gentle Art of Domesticity by STC Crafts/Melanie Falick Books.

The Gentle Art of Quilt-making was published by Collins & Brown in Spring 2010. It is also published in the US by C&T Publishing (http://www.ctpub.com), in Australia by Penguin, and in a Dutch language edition by Veltman Uitgevers BV.

I am also the creator of the yarnstorm blog. I set up yarnstorm in February 2005 in order to write about knitting but the subject matter soon expanded to include quilting, baking, gardening, colour, inspiration, books, paintings and films (in fact, all the good things in domestic life). I am now blogging at the new jane brocket blog at www.yarnstorm.blogs.com/jane_brocket

I live with my husband Simon and our three children in Berkshire.

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yes indeed, I have personally been rather majorly disappointed with Turkish Delight & Treasure Hunts: Delightful Treats and Games from Classic Children’s Books. And no, my annoyance and frustration has nothing really to do with the specifics of the actual contents and themes author Jane Brocket presents but with the inescapable fact of the matter that ALL of the featured foods (and corresponding recipes) found in Turkish Delight & Treasure Hunts: Delightful Treats and Games from Classic Children’s Books are taken and indeed quite often totally verbatim at that from her, from Jane Brocket’s Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer: A Golden Treasury of Classic Treats, something that I for one and because Brocket has also not bothered to point this out, has not in any manner made this clear, do indeed at least somewhat consider a trifle academically dishonest (even if the author is of course actually plagiarising from herself, from a previous book penned by her).

And while readers unfamiliar with Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer: A Golden Treasury of Classic Treats might well (and likely even should) be charmed with and by Turkish Delight & Treasure Hunts: Delightful Treats and Games From Classic Children’s Books, for me personally, that ONLY the featured and described games are novel, are previously unknown to me, this does in fact rather make me feel more than a bit cheated. For indeed, if I had known that every single food recipe from Turkish Delight & Treasure Hunts: Delightful Treats and Games From Classic Children’s Books already does appear in Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer: A Golden Treasury of Classic Treats (and which I also own) I most certainly would not have bothered purchasing a personal copy of the former, as the games described in Turkish Delight & Treasure Hunts: Delightful Treats and Games From Classic Children’s Books, they really do not interest me all that much anyhow, and certainly not enough to accept that all of the recipes, that all of the foods shown and featured have simply been harvested, have just been gleaned by Jane Brocket from a prior work, from her Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer: A Golden Treasury of Classic Treats.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very useful recipes and activities to enhance great books. Looking forward to seeing what else this author came up with in the two books that this one was drawn from: Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer: A Golden Treasury of Classic Treats and Ripping Things To Do: The Best Games And Ideas From Children's Books.

Everything in this book is found in the earlier two. The difference is that this book is edited for an American audience, so measurements use volume instead of weight and there are a few altered terms (rain boots for Wellies). Books that are supposedly too British have been excluded, so Ransome and Blyton (save one exception) are out; a shame.

The one thing this book does much better is the table of contents: it goes alphabetically by author, then by book, then by recipe/activity name. In the originals, it's difficult to locate things (even the specific names aren't always listed in the index).

[Cheryl]

Not rated. Nothing for me now, and nothing that I could imagine doing with my kids back in the day, except for the things we already did of course (like snow angels). Also too British and the books are generally too old to interest us.

I mean, hypothetically it seems nice and fun etc. But did any of the reviewers who liked it actually read the books and do the stuff with their families?

[Jera Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a darling book- a sweet source of inspiration while enjoying young children's literature.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely look at the recipes and games from books of the golden age of children's literature.

Whether you're young or not-so-young, learn how to:
* Make Turkish Delight, like the treat served in Narnia
* Create Laura Ingalls Wilder's exciting Sugar on Snow
* Master the art of breakfast in bed with Paddington Bear
* Play your own version of croquet, as Alice in Wonderland does
* Learn poems by heart, like Anne of Green Gables
* Watch a spider spin her web, like E. B. White's Charlotte
* Enjoy Winnie-the-Pooh and Christopher Robin's favorite pastime- Poohsticks

[Kat · Rating 2 out of 5]

I borrowed this from the library thinking it would really delve into an analysis on English children’s literature and the food within, but it was more of a broad brush stroke of a few key books and not just in foods. It’s a cute book, great for parents as it features recipes, games, holidays activities all inspired or from within classics such as Mary Poppins, Danny the Champion of the World, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang among others. Reading this made me realise that I had a pretty great childhood.

