(4) K-3 Illustrated by Julie Morstad. Maclear tells a fictional story about real-life friends and collaborators Julia Child and Simone Beck (a.k.a. Simca) as child chefs. Becoming silly, stubborn, and argumentative, grownups regress when they experience the duo's marvelous culinary delights. Stylish ink, gouache, and Photoshop illustrations capture the whimsy in a tale without much child appeal that plays loosely with Julia Child's iconic persona.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(3) 4-6 This picture book biography crammed full of gouache art and hand-lettered text may appeal especially to middle-grader graphic novel fans. The story of Child’s life and the discovery of her passion is intriguing to read and visually explore, with interesting details (size 12 shoe!), bits of French, and even recipes.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Amy Bates. With Child's own writing as the source for a baker's dozen of apt quotes, this is as truthful an account as could be hoped for--while still being told from Julia Child's cat's point of view. Reich has a storyteller's instinct for entrancing incident and a poet's gift for sound and sensory detail. The roofs and markets of Paris and Julia's busy kitchen all spring to life in a pleasing palette in Bates's art.

Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2012