Month: December 2011

Holiday Recommendations from Our Staff – Children’s & Young Adult

~ Elliott Bay Book Company ~ Leave a comment

At the Elliott Bay Book Company we believe that there is no better gift than a book, and we have the perfect one for everyone on your holiday list this season. We look forward to serving you and wish you Happy Holidays!

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I have been obsessed with the work of Shel Silverstein since I first heard that fantastic cautionary tale about shirking your chores, “Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out.” I was young and impressionable and Uncle Shelby’s poems and illustrations helped me become the voracious reader and diligent chore-doer I am today (To be honest I’m more of a voracious reader than a diligent chore doer, but I certainly would never let my garbage get that high). Every Thing On It includes never-before-published poems and drawings by the man himself. It’s the perfect gift for people that grew up with Uncle Shelby and for anyone who hasn’t yet experienced his genious. —Casey S.

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I cannot think of a better way to show your children how a wonderful relationship can be fraught with misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and silly jokes that backfire, yet only grow stronger. In this splendid volume, all thirty-five of James Marshall’s stories are brought together to celebrate friendship and two of the most lovable characters ever created —Leah

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This oh-so-clever rhyming picture book from debut author and illustrator Shaskan is a splendid read aloud! Follow the quintessential brown and white pup; naughty or nice, skinny or fat as he unzips himself and becomes—a cat! Watch the tubby feline as he hisses or purrs, in trouble for something he did or didn’t do as he unmasks himself and becomes—a truly unexpected treat! Youngsters will delight in the silly rhymes, the goofy possible guesses, and the fun illustrations. —Holly

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This book is adorable and just plain fun! What could be more delightful than the story of a baby and a piglet who get switched at birth? Lively colorful illustrations and a recurring theme make it a great read aloud and the playful tone manages to both tease and embrace storybook tradition. Eat your heart out Mark Twain! —Jamil

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In appearance this book recalls the Golden Nature Guides however it’s a little more playful. Both the illustrations and the text describe the wonders of the natural world with liveliness and a sense of humor. It will be a sure delight to all young readers and the older readers may even learn a thing or two! —Pamela

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Little Mist the baby snow leopard confronts the big, beautiful world for the very first time, with the help of his mom. Along the way he meets the animals of the great Himalaya, and discovers that this wonderful world will soon be all his to savor, without limits… Absolutely darling! —Jesse

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Bear has lost his hat and embarks on a quest to ask all of his little woodland friends if they’ve seen it. But one of these cute, innocent seeming creatures isn’t being completely honest with Bear. In fact, he could be outright lying to him. What will Bear do when he the truth is revealed? Will the forest ever be the same? —Rich

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I’ve always loved pop-up books, and what better gift idea for children of all ages?—It’s like giving a book in 3-D. Out just in time for the holidays is this charming new rendition of the classic tale by Roald Dahl, featuring the unique illustrations of Quentin Blake. Wonka fans will delight as they read through the story and get to open a Wonka bar and find a golden ticket or help with the demise of all the naughty children. This pop-up book is simply scrumdelicious. —David

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The first story in this 1940s Newberry Honor trilogy involves Elmer Elevator, a young boy who runs away to a jungle island in order to rescue Boris, a baby dragon. He utilizes the twenty pink lollipops, rubber bands, chewing gum and fine-toothed comb that he packs for his journey as he encounters the wild inhabitants of this magical place. Somewhat nonsensical and in the same vein as The Phantom Tollbooth, these stories will delight. Good for boys and girls ages 6-10 and parents of any age… —Tracy

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Holiday Recommendations from Our Staff – Cooking & Spirits

~ Elliott Bay Book Company ~ Leave a comment
At the Elliott Bay Book Company we believe that there is no better gift than a book, and we have the perfect one for everyone on your holiday list this season. We look forward to serving you and wish you Happy Holidays!
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Home Made

By Yvette van Boven, Oof Verschuren

From a Dutch chef, living part-time in Paris, comes this most beautifully designed cookbook, with recipes ranging from tea to cocktails to cheeses, to roasting, smoking and preserving, from morning recipes to late night treats, and from birthday party suggestions to what one might cook for a funeral! The clear instructions and cheerful enthusiasm will probably inspire even the armchair cookbook reader (like me) to savor the descriptions, and then start cooking. —Erica

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By Ferran Adrià

Before the service begins at el Bulli restaurant, the entire staff sits down to the “family meal”—casual, relaxing and satisfying. This is a meal that needs to sustain the wait staff throughout the long night, as the restaurant business demands. It is also a meal that brings the staff together as a team. The meals are simple and well thought out, much as your own family meal is. These recipes are for real people, real families with real ingredients, yet they make you feel elevated above the usual. Look inside as see the clear and precise photographs, the simple daily menus and the easy to follow recipes—your mouth will begin watering. —Tracy

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Fergus Henderson said, “Once you knock an animal on the head it is only polite to eat the whole animal.” Jennifer McLagan shows the cook how to do exactly that. She is an advocate for sustainable farming and ethical animal husbandry. It is only right that we show respect for the animal whose life we take to live by eating it “nose to tail.” This is a perfect finish to McLagan’s two previous books Bones and Fat. —Greg

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By Daniel Holzman, Michael Chernow, Lauren Deen

Who does not love meatballs? These authors/cooks make 4,000 meatballs a day at their Manhattan restaurant. These recipes are simple and delicious, from their kitchen to your kitchen. Mangia! —Carl

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Momofuku Milk Bar

By Christina Tosi, David Chang

When David Chang’s Momofuku cookbook came out two years ago, I eagerly flipped to the index to find the recipes for the baked delights that have garnered a tremendous cult following in New York and have elevated Chang to near godlike status among stoners with the munchies. Alas, there were no Compost Cookies, no Candybar Pie, no Birthday Cake recipes in that volume. Now, at last Momofuku Milk Bar pasty chef Tosi makes with the goods and allows the rest of us to play Willy Wonka in our kitchens at home. —Jamil

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A roast conjures images of holidays and special celebrations. So yes, this cookbook is perfect for the season at hand. But to relegate it to the shelves only to pull it out for those momentous occasions would be a shame. Along with lavish dishes like Sear-Roasted Chateaubriand with Béarnaise Sauce are impressive yet simple ones like Roasted Asparagus Bundles Wrapped in Bacon. The well organized recipes include method, roasting time, plan ahead time, and a wine pairing. Her exhaustive notes on the why and how of roasting, shopping tips and necessary equipment make this an indispensable volume for the novice and expert alike. —Pamela
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If Maira Kalman decided to illustrate a roll of toilet paper I’d find a way to get my hands on it. But lucky for us her latest project is to bring Pollan’s best selling manifesto on the importance of eating wisely to quirky, colorful life. Pollan boils down the essentials and Kalman adds a dash of whimsy to these bite-sized instructions for pleasurable, healthy eating. Bon appetit! —Laurie

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By Maggie Savarino

Seattle mixologist Savarino gives us exciting concoctions that are geared towards the individual seasons. Warm and cozy drinks for winter, refreshing and light drinks for summer. Ingredient lists are seasonal. You will be inspired to throw cocktail parties all year with this guide! —Hilary

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It’s not the holidays until the wine is spiced, the toddy is hot, the coffee is Irish, the cake is rummed and the egg is sufficiently nogged. If you’re not sloshed by Solstice, you might consider going shot-for-shot with F. Scott Fitzgerald, American literature’s favorite lush. (Oh, and folks, please drink responsibly.) —Dave