A book about Julia Child’s cat and Blue Kitchen’s first ever giveaway

I’m giving away a copy of this lovely book. Enter to win it for your favorite child—or for your own inner child. Details below.

Appropriately and charmingly enough, my review copy of Minette’s Feast: The Delicious Story of Julia Child and Her Cat arrived on the 100th anniversary of Julia Child’s birth.

Julia left behind her own tantalizing paper trail, with a mountain of cookbooks and the delightful memoir, My Life in France, that served as a source for Nora Ephron’s Julie & Julia. (If you haven’t read My Life in France, do. It is wonderful.) And more than half a dozen authors have written books about her. There’s even a book about Julia and her cats—Julia’s Cats. But this is the first book about Julia’s first cat, Minette. And it’s for children.

Minette’s Feast is the delightfully told story of an energetic little cat that Julia and Paul adopted (or rather, she adopted them) during their time in Paris. More than that, though, it is the story of the Childs’ life in Paris—and of Julia’s transformation from someone who barely cooked into the woman who would one day change the way we think about food and cooking. Sprinkled with plenty of cat antics to entertain young readers, Minette’s Feast is an accessible introduction to Julia and the world of cooking—and to Paris, for that matter.

Award-winning author Susanna Reich did her homework. The story is peppered with Julia’s own tales of Minette in her letters and memoirs. And none of the dialogue is invented—its sources are carefully annotated in the back of the book. There’s even a glossary of the French terms that appear in the book, another teaching tool for parents—and launching pad for more adventures.

New York Times best-selling illustrator Amy Bates brings the story to life with detail-rich illustrations that feel as if they belong to the time and place of the story. They invite children, cat lovers, grown-up foodies and Francophiles alike to settle in and pore over them. It’s not surprising. The book is published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, the children’s imprint of Abrams, the first United States publisher to specialize in art and illustrated books.

If you can’t get enough of Julia (and who can?), Minette’s Feast: The Delicious Story of Julia Child and Her Cat is a delightful addition to your kitchen bookshelf—and a great way to grow the next generation of Julia fans.

Win a copy of Minette’s Feast. Abrams has generously offered a copy of the book for one of my readers. To enter to win it, just leave a comment on this post. On Tuesday, September 4, I’ll select a random comment as the winner. Just one comment per person, please. Bonne chance!

Update: The contest is now closed. I’ll announce the winner next week. Thanks for entering!

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24 thoughts on “A book about Julia Child’s cat and Blue Kitchen’s first ever giveaway”

  7. Julia is the reason for the way we all cook today and all the cooking shows and cookbooks. A true pioneer and lady true to herself.

  8. My daughter is having twins boys in December:) I had two girls and am excited about little boys! The one thing I know how to do well is cook. Perhaps this book will help me introduce my grandboys to the wonderful world of cooking!

  9. We have 2 children ages 2 and 4 both who adore our cat and helping me in the kitchen! We would love to win this book for our daughter Kendal. Jilia was a pioneer and and inspiration for women and girls alike! How great if Kendal could be inspired to be all the Woman she can!

  10. My 11 yr old LOVES to cook and watch cooking shows, and reads cookbooks for fun…she would adore this book. Thank you so much for the chance to win!

  13. I’m not sure who will get this book – me or my 6 year old granddaughter, who likes to tuck up with my old copies of Gourmet. And I never get tired of reading all things Julia, dear lady.

  15. Thanks for this article about what promises to be a really delightful book. Our Julia was so well-loved, and surely always shall be.

  17. I love Julia Childs! Cooking and baking are a great “love” of mine. A greater love has been for me to be able to pass on these joys of cooking with a special granddaughter and grandson. Learning how to read recipes, measure ingredients, use a mixer, making egg wash, kneading and braiding sweetbread dough, are just a few of the skills the now five and seven year old have learned. And, of course, they always go to the pantry closet to “get their very own aprons” before they cook or bake with their grandmother. Precious memories certainly have been created that will last a lifetime! The little ones also have a couple of cats that are very special to them.

  19. This will be a perfect addition to my teaching literacy class. Thank you for the chance to win.

  21. Minette’s full name was Minette Mimosa McWilliams Child… Mini for short. Minette means “pussy” in French. Julia was probably very sad to leave her behind when she and Paul moved to Marseille. I hope Minette had a long, healthy life in Paris, catching a hapless souris now and then!

  22. Terry – Isadora LOVED it! She had 20 minutes before soccer practice and insisted on my reading it instantly. Thank you so much – what a treat!

  24. It is now 2/28/2013. I wish I had started my research earlier! I’m looking for replicas of Julia’s cats as seen on her PBS cooking show, Julia and Jacques, with Jacques Pepin. Are they wooden? Are they a flat, painted stuffed toy? Any suggestions or information is very much appreciated. Thanks.

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