Scream for Ice Cream!

What better way to cool off than by checking out these books about ice cream? (Well, maybe actually eating ice cream, but….) Any time of year is a time for ice cream, so chill out and read these ice cream books pack with cute stories and colorful illustrations! Below you will find a list of board books, picture books, and easy readers. As of this writing, all of these titles are owned by the Davenport Public Library. Descriptions are provided by the publishers.

Board Book

I’m Your Ice Cream Truck by Hannah Eliot, illustrated by Belinda Chen

From the playground to the library, see all the places your favorite ice cream truck goes in this sweet truck-shaped board book!

I am your ice cream truck!
I deliver sweet treats
that are cold and frosty
and delicious to eat!

Follow along as your ice cream truck makes its way to the playground, the pool, the library, and more! – Little Simon


You’re the Sprinkles on my Ice Cream by Laura Gehl, illustrated by Vanessa Port

This cuddly board book is packed with sweet sayings that will charm young readers—and the big readers who love them!

You’re the sprinkles on my ice cream
You’re the wind that lifts my kite
You’re the twinkle in my nighttime
I will always hold you tight

With delightful text and bright illustrations, this lovey-dovey board book is perfect to read with your little one. – Little Simon


Picture Book

The Ice Cream Vanishes by Julia Sarcone-Roach

Squirrel is an expert at making acorns disappear. But making some ice cream vanish?! “I put it right there! On that hot rock in the sun!” When Squirrel returns with Bear and finds the ice cream gone, they know there is only one explanation—Squirrel is a magician!

Determined to replicate this feat, Squirrel and Bear follow the ice cream truck…and put on a show every forest animal will remember forever.

With a text that begs to be read aloud and lush paintings filled with humor, Julia Sarcone-Roach creates magical mayhem and a story so delicious, kids will be begging for second helpings. – Knopf Books for Young Readers


The Nice Dream Truck by Beth Ferry, illustrated by Brigette Barrager

When bedtime is near, you might be in luck. You might get a visit from the Nice Dream Truck!

Sample your choice of sweet dreams—from astronaut to making-the-shot and more—all served by a truck that flies on moonbeams. You may choose to swim; you may want to fly, there’s an endless assortment of flavors to try!

New York Times bestselling creators Beth Ferry and Brigette Barrager serve up a delightful twist on the lyrical bedtime romp, reminding us that there are as many ways to dream as ice cream flavors to taste. – HarperCollins


Paletero Man by Lucky Diaz, illustrated by Micah Player

A vibrant picture book celebrating the strength of community and the tastes of summer from Latin Grammy-winning musician Lucky Diaz and celebrated artist Micah Player.

Ring! Ring! Ring! Can you hear his call? Paletas for one! Paletas for all!

What’s the best way to cool off on a hot summer day? Run quick and find Paletero José!

Follow along with our narrator as he passes through his busy neighborhood in search of the Paletero Man. But when he finally catches up with him, our narrator’s pockets are empty. Oh no! What happened to his dinero? It will take the help of the entire community to get the tasty treat now.

Full of musicality, generosity, kindness, and ice pops, this book is sure to satisfy fans of Thank You, Omu! and Carmela Full of Wishes.

Includes Spanish words and phrases throughout, an author’s note from Lucky Diaz, and a link to a live version of the Lucky Band’s popular song that inspired the book. – HarperCollins


Pick Me! by Max Amato

Fudge, Mint, Berry, Bean, and Candy each think they are the MOST delicious ice cream cone around. But when Rocky Road arrives to deliver the scoop that “getting picked” means getting eaten, these silly cones earn their just desserts! – Scholastic

 

 


Readers

If I Drove an Ice Cream Truck by Alastair Heim, illustrated by Tom Brannon

The Cat in the Hat imagines driving an ice cream truck with Thing One and Thing Two as his helpers in this hilarious new Beginner Book—and follow-up to If I Were Saint Nick by the Cat in the Hat—that’s perfect for summer reading!

