It wasn’t until after I baked Digory’s plum cake that I remembered Jane Brocket’s Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer, a treasury of the desserts, confections, and treats found within the pages of classic children’s literature. I gasped when she first revealed her project on her blog. What an amazing endeavor to take on! One part intellectual, one part just plain fun. My favorite kind of project.
I never did buy the book. It’s impossible to find in the U.S. at a reasonable price, and most of the recipes reference classic literature best known to British children. After making the plum cake, I searched online to see if the book was available now, years later. Not for less than $100, it isn’t! Instead, I found an Americanized version called Turkish Delights and Treasure Hunts, a book in a similar vein that draws from classics I remember. Included, of course, is The Chronicles of Narnia. I haven’t seen the book, but I suspect a recipe for plum cake isn’t included. The reference to plum cake was a metaphor, and I believe Brocket only wrote recipes for foods that played a part in their originating stories. She had to draw a line somewhere. Like, maybe, I don’t know…Turkish Delight?
[update: Emily is psychic.]
I found used copies of Cherry Cake & Ginger Beer on Amazon for about $35.
Thanks, Bethany! I wish I could see the condition of the book. Full price for a used book makes me nervous!
WOW! I bought the book when it first came out in the US and didn’t pay anything close to that. Sorry. I just realized how that sounds (yay me!)…..:o)
What a fun idea! I’ll have to look into both of them … used might be the way to go. But they have to be really good copies … I have certain issues when it comes to my books … :)
I agree, Amy. I wouldn’t mind paying $35 for a used book if it was in mint condition. After all, I have a few books that are technically used but have never been cracked open. (*cough*) It’s the people selling the used book I don’t trust! I once bought a “great condition, barely used” book on Amazon and it looked like it went through a washing machine. The first few pages were cut out, too. (Not text, just the blank pages where one would write an inscription.) Ever since then I have remained suspect of Amazon sellers.
I’m a sucker for these books, even when I was a kid. My mom supported the attempts to recreate the things in books I read and got me the craft and cookbook for the Anne of Green Gables series and then a cookbook for The Little House on the Prairie series.. Looks like I have more books to add to the wishlist now though. ;)
Oh, I will have to look into this Anne of Green Gables craft and cookbook! How sweet would that be to give to one of my nieces?
p.s. You left a heck of a comment on D16 yesterday, Querencia. You said everything I wanted to say, and more.
I was kind of taken aback by how kind people were about the comment, especially Anna. I’ve really enjoyed her blog and like her readership so that was some sprinkles on my morning with my coffee, and thank you again, here. Your comment back was how I found your blog, so the blog love grows ;)
The book is The Anne Of Green Gables Treasury. Amazon links are obscene so http://tinyurl.com/3egp2yo
I’d suggest a tea party, without any cordial, if you get it for your niece. It looks like there’s a Christmas treasury that I not only don’t have but had never even seen.
For used books my(nearby, but still MY) Half Priced books will keep an eye out for titles for me. Not sure if there is one near you. Most used book stores aren’t up to it so it’s a well loved service that garners my loyalty…
I don’t have a Half Priced books near me, but I do have a used bookstore that I haven’t once thought to comb through. Shameful.
Thanks for that link–very tempting! I might buy it for me instead of my nieces! Also tempting, the Annotated Anne (hardcover) that was in the “also viewed” section. I love annotated books.
I purchased the Turkish Delights & Treasure Hunts for $2.87 new from amazon- I can’t wait for it to get here and Jeremiah and I can use it to explore and stretch our imaginations! Thanks for the post- I would’ve never ever known about this awesome book!
That’s great, Becca! Let me know if you like it and I will buy it, too. At $2.87, I’m comfortable taking a risk and buying it sight unseen.
I have a friend who is currently living in England. I checked Waterstones website and it is 16.99 bps so a little under $30.00. She’ll be back in the states in a few months time. I could see if she could look for it. Otherwise I will be in London in March and would be glad to look.
That would be great! I know I shouldn’t be surprised since birds of a feather flock together, but I love that the majority of people who read my blog get excited over books and have childhood memories involving some of the classics. For a long time, I thought I was the only one. God Bless Blogging.