Today I’m linking up with iHomeschool Network’s Birthday Lessons in August and I have the privilege of featuring Julia Child.

By KUHT [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons

Julia (Williamson) Child was born August 15, 1912. Growing up in Pasadena, CA, Julia rarely ate her mother’s cooking because they had a hired cook. She lived a comfortable life with her well-to-do family. After graduating from college, Julia acquired a few writing positions and when WWII came about she wanted to do her part. She tried enlisting in the Women’s Army Corps and U.S. Navy WAVES, but found her height of 6’2″ prohibited her from joining. She ended up going to work for the Office of Strategic Services, where she met her husband Paul. They were married in 1946 and two years later moved to Paris, where Paul’s job was and where Julia found her love of French food. She decided to work with what she loved and learn how to cook French food.

When Julia graduated from Le Cordon Bleu cooking school, she wanted to share her love of French food with other average american housewives. With the help of her French friends, she wrote Mastering the Art of French Cooking. She went on to write 16 more cookbooks and starred in several of her own television series. Julia died August 12, 2004. This year would have been her 100th birthday.

Websites to visit

Photo by Meadowsa

Julia Child’s Kitchen at the Smithsonian Get a tour of her amazing kitchen, where she filmed many of her cooking shows. You can even take a close look at her favorite kitchen gadgets.
The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts A foundation started by Julia, this website offers a great timeline of her life.
PBS Celebrating Julia’s 100th Birthday PBS is celebrating Julia’s life August 5-15. PBS will be featuring her classic shows and encouraging everyone to #CookforJulia.
Pinterest PBS also has a great pinterest board if you are looking for more of Julia around the web. 
Mastering the Art of French Cooking App This new app features 32 recipes, beautiful pictures video clips, and more.

Fun Ways for Kids to Learn About Julia

• Books. Bon Appetit! and Minette’s Feast are both great books that tell the story of Julia’s life in a child friendly way.
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• Printables. Heidi from Frantically Simple shares some fun ways they learned about Julia in their homeschool including some printable Writing Prompts and Notebooking Pages.
• Make a recipe. Look through one of Julia’s many cookbooks and try making one of Julia’s recipes with your children.
• Film a cooking show. Kid’s always enjoy being in the spotlight. Let them try out Julia’s job and make their own cooking show.

Giveaway

Julia thought it was good for children to be introduced to the kitchen early. To help foster that idea, I am hosting a giveaway from Knowledge Box Central for their Cooking Basics Lapbook – E-book. This will guide you as you teach your children the basics that they need to learn as they start out helping in the kitchen.

One winner will be drawn on August 7, 2012. The winner will have 48 hours to claim the prize or another winner will be chosen.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Make sure to check out the other Birthday Lessons in August.

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