Bibliography: Knisley, L. (2013). Relish: My life in the kitchen. New York, NY: First Second.
ISBN: 978-1596436237
Genre: graphic non-fiction; memoir; cookbook
Reading Level/Interest Age: 12+; 15+
Plot Summary: Lucy values a good McDonald’s french fry, even though she’s been brought up appreciating the finer points of world cuisine. Her foodie parents practically worshipped food and took her on trips around the globe, exploring the differences of esoteric dishes. In Japan, though, she discovered not only mochi, but also a great appreciation for cartoon characters and graphic arts. If food was her hobby, then art became her passion. After graduating from the Art Institute of Chicago, Lucy had a brainstorm! Combine art and food! And so Relish was created. Through colorful images and a storyboard format, Lucy takes the reader on a journey from her first oysters (and how to cook them) to her ongoing efforts to create the perfect croissant. Interspersed between her graphic anecdotes are recipes of her favorite foods; they, too, are graphic. A cup of flour is drawn as a cup of flour, with the measurement written on the measuring cup. Necessary directions are inserted between graphics and bridged, when needed, with arrows and other design elements. Lucy’s witty commentary throughout her entire memoir is a great reminder that there’s humor in even the most trying situations.
Critical Evaluation: Part cookbook and part graphic memoir, Relish is a comical homage to food. The recipes, interspersed between goofy stories the challenges of growing up with foodies parents, are creative, both in flavor and in format. Author Knisley revamps the standard and tired recipe format with doodles, graphics and lots of arrows to indicate order. The illustrations throughout the book are quirky and vivid and unexpected, using not-so-subtle detail to entertain the reader. (She graphically illustrates getting her first period.) But in using this technique in combination with her off-beat sense of humor, Knisley brings a level of comradery from the book to the cook, without formality and false expectations of expertise. Because its graphics are at times slightly edgy, so the book is better suited for older teens and young adults. Countless reviews of Relish describe it as catchy, innovative and a fun way to present cooking to the graphic novel-loving demographic. Because the author’s integrates her memories with her artwork and love of cooking, this book definitely adheres to the educating, inspiring and entertaining tenets of many libraries’ missions
Reader’s Annotation: The efforts of her foodie parents backfired when Lucy ate Kraft Mac n’ Cheese for the first time. But despite her deep appreciation for processed food, she is fascinated the explosive tastes of truly delicious foods. Follow Lucy through her adventures of gorging on Pixie Sticks, stealing fruit, selling cheese and her endless pursuit to bake the perfect croissant.
Author Information: Lucy is a graduate of The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she went to study painting, and ended up making comics. She then studied at the Center for Cartoon Studies, where she received a scholarship to pursue her MFA (completed in June, 2009). She lives in Chicago, where she makes comics, does freelance illustration, and teaches the occasional comics workshop.¹
Curriculum ties: multi-culturalism
Booktalks: If you could create a graphic non-fiction book, what would it be about? What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
Challenge issues: none
References: ¹Lucy Knisley. (n.d.). Retrieved October 10, 2015, from http://www.amazon.com/Lucy-Knisley/e/B00BU8J70A/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1