Mud Kitchen Magic

These three stories celebrate the juxtaposition of the real and the imaginary in a universally accessible environment. They stimulate creative roleplay in an outside setting where, here, a mud kitchen is improvised from a cardboard box and basic utensils. The imaginary friend, an excitable and enthusiastic rabbit, learns through play while the patient child, Eleanor, takes the adult carer role. Most effective read in sequence, each story ends with a hint at the title of the next recipe and the reward of a delicious, real version the reader can make with an adult.

The use of repetition at the start and end of each story as well as in the core format enhances comprehension and provides a basis for vocabulary extension (eg. likes/is partial to/loves).The text contains illustrated numbers, colours and sizes. These various elements combine successfully to enable readers to anticipate, and therefore confidently participate, in the storytelling from pre-reading stage. In addition, there is a silent ladybird to spot on each page along with some lesser-known dandelion facts. And proof that lettuce is delicious when cooked as well as when raw!