Skillet Bread, Sourdough, and Vinegar Pie:

Millbrook
ISBN: 0-7613-1864-X (RLB only)

Paperback ISBN:
0-7613-9521-0

Loretta Frances Ichord
Illustrations by Jan Davey Ellis

A NOTABLE TRADE BOOK IN THE FIELD OF SOCIAL STUDIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 2004 by NCSS/CBC

September 2003 issue of School Library Journal

(Grades 3-5)  An introduction outlines the challenges the pioneers faced regarding food preparation, including storing and preserving of food, sickness, bugs, etc.  In addition to providing recipes for bacon cornbread, skillet bread, dried apple pie, sourdough starter, sourdough flapjacks, Cornish pastries, vinegar pie, and chuck wagon beans, the book tells readers how the pioneers prepared each of the particular items. Chapters address the foods of Oregon Trail pioneers, the forty-niners, and the cowboys.  Ichord discusses supplies, making a campfire, buffalo, Native Americans, the influence of various ethnic groups on cooking, and the cowboys' cook and chuck wagon.  Full-color illustrations add charming bits of humor and insight.  This interesting book will supplement classroom lessons, library programs, and theme-party ideas. - Augusta R. Malvagno, Queens Borough Public Library, NY.

 Horn Book Guide Fall 2003

Covering wagon train settlers, gold-rush miners, and cowboys, this food-focused volume explains what was available, what equipment was used, and what problems the cooks of the American West encountered. Discussions of etiquette and make-do habits, along with cheerful sepia-toned illustrations, add even more human interest. Each chapter ends with one or two fairly simple recipes. Bib., ind.

Sue N. Howard, Library Media Specialist, Locke Elementary, Memphis Tennessee

Although this book is classified as a cooking book, it is a great resource for the westward expansion unit. It can also be used for comparing and contrasting how they cooked then to how we cook today. Author Loretta Frances Ichord also has included tidbits of information that would be of interest to readers from a historical view point. Jan Davey Ellis intermingles pictures throughout to illustrate the text. The style of chapter heading illustrations and borders for recipes add to the book's appeal. This unique title effectively combines recipes with history, a must for any collection needing information on the old West. Appendix. Notes.Bibliography. Index.

                                                            Highly Recommended.

                               Image from Skillet Bread, Sourdough, and Vinegar Pie: Cooking in Pioneer Days

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