Whether you’re entertaining garden sprites, feeding a regiment of toy soldiers, or simply whiling away a lazy afternoon, Mud Pies and Other Recipes is the only make-believe cookbook you’ll ever need. With Marjorie Winslow’s timeless guide on hand, you’ll never be at a loss for something to do in your backyard or by the seashore; you’ll be busy scooping up sand (a filling for Stuffed Sea Shells), hunting for flower petals (they make lovely hors d’oeuvres), and collecting raindrops (essential for brewing up Fried Water). The book is organized by course, and includes a general discussion of yard cookery along with detailed ingredient lists, methods for preparation, and helpful serving suggestions. And on every page, Erik Blegvad’s delightful pen-and-ink drawings ensure that Mud Pies and Other Recipes is a feast for the eyes as well as the imagination.

“This charming and fastidiously complete resource has been reissued thankfully by the New York Review Children's Collection…. Mud Pies delights because, like the very best children's books, it gives young folks their due. Winslow's recipes appeal to the considerable wit, sophistication and imaginative prowess of many young children…. Winslow's book is a gem.” —Prospero, on The Economist website

“When I was about five years old, Granny gave me my first cookbook—Mud  Pies and Other Recipes. Even though it was a pretend cookbook, it somehow persuaded me that real cooking must be fun.”—Sara Moulton

""Designed for five-year olds, this will, I suspect, appeal to the little girl within us all...a charming beautifully illustrated handbook for doll's tea-parties and fairy picnics. A great stocking filler. Make sure you wrap it in pink tissue."" -The Bookseller (UK)

“An adorable little book with charming pictures and a deadpan text.” –Publishers Weekly

 

“The children’s book sensation of the year…” –Newsweek

 

“Delightfully digestible…” –Life

 

“Heaven on Earth–for the young and their readers-out-loud.” –Harper’s Bazaar

 

“One of the most charming picture books ever published.” –Horn Book

 

“Children will race with it to back yard, beach, or woods and get right to work.” –Chicago Tribune

 

“The nicest oddball cookbook of the year…it has Escoffier and Brillat-Savarin beat a literary mile.” –Life

 

“…a haunting little engraving on each page and recipes that are poetry.” –Indianapolis News