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5 Minutes for Books — Enchanted Thyme

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My daughter Amanda loves to read. Her favorite genres are mystery and fantasy. She loves to cook, too, so when I saw Enchanted Thyme, I knew that she would love it! This is labeled as book one in the Delicious Adventure series, so I assume that more are coming.

The story is fanciful, and imaginative, featuring the adventures of 10-year-old Belinda and her 8-year-old brother Peter who are whisked off to the land of Enchanted Time where the Queen and the land are under the dark spell of the Fricassee Fairy. Three magical mice — Marjoram, Basil, and Rosemary — come to enlist Belinda’s and Peter’s help in breaking the curse by coming up with the perfect meal to satisfy the Queen’s appetite.

In addition to a great story, the recipes look wonderful. They are healthy, yet pack lots of kid-appeal. Since they are mentioned in the story, kids would be even more likely to try them out. Parents could even make themed dinners (with the help of their kids of course), as they are reading the book.

Some of the vocabulary in the story is pretty advanced, which makes it sound more fairy-talish, and would do well in a family read-aloud to give it extra dramatic flair. However, about half of the way through, I began to feel as if the words might burden down a young reader. My daughter is a high-level reading 10 year old, but for an 8 year old who would otherwise enjoy the story, it might be a bit much.

Then I found the glossary at the end of the book which explains, in interesting and kid-friendly terms, the words that are used such as fathom, strenuous, voracious, flourish, and demeanor. There was a note before the first chapter alerting the readers to this as well, but I happened to miss it.

I highly recommend this modern-day fairy tale with a twist (a twist of lemon, perhaps?). Enjoy!

Would you like to win one of three autographed copies of Enchanted Thyme (U.S. addresses only, please)? Leave a comment. I’ll post the winners in next week’s column.

The winners of the Hachette Book Blowout (10 brand new books from that publisher) are
#104 Linda Lansford,
#154 M.A.,
#40 Donna Rinas,
#46 Tom,
#44 Amy Tucker

Reader Interactions


159 Comments

  11. Reading and creating/following recipes are two of our favorite family pasttimes! Creating and consuming a meal fit for a queen would certainly encourage trying new dishes. I’m happy to see that there is a glossary included! It is sometimes difficult to come up with a good definition out of the blue. Thank you for the opportunity to win!

  23. Fantastic Giveaway! Count Me In! What a way to have an enchanting time reading. In addition to a great story, the recipes sounds exciting.
    This book sounds wonderful for my 12 year old Niece! Perfect! We spend allot of quality time together including, reading, her homework, working on arts & even having her friends over.

    At the moment She is learning to cook. What a super way to introduce the recipes. Dinner for a Queen! As We both love Fairy tales + have been working on a Quilt with a collection of fairy & ethereal prints for her room.
    This book would be a Delight!!
    This Summer we had/have planted Container gardens with lots of colorful flowering plants & many herbs including Marjoram, Basil, Rosemary & Thyme along with a variety of fragrant & tasty Mint plants. We even have a few miniature Rose bushes. With art paper, colored inks & rubber stamps. My Niece made beautiful Fairies that were fastened on long metal tin rods to play amount the foliage! ~SMILE~
    (LOVE to win a copy of “Enchanted Thyme”)

  27. My kids are interested in cooking because I am an avid home cook and I think that we would enjoy reading this book together.

  28. My daughter would love this. She is always looking for recipes to try and to tie that in with her favorite thing reading would be great.

  34. Books from my own children are all worn out. Could use extra help with these nice books for grandchildren.

  43. My daughter wants this bad!!! Great for family reading night at our house!
    Carla
    cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com

  76. Hello! “Enchanted Thyme” has a wonderful book cover. I love that it uses the herbal names and has recipes to try with my children. Please enter me in your darling drawing. Thanks, Cindi

  83. My disabled wife of more than 38 years gets such a kick out of being able to read to our grandchildren.
    Thanks for all the great contests and prizes!

  87. Well, the family that cooks together stays together, is my motto. (grin) Are there recipes in the book? That would be cool. . . I have an eleven year old, who I think would really enjoy this book. Thanks for the opportunity to win!!

  90. My 12 year old will love this book, as she loves fantasy and is always trying to become a chef as well.

  123. My kids are starting to really enjoy being read chapter books, and the thought of reading them herself is motivating my kindergartener to practice her reading more. I think they’d enjoy this new series, especially my son who LOVES to help me cook.

  127. This sounds awesome for my girls! It’s certainly right up my older daughter’s alley (age 8). We’d love to be entered to win one of these!

    Thanks so much!

  129. Sounds like an awesome book (and hopefully, series). I love books that incorporate different genres all into one (cooking, fantasy, and mystery). How fun.

  144. I’d love to win one. This sounds perfect for my 10-year old, who is a voracious reader and also loves to cook and invent recipes on her own. Thanks for the review.!

  151. I have a 10 y.o. daughter and 8 y.o. son and I think this book sounds perfect for them since they love to read and are beginning to love to cook–count me in!

  156. I love the names of the 3 magical mice ~ Marjoram, Basil, and Rosemary! I do have some rosemary and thyme in my garden ~ what wonderful herbs!

    For anyone who is interested, come by and vote for J.C. Andersen ~ Thanks!