[Me · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting collection of recipes and games from children's literature. Some are easy such as Pancake Men from Little House on the Prairie. Others, such as Paddington Bear's Favorite Marmalade Buns are a bit more challenging. The only real problem with this book is that many of today's kids won't be familiar with the texts that are referenced such as Little Women or Wind in the Willows.

[joy *the clean-reader extraordinaire* · Rating 2 out of 5]

a great idea, but really geared for parents of the school-aged. these are also somewhat obscure "classic children's books" in my opinion.

[Roberta · Rating 3 out of 5]

As promised in the subtitle, this book was chockful of recipes and games from children's literature. Marmalade and buns were featured heavily. Maybe that's a British thing? Once I read the background of the dishes, I skipped over most of the actual recipes as I did not intend to make any of them except for the homemade hash browns cooked in bacon fat, as might have been served in a 1950's Maine farmhouse (p 160). I'm sure they're not good for me, but they sound delicious.

On page 70 the author provides a list of ten books to read by the fire in winter. I have already read two of them ("Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott and The "Little House" books by Laura Ingalls Wilder). Upon briefly researching the others, I determined there were a few I might want to read ("The Rat-a-Tat Mystery" by Enid Blyton and "Ballet Shoes" by Noel Stretfeild) and some that I most definitely do not want to read ("The Box of Delights" by John Masefield and "The Peppermint Pig" by Nina Bawden).

[Alicia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'd read and was very disappointed - I'd thought it was going to be a study of the role of food in the Golden Age of children's literature - and this was bought for me by a family member who had remembered that I'd read the other and didn't remember that I didn't like it.

This just isn't a book for me. I don't have children and I can't imagine ever being desperate enough to suggest these "games" to the children I spend time with. And most of the recipes aren't really things I can imagine many children wanting to eat (roasted pig's tail? Unsweetened cornbread anyone?). In addition the organisation of the book was a bit strange - some characters were mentioned as if everyone knows who they are (I didn't) and some that I am familiar with had a lot of explanation. Or a character would be mentioned as assumed knowledge and then in the following chapter they would be explained. Or the same details would be repeatedly mentioned about them.

[Candis · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book the author pulls delightful activities from classic children's books and provides the details needed to build fabulous memories with your children or grandchildren...or any children you might be able to borrow for an afternoon. An absolute trove of ideas linked to the reading of good books. Besides being fun activities this is an exciting way to open the world of books to children. I am looking forward to making a Toasting Fire straight out of Wind in the Willows or eating Breakfast in Bed and reading some Paddington Bear with my grandchildren.

I give it only 4 stars because I disagree with the author on some of her book choices...there are so many to choose from that would have been better. But 5 stars for the idea. I can't wait to read books with children with a new eye to linking fun activities to them.

[Beth Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the idea of this book: classic children's literature inspires our imaginations and is full of wonderful ideas for foods to make and games to play. I could not count the number of times growing up that my sisters and I made believe something that we had read. I'm trying to help Emma (and Will as be gets old enough) to do the same thing. We had a blast making Turkish Delight, though not using this recipe.

I was not familiar with a number of the stories featured, so now I have a few classics to put on my reading list. I think this would be a great book to work through with kids who are a little older than mine are right now. More than what is listed in this book, I think I will try to be more creative when it comes to integrating our activities with favorite books.

I think I would have given this book a higher rating if I felt like I just HAD to try more of the recipes.

[Dianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots and lots of ideas for things to do, straight out of classic children's literature. Make toast over the fire like Mr. Tumnus, taste some of Anne Shirley's raspberry cordial, or make snow candy like Laura Ingalls. There's plenty to do in this book for children and adults—and lots of ideas for good books to read.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was concerned that since this book was in sections and had recipes, it wouldn't be very readable. Thank goodness I was wrong. I have been so hooked to this book the moment I got it and have already baked a few items from it. This had given me many ideas of things I want to do for myself, as well as nieces and nephews. I will be buying this book as presents for friends this year for sure.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unveils some of the secrets of your favorite children's books, what is Marvelous Toad in the Hole or how do you make Wind in the Willow's Picnicn Cress Sandwiches, or even how do you have a Pipp's Tree Party. A sweet little book.

[GoldenjoyBazyll]

What a disappointment. The title sounded wonderful and the description conjured up magical visions but all this book delivered was a host of boring activities related to the authors favorite books. DO NOT WASTE UR $$$$$

[louisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am willing to forgive its shortfallings because it gave me recipes for Paddington's Marmalade Buns and Dickon's Roasted Eggs as well as things mentioned in the Narnia books, Mary Poppins, and Pippi. Also, Carolina, let me know if you want the activities from the Betsy-Tacy books.

[Relyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun companion book to Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer. We should all be so lucky to have a mother like Jane Brocket. If you love to read and want your children to as well, you'll find this to be a great resource book.

[Kerrie]

Great recipes to try and games/activities to explore. Enjoyed the trip down memory lane for many books I read when younger and discovered a stack I'd like to read another time. An easy read. Focus is on classic English lit but there are a few Australian and American books referred to too.

[BookKids · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever wanted to taste Mr Tumnus's Toasty Tea or play a rousing game of Pooh Sticks? We certainly have, and now we can pay homage to our favorite classics with this inspired guide.

[Lupine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty much one of those books that was written expressly for me. Activities and recipes inspired by my childhood favorites? Sold!

[Karrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as great as I had thought it would be, but some cute ideas are in there. Most would be appropriate for the 4-8 years range, maybe a bit older.

[Christiane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved so many of these books when I was a child (Little Women, The Secret Garden, The Wind in the Willows, Pippi Longstocking, Betsy-Tacy) so this book was just a pleasure to read.

[Katharine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some really cute ideas for projects to do while reading classic childrens books. Probably for 3-4th grade, my K-1st graders haven't read many of the books yet.

[Tuuli · Rating 3 out of 5]

skimmed

[Bea Elwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably would have been even better if I had an actual preteen to read/do the activities with.

[Denise Spicer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful jaunt down memory lane for adult fans of children’s literature this book gives great advice to parents on recipes and activities inspired by classic kids’ books.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book accidentally came up while I was looking in my library's electronic catalog (funny that I can't remember what I was actually searching for), and it sounded lovely. The author takes food and activities from classic children's books and presents them for readers to attempt. Some are ones I've always been curious about, like Turkish Delight from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Sugar on Snow from Little House in the Big Woods. The activities range from flying a kite or making a time capsule to the very simple pleasures of puddle-jumping or watching a spider weave a web. This book came from the adult nonfiction stacks, but I can imagine myself reading it at the age of 10 or 12 and trying many things on my own and begging my mother or older brother to help me with the more complicated ones. If nothing else, it will be a nostalgic trip back in time for life-long readers.

[Theresa F. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming, but very British in style and content. What this means for American readers is that some of the recipes included may be harder to replicate, because they contain ingredients that are more common in the United Kingdom, but could be difficult to get in this country. Still an interesting and at times educating read. If you've ever read Little Women and wondered what a pickled lime is, or read Pollyanna and wanted to know why calf's-foot jelly was given to sick people, this is a book worth perusing.
Did I like it? Yes.
Would I reread it? Maybe.
Would I recommend it? As a book that gives deeper insight into classic children's literature, yes. As a recipe book, probably not.

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Jello Trifle to Picnic Cress Sandwidges, from playing Pooh sticks to making a melon seed necklace, this book highlights recipes and fun activities culled from children's literature. It evokes having fun without needing tons of toys or spending much. Ideas came from books written by authors such as Louisa May Alcott, Enid Blyton, Roald Dahl and E. Nesbit, to name a few and each chapter was a delight to read.