A is for Absinthe: A Children’s ABC Book with a Twist
Construction workers, farmers, ballerinas, and firemen all have their day in the sun when it comes to children’s books. Heck, even dragons, bears, and pigeons get their say (though they don’t always get to drive the bus, if you know what I’m talking about). But when it comes to other professions and hobbies, it’s not always easy to translate parental interests into something fun and educational for children.
Somehow, my friend Lara Nixon has managed to bridge that gap–in an ABC book devoted to the art of cocktails, no less! A is for Absinthe: A Spirited Book of ABCs is more Mary Poppins than Sally Draper, giving a spoonful of sugar and a cheeky wink at the world of craft cocktails, and I’m proud to say I’ve illustrated the book.
Lara, who’s the co-founder of bitters company Bad Dog Bar Craft as well as a cocktail consultant and spirits educator, spends many of her working hours chatting with fellow service professionals in the culinary and bartending world. The people she works alongside every day are often parents of young children–parents who are happy to read with their kids for hours, but who would love to teach them more about their world instead of discussing cars and trucks and things that go every night. Lara realized there was an opportunity for a story that would help her peers teach their kids about their passions in an accessible and appropriate way.
A is for Absinthe takes a loving but tongue-in-cheek look at the spirits industry, providing a colorful education on many of the tools and ingredients used in the trade with a child-friendly twist. Lara’s witty rhymes were tailor made for whimsical cartoons and illustrations, and it was a joy to draw a fantastic world of absinthe-sipping fairies, pirates who love tiki drinks, medieval monks making floral and fruit elixirs, and more.
For parents who don’t work in the barcraft biz but who also enjoy a mai tai or bitters-splashed gimlet, the book is equally educational. Muddlers and strainers, orgeat and quinine, honey and agave–it’s all there for the learning. (Oh yeah–and there might be a few cameo appearances by Lara’s beloved pup Penny and my debonair cats Lenny and Harry. Take that, Goldbug!)
Buy A is for Absinthe: A Spirited Book of ABCs on Amazon.
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Casey Barber
Casey Barber is the owner and founder of Good Food Stories LLC and a visual storyteller whose work often focuses on the intersection of food and culture. She is also the author of the cookbooks Pierogi Love: New Takes on an Old-World Comfort Food and Classic Snacks Made from Scratch: 70 Homemade Versions of Your Favorite Brand-Name Treats, and she couldn’t get anything done without the help of her executive assistant cats, Bixby and Lenny. Her favorite color is obviously orange.
I’m not eligible for the giveaway, but CONGRATS! This is so cool! Anything that combines kids and food is my jam. ;)
I love the illustrations featured here! Hmmm..little grey cat sipping from a glass…now where did that idea come from?!
Adorable! I can’t wait to get my grubby paws all over this.
I love love love this book, Casey. We’ve read it at least three times to Evan. So proud to call you friend! I already have the book, so I don’t want to be counted in the giveaway, but my favorite children’s book has always been “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss. :)
My favorite book as a kid were the Little Golden Books – The Shy Little Kitten and the Poky Little Puppy were my favorite :) I know my little niece and her parents would ADORE this book!!!
I love it. Too bad it wasn’t around when my girls were growing up. Goodnight Moon could have gotten a rest.
I also liked you on facebook :)
Oh, I can TOTALLY see using this book to combine bedtime with cocktail time! As a kid, my favorite children’s book was “The Little House” by Virginia Lee Burton but as an adult with kids, I adore everything by Oliver Jeffers.
This is great! I can’t wait to buy this if I don’t win. My little swashbuckling princess will be ahead of the curve when she gets to high school. ;) Favorite book as a kiddo was “I Can Do it Myself,” the Sesame Street book where the characters pat themselves on the back for putting on their own clothes.
One of my favorites was the alphabet book The Z Was Zapped by Chris Van Allsburgh (sp?). I’d love to share this more adult-oriented alphabet with my 4 year old Amelia!
I follow you on Facebook. ;-)
This is so cute, you might have just convinced me to have kids so I can get it. :)
You should do a kids book on pasta shapes. P is for Penne–it looks like a pen…etc. I’d like to see you explain strozzapreti!
I like your blog on Facebook. Of course, I’ve always liked it in real life. :)
And my favorite book as a child? Boy that’s tough! How about Wacky Wednesday by Dr. Seuss or Frog and Toad are Friends…