Cook's Cook: The Cook Who Cooked for Captain Cook

Following the success of Aotearoa, Gavin Bishop has produced another fascinating book on New Zealand history. Rather than add to the large number of books about Captain Cook, Gavin has focused on the story of John Thompson, the one-handed cook on board the Endeavour. This allows him to tell the story of Cook's voyage to New Zealand from a novel point of view and include many pieces of interesting trivia. The death of the cook before the end of the voyage doesn't hinder the re-telling as his soul slips into a seagull.
Alongside the cook's diary entries are speech bubbles, recipes, labels and, of course, Gavin's inimitable illustrations. Although, to the occupants of the Endeavour, this is a new land, it is already the turangawaewae of show more Maori and the illustrations reflect this. Maori name labels sit alongside debates over what to name various places and, as in Aotearoa, the geographic features in New Zealand often have faces. This narrative nonfiction book is full of fascinating information with even the end papers pressed into service. One set shows a cross section of the ship while the other has a map of the voyage. Cook's Cook is a great addition to children's books on New Zealand history. show less

Absolutely stunning endpapers are an indication of the style and attractiveness of this story about one-handed John Thompson. He is the ship’s cook on board the HMS Endeavour in 1768 with James Cook as they go to record the transit of Venus across the sun. John cooks his way around the expedition with recipes throughout for Pease Porridge, cooking shark steaks and albatross, Dog and Breadfruit Stew, Goose Pie, Poor Knights Pudding, Stingray Soup, Kangaroo Stew and Turtle Soup. The scientific party on board are named, as are the provisions taken, and the story is told through speech bubbles, journal entries and text boxes which lend an air of fun to the book. There is great information, such as the naming of Cannibal Cove and the sad show more story about how the captain traded a bag of sugar with a Māori woman for all her family treasures. There is the malaria that struck the crew, and the many who died, including John on 31 January 1771. Beautifully illustrated and laid out. show less