The 2011 Willow Awards
Shining Willow Nominee
The King’s Taster
Max is both the cook’s dog and the king’s taster. He loves his job, especially when the new king will not eat his meals and Max gets the leftovers. But when the king threatens the cook, Max goes to work to discover the surprising secret reason for the king’s lack of appetite.
About the Author
Kenneth Oppel is the Governor General’s Award-winning author of Half Brother, the Airborn series, and the Silverwing Saga, which has sold over a million copies worldwide. Kenneth Oppel lives in Toronto with his wife and their three children.
About the Illustrator
Steve Johnson & Lou Fancher once loved to distraction chocolate malts and peanut butter (or anything with peanut butter in it), sometimes even mixed together. These days they settle for pizza and yogurt (not mixed together). A husband-and-wife team, they have collaborated on over forty picture books, including the New York Times best-selling My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss, New York's Bravest by Mary Pope Osborne, and Bebop Express by H. L. Panahi. Their work has garnered rave reviews and won many awards. They live in Moraga, California.
Book Reviews
Suggested Activities
- The cook and the king’s taster travel all over the world looking for food the king will love. Choose one of the countries they travel to and try to find recipes from that country. You could look in your library or use the computer.
- What is your favourite meal? Write a menu for your “fit for a king” meal.
- Kenneth Oppel has written other books for children your age. Go to the library and see if you can find another picture book by Kenneth Oppel.
Teacher Resources
- Suggestions for using The King’s Taster with children, compliments of Smart Writers.
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