Western Canadian author and broadcaster Julie Van Rosedaal is back with a new cookbook, co-authored by Calgary food writer and illustrator Pierre A. Lamielle – oh, and an Englishman who’s been dead for over 100 years called Lewis Carrol. Alice Eats is an adaptation of Carroll’s classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland with new illustrations, and recipes for, and photos of, foods inspired by the story.
Pierre A. Lamielle
The concept, said Lamielle on the phone with his co-author from their publisher’s offices in Vancouver, came about when he approached Rosendaal about collaborating on a cookbook for kids. They discovered they both shared a love for Alice in Wonderland. Rosendaal explained: “It’s such an iconic story, and it’s got such great characters, but it also has so many great food references interspersed throughout the book.”
Julie Van Rosendaal
The recipes are kid friendly, with lots of sandwiches and desserts. Rosendaal and Lamielle wrote the book in part as a way to encourage kids and their parents to get into the kitchen, although Rosendaal said, “I’m not sure I would label it as a kids’ book,” adding she’s spoke to many adults who “it wouldn’t have occurred to them that it was a kids book – it’s really interesting how it appeals to both.”
Both authors hope Alice Eats, with its bright colourful illustrations and literary tie-in will attract readers fatigued by the abundance of conventional cookbooks available. Lamielle said, “Anybody can find a recipe for anything at any point, but finding interesting recipes that have a little more depth, and a little more to them because of their connection to the story is a different experience.”
Alice Eats is available in bookstores across Canada, like The Cookbook Store in Toronto.
Malcolm Jolley is a founding editor of Good Food Revolution and Executive Director of Good Food Media, the company that publishes it. Follow him at twitter.com/malcolmjolley
