That unlikely grouping of words is the title of a new children’s book penned by Jason Hooker, Fifth Grade teacher at Berthoud’s Ivy Stockwell Elementary School, The book will be one of the special focuses of this year’s Winter Carnival at Ivy Stockwell where Hooker will be doing his first book signing.

The book is really a tribute to Jason’s grandfather. Hooker’s eyes light up when he talks about the wonderful times he spent with his grandparents when they lived in Loveland and life’s lessons he learned from his grandfather. “We would sit around the kitchen table and talk for hours,” said Hooker. “He taught me life’s lessons, things like, be a leader, not a follower, and be the best at whatever you choose to do in life.”  Hooker very much wanted to be like his grandfather.  In his book, Hooker writes, “I wondered if my footsteps would ever be as big as his.”

Grandpa, or “Pop-Pop” as Jason calls him, had immigrated to this country from Hungary as a teen-ager and brought with him the love of cooking and Hungarian food. Hooker said, “He was an expert at putting flavors together. We had a big garden in Loveland and everything for the Chicken Poppycosh meal, except the chicken, came from our garden.”

While Hooker weaves his story and his relationship around the cooking in his book, he also notes that his grandpa was skilled at many other things, including carpentry. “He carved wooden toys for my brother and me. I still have them and put them under the tree every Christmas,” he said.

His Grandfather passed away in the fall of Hooker’s eighth grade school year in Carbondale, Colorado. That spring, the local newspaper ran a contest for children to write about “Why their dad was the best.” Hooker decided to enter and write about his grandfather and he won the contest. His essay was entitled, “My True Father.”  That story, he says, was the start of his love for writing.

He fondly recalled his eighth grade English teacher, Ms. Noel Guest, who told him to “write from the heart.”

When asked if he had always had a talent for writing, Hooker confessed that before the eighth grade he got D’s and F’s in writing. He did not like the subject because, at the time, it was just grammar rules and punctuation. He fondly recalled his eighth grade English teacher, Ms. Noel Guest, who told him to “write from the heart.” That inspired him to put beautiful words together, “you can always go back and fix the grammar later.” Hooker lamented that he had lost track of Ms. Guest when she moved to Oregon. He would very much like to be able to give her a copy of his book.

“Writing the book was a healing process and helped me reach closure about the death of my Grandfather, while also celebrating the wonderful man my Pop-Pop was,” He said. He also wanted to share the idea that simple memories of doing things with the family are what should be important in our lives. Those days making the dumplings and cutting up the vegetables are valuable memories for him and those handmade wooden toys are cherished remembrances. He wants the children who read this book to understand the value of spending time with family. He reads the book aloud to classes at Ivy Stockwell and asks the children to think of something special they do as a family. It may be something as simple as making popcorn and having a family movie night at home. “That will be what they remember when they grow up,” he said, “not that expensive trip to the amusement park.”

Illustration for Copper Pots and Chicken Poppycosh, by Clinton Yaws

The book is beautifully illustrated by Clinton Yaws, a Greeley artist.  Yaws was assigned the challenging task of capturing the process of making Chicken Poppycosh in a unique and visually enticing way.  He certainly succeeded, and his free flowing steam element incorporated on each page tied the story together.  Hooker looks forward to working with Yaws on his other up-coming children’s books.

Copper Pots and Chicken Poppycosh has had one review on Amazon.com. This is what that reviewer had to say, “I love all of the beautiful illustrations. The author uses such great description. You really feel like you are in the story with the author making Chicken Poppycosh. I have had the actual meal and not only is it delicious, but it is exciting to learn the author’s family history behind the meal. I would recommend this book!”

Hooker and Yaws will both be in the Library at Ivy Stockwell Elementary on March 6, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for a book signing

You don’t have to order the book from Amazon. Hooker and Yaws will both be in the Library at Ivy Stockwell Elementary on March 6, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for a book signing where you can pick up a signed copy by the author and illustrator. This also happens to be the time of the Ivy Stockwell Winter Carnival; a good time to makes some special family memories.  Both the author and the illustrator encourage readers young and old to attend, and look forward to sharing this memory with you!  Be sure to also check out the book’s web-site at:  copperpotsandchickenpoppycosh.com

Some cookbooks call the recipe Chicken Paprikash, now we know better.

Jason Hooker, author of Copper Pots and Chicken Poppycosh

Book Description from Amazon.com

For ages 5 through 10, (but makes a great read-aloud for any age.) 28 pages.

Pop-Pop, Grammie, Gramps, Nana, or just Grandpa and Grandma; no matter what you call them, grandparents are very special people. They teach, spoil, and nurture their grandchildren in a way unlike any other family member can. Grandparents are the thread binding their family’s fondest memories together to retell for generations, even if that memory is as simple as cooking a special meal together. Join “Pop-Pop” as he and his grandson travel back to the Old World of Hungary while preparing his famous Chicken Poppycosh. Along their journey, they will trace footsteps back to their Hungarian heritage through the taste and smell of all the wonderful ingredients blending together in Pop-Pop’s shinning copper pots from the gardens of his childhood. Explore the profound closeness between grandparents and their grandchildren as your taste buds burst with excitement for the next bite on each page of Copper Pots & Chicken Poppycosh.