Since I have ancestors who lived in the Netherlands in the 17th century, I'm interested in books that will help me learn about my ancestors' daily lives. I've always been attracted to Dutch and Flemish art from the 16th and 17th centuries. I was thrilled to find a book that combines both of these interests. Barnes and Rose have selected art works depicting Dutch children's lives in the 17th century. Brief essays accompanying each art work analyze the images of childhood, including food, clothing, toys, games, pets, and holiday activities. Introductory essays on childhood toys and games and on children's food set the context for the art selections. The book includes several recipes for typical food from the era, including some of the foods depicted in the art works.

I learned what I hoped I would learn about how my Dutch ancestors lived in the 17th century. The depictions of family life and children's games brought back happy memories of my own childhood. The authors' stated hope is that the book will be enjoyed by families and will provide an occasion for parents and grandparents to share their childhood memories with their children and grandchildren. This is just the sort of book my grandmother would have loved. I always headed for her bookshelves soon after arriving at her house, and I would have been drawn to a book like this. It's a book that can be enjoyed repeatedly, whether by looking at a painting or two or by preparing one of the recipes. It's one I'll be purchasing for my permanent collection. Highly recommended.

This book is based on an electronic advanced reading copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley. ( )

Seventeenth-century Netherlands, the Golden Age, inspired many. From conquering the world seas, economic growth to bustling cities. Painters and writers left an enormous legacy of this period of the Dutch republic. Childhood Pleasures: Dutch Children in the Seventeenth Century explores the toys, plays, festivals and food of children in that era. In the first part an historical introduction is given. In the second part tens of paintings are shown and explained. And as a real dessert, the third part has a series of recipes of traditional children’s food of the era, ones your own children can help preparing: pancakes, sweats, tarts, and so on.
he images in the book are organized around eight themes: Infancy; St. Nicholas; Celebrations and Music; Toys and Games; Animals as Pets and Companions; Inventing Fun, Games, and Mischief; Shopping for Food Treats; and Winter Activities: Outdoors. Typical Dutch names for food and toys are translated and explained, often with surprising roots. I was glad to find my city of birth’s famous Deventer Koek (a kind of ginger bread) included. But you will disover the loopwagen (the walker), hoepel (hoola hoop), speculaas (rooted to Latin specula, mirror), knikker bakker (marbles play case), Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas festival at December 5th), Sint Maarten (Saint Martin at November 11th) and Lent plays as well. A pleasure to read and watch. It saves you trips to many European museums where the paintings are exhibited now. Or you get inspired to plan (another) trip to Europe and enjoy the Golden Age’s treasures ( )