No one’s immune to the jingle of an ice cream truck—even the Cat in the Hat! And in this funny easy-reader, the Cat imagines driving his own. Hop on for a wild ride as he whips up magical Glow Cones that light up, wobbly Shake-a-Lot Shakes with tiny legs, super-cold Slushies that could freeze a swimming pool, and loads more yummy, zany treats!”

A perfect, cheerful choice for summer reading and gift giving, this rhymed beginning reader will delight Dr. Seuss fans, Cat in the Hat-fanciers, and ice cream-lovers young and old! – Beginner Books


Pete the Cat Screams for Ice Cream! by Kimberly and James Dean

I scream! You scream! Pete screams for ice cream!

The Just Chillin’ ice cream truck is coming today and Pete the Cat can’t wait. He runs as fast as he can to find the truck. It’s getting late, but his friends need his help.

Will Pete take a little time out of his day to help his friends?

Follow Pete the Cat as he learns that it’s always cool to be kind. – HarperCollins

A La Mode by Mark Scarbrough

a la modeAre you ready to take your baking over the top? Here are sixty decadent and delightful ice creams and the sixty desserts that are their vehicles. A la Mode offers not just solid dessert recipes, from raspberry oat bars to bear claws, from chocolate pecan pie to a white chocolate pavlova, but also gives you the unforgettable pairings that make these desserts smash hits: apple cranberry pie with Camembert ice cream, chocolate sheet cake with salt caramel frozen custard, and espresso cream jelly roll with mascarpone ice cream.

Let’s face it: vanilla can sometimes be so… vanilla. A great a-la-mode pairing should be as decadent as finding the perfect wine to go with your cheese plate. With A la Mode , IACP winners and cookbook dynamos Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough show you how to create innovative delights such as creamy hazelnut gelato atop coffee-poached pears, or maple frozen custard with a mouthwatering cinnamon roll cake, alongside simpler classics like confetti ice cream with layered vanilla birthday cake. You haven’t lived until you’ve had peanut brittle pie with popcorn ice cream, a Cracker Jack fantasy!

Because what’s a warm pie without ice cream? With A la Mode , you’ll have an answer to that question! (description from publisher)

July…a Month in Food

This month celebrates lots of national food holidays. Our blog today is going to highlight some of those holidays and give you great recommendations for books that pair well with each. I hope you are hungry!

fried chickenJuly 6: National Fried Chicken Day. Fried chicken is a staple at every summer picnic across America. From my own experience, the chicken is usually purchased from a name brand such as KFC or Walmart. Rarely do I get to enjoy some home cooked fried chicken. Check out Fried and True by Lee Schrager for 50 different fried chicken and sides recipes. Interested in chicken on the lighter side? Weightwatchers Ultimate Chicken Cookbook has more than 250 healthy recipes with chicken.

sugar cookiesJuly 9: National Sugar Cookie Day. Anybody and I mean anybody can make sugar cookies. For the novice baker, I would suggest purchasing the already prepared dough from the store. All you do is put the pieces on a cookie sheet, bake and decorate! Decorating after all is the best part. Whether you are using icing from the can or making your own, it’s always fun. If you love decorating sugar cookies take a look at 50 Deliciously Decorative Cookies by Fiona Pearce. This book is full of creative cookies. For a twist on a cookie, try Smart Cookie by Christi Johnstone. It’s decorating without the baking!

pieJuly 12: National Pecan Pie Day. I still remember the first time I ever tried to bake a pie. It was a sad looking apple pie, but it tasted great. Over time my pies improved and today they are absolutely gorgeous. Making a pie from scratch may seem daunting, but I encourage anyone who has interest to give it a try. We have the perfect book to get you started! Pie School by Kate Lebo includes 50 different pie recipes and all her pie baking secrets.

ice creamJuly 19: National Ice Cream Day. Nothing says summer like a scoop of ice cream on a hot day. If you love ice cream you definitely want to read Scoop Adventures by Lindsay Clendanial. In her book are the best ice cream recipes from each of the 50 states. In the Quad Cities we are home to an ice cream establishment that is known throughout the country. To learn more about its history visit the Whitey’s Ice Cream.

