Wong, Janet. 1996. A suitcase of seaweed and other poems. New York: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. ISBN: 0-689-80788-0.
Introduction
This poem is about a grandchild and grandmother cooking together. The grandmother is such a good cook that she doesn't need to follow a certain recipe.
Grandmother's Almond Cookies
No need cookbook, measuring cup.
Stand close. Watch me. No mess up.
One hand sugar, one hand lard
(cut in pieces when still hard),
two hands flour, more or less,
one pinch baking powder. Guess.
One hand almond, finely crushed.
Mix it with both hands. No rush.
Put two eggs. Brown is better.
Keep on mixing. Should be wetter.
Sprinkle water in it. Make
cookies round and flat. Now bake
one big sheet at three-seven-five
When they done, they come alive.
Extension
Have children share memories they have about their grandmother (or another relative). What kinds of things do they like to do together? Kids could draw a picture and/or write a poem about something they like to do with their grandmother. OR students could write their own recipe poem.
Five Poems