A Cook book with a tasty twist
Children aged five and over, along with ‘‘kids at heart’’ of all ages, will learn about the cook who cooked for Captain Cook when Gavin Bishop appears at the Nelson Arts Festival.
Bishop is a leading New Zealand illustrator who recently won the Margaret Mahy Book of the Year at the 2018 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults for Aotearoa: The New Zealand Story. He will be at a Page & Blackmore Readers and Writers event tomorrow.
In his latest book, Cook’s Cook, Bishop follows the 1768 journey of Captain James Cook’s Endeavour with the ship’s cook, the onehanded John Thompson, as storyteller.
The book, which was officially released this week, is full of information drawn from extensive research, with a good dose of fantasy and a healthy sense of humour. It also explains how a resourceful cook fed 94 hungry sailors on their extraordinary adventure.
‘‘When there wasn’t fresh fruit and vegetables available, it was probably pretty awful,’’ Bishop says. ‘‘The cook was often challenged by cooking things he often knew nothing about.’’
Local children’s book author Tania Norfolk, who will chair the one-hour event, said Cook’s Cook was a brilliant example of using a new angle to tell an often-told tale.
‘‘Kids love food and adventure, and this book has both.
‘‘It shows how adaptable the Endeavour’s one-armed cook had to be, finding himself with ingredients such as shark, dog, albatross and kangaroo. The actual recipes are included.’’
Norfolk said that while the focus was on Cook’s Cook, the session would also look at Aotearoa: The New Zealand Story. She described it as a taonga that should be in every New Zealand home.
‘‘One, because it’s so visually engaging, but two, because it’s simply such a treasure trove of facts and fascinating details covering the whole of our history in this country, made accessible for anyone. Both these books will appeal to a wide audience, young and old.’’
Gavin Bishop, Cook’s Cook, Saturday, October 20 at 1.30pm, Granary Festival Cafe – special event for children aged five and over, $6. Tickets available online at nelsonartsfestival.co.nz or ticketdirect.co.nz, or in person at Founders Heritage Park, Theatre Royal, Nelson Centre for Musical Arts, Nelson i-Site and Richmond Mall Information Desk.