July 30: National Cheesecake Day. Cheesecake is much easier to bake than a pie and comes in just as many wonderful flavors. You will need a springform pan which can be purchased anywhere that sells baking pans. Once you have that, you are good go. The Cheesecake Bible by George Geary contains 200 different recipes for making cheesecake. You can be making your own cheesecake in no time! If you’d rather go to a restaurant, try the Phoenix in Davenport. They have excellent cheesecake.

Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street by Susan Jane Gilman

ice cream queenIn 1913, little Malka Treynovsky flees Russia with her family in The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street. Bedazzled by tales of gold and movie stardom, she tricks them into buying tickets for America. Yet no sooner do they land on the squalid Lower East Side of Manhattan, than Malka is crippled and abandoned in the street.

Taken in by a tough-loving Italian ices peddler, she manages to survive through cunning and inventiveness. As she learns the secrets of his trade, she begins to shape her own destiny. She falls in love with a gorgeous, illiterate radical named Albert, and they set off across America in an ice cream truck. Slowly, she transforms herself into Lillian Dunkle, “The Ice Cream Queen” — doyenne of an empire of ice cream franchises and a celebrated television personality.

Lillian’s rise to fame and fortune spans seventy years and is inextricably linked to the course of American history itself, from Prohibition to the disco days of Studio 54. Yet Lillian Dunkle is nothing like the whimsical motherly persona she crafts for herself in the media. Conniving, profane, and irreverent, she is a supremely complex woman who prefers a good stiff drink to an ice cream cone . And when her past begins to catch up with her, everything she has spent her life building is at stake. (description from publisher)

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at Home by Jeni Britton Bauer

We’re lucky here in the Quad Cities to have one of the best ice cream makers in the country right on our doorstep, but there’s nothing quite as sublime as homemade ice cream – sweet and creamy, mixed to your taste with your favorite ingredients. Learn how to take your ice cream up a step into artistry with Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at Home by Jeni Britton Bauer. You’ll never look back.

Each recipe in this book has been repeatedly tested by Jeni at home using only readily available home equipment. She shows that unique flavor combinations and creamy consistency are easily in reach. Lots of yummy pictures, friendly practical advice and personal stories make this book a pleasure to read. As well as ice cream, there are recipes for frozen yogurt and sorbets and suggestions for decadent desserts – such as a “Tuscan Sundae” made up of Salty Carmel ice cream, honey and vin santo sauce, biscotti and whipped cream.

Just reading through the names of the flavors is addicting and fun. Who could resist “Baked Alaska Pie Ice Cream”, “Watermelon Lemondae Sorbet” or “Roasted Strawberry and Buttermilk Ice Cream”. And though I think I”ll pass on the “Cucumber, Honeydew and Cayenne Frozen Yogurt”  and the “Celery Ice Cream”, call me the minute you make “The Darkest Chocolate Ice Cream in the World”. I’ll bring my own spoon.

Making Artisan Gelato by Torrance Kopfer

Making Artisan GelatoGelato. If you’ve ever been to Italy, you know how special it is. Elizabeth Gilbert talks about eating it at least once a day during her stay in Italy in Eat, Pray, Love. It’s a bit exotic and deliciously decadent but now, thanks to Making Artisan Gelato by Torrance Kopfer, you can make it at home as easily as ice cream. If you’re concerned about details, gelato is similar to ice cream, but contains less butterfat and has more air whipped into it. The important thing to know is that it’s sweet and incredibly delicious.

The first half of this beautifully photographed book covers all the basics – history, how to choose the best ingredients, equipment (gelato can be made in your ice cream maker), techniques and ideas for combining flavors. Then comes the fun part – recipes! They range from easy (raspberry, pistachio, French vanilla) to moderate (macadamia nut, dark chocolate-orange, espresso) to challenging (caramel, peanut butter cup, chocolate-cinnamon) There are familiar flavors – cookies and creme – and there are more exotic flavors – blueberry lavender. There are also recipes for sorbets and granitas and several decadent toppings and toppings. Through it all Kopfer guides you with a steady hand and friendly voice. Go ahead and treat yourself!