Plumfield Moms

The Fabulous Fannie Farmer: Kitchen Scientist and America’s Cook

Reviewed by Sara Masarik
As an admirer of Emma Bland Smith’s delightful Mr. McCloskey’s Marvelous Mallards, I was eager to dive into this delicious offering, The Fabulous Fannie Farmer. It does not disappoint. This inspiring story, paired with sweet and engaging illustrations, invites readers of all ages to explore the life of a remarkable woman who revolutionized the way we think about cooking. Read the full review

The Family Under the Bridge

Reviewed by Sara Masarik
Diane and I are working on a new project involving easy entry chapter books for early readers. We are specifically looking at books that are 120 pages or less and are well-written for that first independent reader audience. After years of seeing The Family Under the Bridge on every list, I had high expectations for what I thought was a classic for young readers. Neither Diane nor I had ever read the book before but because it is so popular, is a Newberry Honor, and was illustrated by Garth Williams, we assumed that it might be perfect for our project. Instead, we found ourselves surprised by how many concerns we had, and we thought it might be helpful to share them here so that parents and librarians can make their own thoughtful decisions. Read the full review

Fannie in the Kitchen: The Whole Story from Soup to Nuts of How Fannie Farmer Invented Recipes with Precise Measurements

Reviewed by Sara Masarik
I came across Fannie in the Kitchen by Deborah Hopkins and illustrated by Nancy Carpenter at a library book sale, and it immediately caught my attention—partly for its creators and partly because it offered that enticing blend of story and history I always find appealing in a picture book biography. Read the full review