Born HungryJulia Child Becomes "the French Chef"

How did Julia Child become one of America’s most celebrated and beloved chefs? Her grandnephew reveals her story in this picture book that Jacques Pepin calls a “vivid portrait . . . an enjoyable read.” Julia’s kid-friendly recipe for Oeufs Brouillés (Scrambled Eggs) is included!

Julia Child was born hungry, but she was not born a chef. In fact, Julia didn’t discover her passion for cooking until she had a life-changing luncheon in France and became determined to share her newfound love of food with everyone.

In Paris, Julia devoured recipe books, shopped in outdoor markets, consumed all kinds of foods, and whipped through culinary school. And although she wasn’t always successful in the kitchen, she was determined to “master the art” of French cooking. Through perseverance and grit, Julia became a chef who shared her passion with the world, making cooking fun, and turning every meal into a special event.

Alex Prud’homme’s firsthand knowledge paired with Sarah Green’s vibrant and energetic illustrations showcases Julia’s life and celebrates her enduring legacy.

Alex Prud’homme is Julia Child’s great-nephew and the coauthor of her autobiography, MY LIFE IN FRANCE. He is also the author of THE RIPPLE EFFECT: THE FATE OF FRESHWATER IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY; HYDROFRACKING: WHAT EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW; and THE CELL GAME. Alex Prud’homme’s articles have appeared in The New York Times, The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Time, and People.

Sarah Green is a RISD educated illustrator and designer born and based in San Francisco. She is the illustrator of numerous picture books, including FIGHT OF THE CENTURY by Barb Rosenstock, DOROTHEA LANGE by Carole Boston Weatherford, and ELIZABETH WARREN by Susan Wood.
Visit sarahgreenillustration.com.

“Born Hungry is a vivid portrait of Julia in all her glory. Unpretentious, fun, direct, and honest, it describes her love of cooking and teaching throughout her career, from Le Cordon Bleu, to cookbook author, to television food icon.  An enjoyable read.” —Jacques Pepin, author, artist, celebrity chef, and a longtime friend and collaborator of Julia Child’s

“Fun to read… the illustrations are colorful and often comical… Julia’s message, to any kid who wants to hear it, is clear: ‘Good results require that one take time and care’ — for that plate of food in front of you and beyond.”—The New York Times Book Review

“Prud’homme, a grandnephew through the paternal branch of the Childs, presents a charming, intimate biography of Julia’s discovery and realization of her culinary chops, interspersing plenty of quotations that illuminate her wit, common sense, and pedagogical skill that earned the all-American cook the moniker French Chef. Although this offering ends at the beginning of Child’s professional career, excellent end notes with thumbnail photographs carry the story forward and supply useful references to her cookbooks and rich media history. Green’s digital artwork affectionately celebrates Child towering over the dominantly male milieu of chefs in all her big-boned, strong-jawed, twinkling-eyed glory. This is a must for foodies-in-training, and for anyone who enjoys watching the ascent of unlikely media celebs.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, starred review

“Julia Child is the subject of this delightful picture book biography, told with lively text and charming illustrations…Prud’homme, who collaborated with her on her memoir My Life in France, is Child’s grandnephew. Back matter includes a bibliography of books by and about Child, websites, exhibitions, and a…recipe for French scrambled eggs….So many life lessons here, including one about following passion where it leads, make this an exemplary offering for the biography shelves.” —School Library Journal

“Julia ‘The French Chef’ Child’s fascinating life, lovingly remembered by her grandnephew…The book’s unabashed celebration of Child’s love of food and of her pure hunger for knowledge about cooking is joyous…Ample backmatter takes a slightly more in-depth dive into Julia’s life and includes lists of pertinent books, TV shows, podcasts, websites, and exhibits…The colorful digital illustrations work in perfect tandem with the text, lavishly depicting the foods that seduced Child toward a life of cooking. By the story’s end, there is no mystery left as to what made her beloved by so many around the world. Readers will salivate over this scrumptious and inspiring picture-book biography.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Julia Child’s grandnephew and coauthor of her memoir, My Life in France (2006), brings Child’s zesty, larger-than-life persona to a story as exuberant as the extraordinary chef… engaging text… (and) lively, food-laden digital illustrations in vibrant hues capture Child’s hunger for knowledge and general joie de vivre. An enthusiastic biography readers should relish—bon appétit!” —Booklist