I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but the shopping days ‘til Christmas are dwindling rapidly. Mindful of that cheer, this timeless children’s book would be lovely under the Christmas tree or as a birthday present for the special children in your life. I stumbled across this fun retro book while visiting my aunt and uncle in Vermont last summer.
Published in 1932, it was a favorite of my aunt and her siblings growing up. You may be familiar with the author, Dorothy Kunhart, best known for her famous children’s classic Pat the Bunny.
So what makes this book so delightful? I like the simple, repetitive words and retro artwork. The subject matter reminds me faintly of my own childhood: vain attempts at racing around the house three times without thinking of a wolf, at the suggestion of an adult who was likely in desperate need of a peaceful moment. (Basically: scram kid! And for as long as possible.) Unfortunately, kids don’t fall for stuff like that these days. (I tried it on mine.) But I fell for it, time and again. And just as I’d round the first or second bend, pure minded, I’d invariably fall prey to every imaginable wolfy thought. Think “little red riding hood” and “the three little pigs.”
Junket is Nice. It really is.
I love this picture book because it’s funny and makes me laugh. And because there’s lots of red. I love red. Red is happy and joyful and shouts “birthday party!”
I adore the old old man, his matching red beard and red slippers. And furthermore, I love his gargantuan red bowl of junket.
So what IS junket? (Drumroll please.) Junket… is a delicious custard dessert. (Did you know that? I didn’t.)
And the old old man challenges everyone to watch him eat junket, and to guess what he is thinking about. Throngs of people from the village and countryside gather to watch and guess as he swallows spoonful after spoonful from a big red bowl at his table for one. The old old man is gleeful at each incorrect answer.
The old old man is not thinking about “walrus with an apple on his back.”
Nor is he thinking about “kangaroo jumping over a glass of orange juice so as not to spill it.”
He’s not thinking about “pig seeing how many minutes it takes for a cold bath.”
He is also NOT thinking about “tiger creeping past the door on tiptoe because the rule is no tigers clattering about at baby’s nap time.”
And he is absolutely not thinking about “hippopotamus with all the lights turned out laughing at how hard it is to see the other people on the sofa.” That is not what he is thinking about at all.
SO WHAT IS THE OLD OLD MAN WITH THE RED BEARD AND RED SLIPPERS THINKING ABOUT WHILE EATING JUNKET FROM HIS GIANT RED BOWL???
There’s only one person in the entire world who knows.
And that’s the little boy with the red socks riding the tricycle.
And I can’t tell you what he knows because that would spoil everything.
You’ll just have to get the book yourself and enjoy it snuggled fireside with your favorite little people.
(Then whip up a yummy batch of junket for dessert. And Cheeky Richo (below) will help. Don’t miss this clip! And don’t forget the big red bowl!)
Have you ever tasted junket? Do you ever want to taste junket? Are you going to share this book with a special little person in your life? Comment below and let us know!
nancy mcmahan says
Thanks for my mirning smile. I will have to get this book. I have a special little boy it should be perfect for.
Allie Taylor says
🙂
Linda Jenkins says
I found the recipe very interesting. Somewhere in the far reaches of my memory I remember junket. I don’t think I have ever tasted it though. I plan to ask my mother if she remembers it.
Allie Taylor says
I will be so curious what she says Linda!
Christy says
I might have to go on a hunt for junket powder (have you purchased this before?) ! And what on earth is that cool contraption used to both blend finely the sugar as well as heat ingredients to “blood temperature”? I love learning new things!! Is the book still in VT? I must ask my mother dear about this story….what a find you found in The Little Yellow House! Delightful!
Allie Taylor says
I don’t know if it’s still at TLYH or if your mom just brought it to share with her sisters. Really loved the book! Guess that contraption is in England? I know….”blood temperature” got me giggling. Yes, surely your dear mother can fill you in. No, I have not bought junket powder, but thinking about it just for the novelty of it. XOXO
Lori says
I loved hearing your voice in the audio clip. Do more of those! 🙂
Allie Taylor says
OK, thanks for the input Lori. I’ve been fighting a respiratory thing for a week or so, and was debating whether or not to record that last night. Glad I did. XO to you and yours
[email protected] says
Now I’m hungry. I see this blog is going to do nothing good for my waistline. 🙂
Karen says
Wow, Allie. This took me back! But our book kept repeating, “And the old man went on eating his Rennet Dessert”.
Allie Taylor says
That’s very interesting. I know as little about rennet as I do junket…..
Bresca says
Thanks for the great ideas. I just went and ordered the book for my nephew…or for his parents? It’s just the right sort of humor!
Barbara BeAUDRY says
Barbara says
November 15, 2014 8:22 PM
I never saw an old, old man with huge Red beard or wearing Red stockings but have heard of a Junket, think my Mother spoke of it, but never saw it or ate any , but sounds interesting!!! If you ever find any I’m game to try it.
JUST GOT A Flash FROM ON HIGH (Junket) is made from cream cheese, sweetened with milk, flavored and thickened into a curd. ANY TAKERS ????? Beam some over if you dare!!
Allie Taylor says
Barbara — did you get it? I accepted your dare, and beamed and beamed! Hope it was yummy. XO
Gayle says
Maybe because I grew up in VT, I ate Junket! I preferred the texture over that of jello.