To Stir
With Love pays
homage to one grandmother in particular - and to all grandparents (along with
special cake recipes!) in general.
Kate
Mildenhall is best known for her acclaimed books for adult readers and as a
presence in the literary scene, while Jess Racklyeft is a celebrated and
awarded illustrator. So, this perhaps unexpected pairing actually feels like a
perfect match. A slam dunk, if you will!
‘Grandma’s
cake is golden and scrumpti-licious and always big enough for everybody.’
This story contains cake, memories, dreams, love and connection. We learn the secrets that make Grandma’s cake super-special, and are shown how to make a wish into the batter.
Every step
of the cake-making process with Grandma, involves chatting, sharing and
togetherness along with the gorgeous, evocative recurring motif:
‘My little
hand and Grandma’s old hand, wrinkled and sure.’
We learn
that although Grandma may forget some things, the sure steadiness of her hands is
a tactile reminder of her warmth – and of the connection between generations.
Layered
into the divine illustrations are all manner of surprise and delight. Real life
photographs of the author’s family sit alongside creative colours and montages
that transport us straight into the kitchen, where it feels like we’re
literally holding cups of sugar and whipping the butter. There are textures and
photos and little bits of flour wafting around that actually make one’s nose
tickly.
AND a very
sweet dog, sitting in front of the oven waiting patiently for the cake to
emerge.
With
delightful endpapers and a place to write your own recipe notes, To Stir
With Love is truly magical.
Plus, the
icing on the cake: it also contains Grandma’s special recipe!
What more could anyone want.
Title: To Stir With Love
Author: Kate Mildenhall
Illustrator: Jess Racklyeft
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, $24.99
Publication Date: 2 October 2024
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781761426391
For Ages: 3 - 8
Type: Picture Book