Claire
If you want to cook like Julia Child, you need her cookbooks. Not just any cookbook. Her cookbooks. The ones with butter-stained pages and instructions that actually work.
Julia wrote and co-wrote 18 books during her career. From the groundbreaking Mastering the Art of French Cooking to her posthumous memoir My Life in France, each one offers something different.
So which one should you buy first? I’ll break it all down for you.
How Many Books Did Julia Child Write?
How many books did Julia Child write? Julia Child wrote or co-wrote 18 books during her career, spanning from 1961 to 2006. Her first was Mastering the Art of French Cooking (1961), co-authored with Simone Beck and Louisette Bertholle. Her last was the posthumous memoir My Life in France (2006), written with her grandnephew Alex Prud’homme.
Most people know Mastering the Art of French Cooking. That’s the famous one. But Julia published many more books, and some of her later work is actually more accessible for home cooks.
Mastering the Art of French Cooking (1961 & 1970)
This is it. The book that changed everything.
Volume 1 (1961) was co-authored with Simone Beck and Louisette Bertholle. It took nearly 10 years to write. One publisher rejected it for being “too long.” When it finally came out, it became a sensation.
This wasn’t a simplified “French-ish” cookbook for Americans. It was the real thing. Detailed, precise, uncompromising. And somehow, completely accessible.
Volume 2 (1970) focused on French breads, pastries, and charcuterie. Julia wrote this one with Simone Beck only, as Louisette Bertholle did not participate.
My recommendation: If you only buy one Julia Child cookbook, make it Volume 1. It’s the foundation of everything else.
The Way to Cook (1989)
This is Julia’s most comprehensive solo work. It’s also more accessible than Mastering.
The Way to Cook includes step-by-step photographs and covers a wider range of cuisines. It embraces modern kitchen tools like food processors. It’s designed for cooks who want thorough instruction without the intimidation.
My recommendation: If Mastering feels too daunting, start here.
Julia Child Cookbooks in Order (Complete List)
Here’s every book Julia wrote or co-wrote, in chronological order:
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Vol. 1 | With Simone Beck & Louisette Bertholle |
| 1968 | The French Chef Cookbook | Companion to her TV show |
| 1970 | Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Vol. 2 | With Simone Beck |
| 1975 | From Julia Child’s Kitchen | Personal recipes and notes |
| 1978 | Julia Child & Company | TV series companion |
| 1979 | Julia Child & More Company | Follow-up to Company |
| 1989 | The Way to Cook | Comprehensive cooking manual |
| 1991 | Julia Child’s Menu Cookbook | Combines Company books |
| 1993 | Cooking With Master Chefs | TV series companion |
| 1995 | In Julia’s Kitchen with Master Chefs | TV series companion |
| 1996 | Baking with Julia | Focus on baking |
| 1998 | Julia’s Delicious Little Dinners | Quick meals |
| 1998 | Julia’s Menus for Special Occasions | Entertaining |
| 1999 | Julia’s Breakfasts, Lunches & Suppers | All-day cooking |
| 1999 | Julia’s Casual Dinners | Relaxed entertaining |
| 1999 | Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home | With Jacques Pépin |
| 2000 | Julia’s Kitchen Wisdom | Essential techniques |
| 2006 | My Life in France | Memoir (posthumous) |
Other Notable Cookbooks
The French Chef Cookbook (1968)
Recipes from her landmark PBS television series. A great companion if you’re watching the episodes.
From Julia Child’s Kitchen (1975)
More personal than Mastering. Features her husband Paul’s photographs.
Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home (1999)
Co-authored with her dear friend Jacques Pépin. Shows their different cooking styles side by side. One of my favorites.
Julia’s Kitchen Wisdom (2000)
A slim book of essential techniques. Perfect for quick reference while cooking.
My Life in France (Memoir, 2006)
Not a cookbook, but essential reading for any Julia Child fan.
Published after her death, My Life in France was written with her grandnephew Alex Prud’homme. It tells the story of how Julia discovered cooking in Paris, trained at Le Cordon Bleu, and wrote Mastering the Art of French Cooking.
This is the book that inspired the movie Julie & Julia. Read about Julia’s secret WWII service →
First Editions & Signed Copies
For collectors, first edition copies of Mastering the Art of French Cooking can be quite valuable.
General pricing:
- First edition (good condition): $200-500
- Signed by Julia Child: $1,000-3,000
- Signed by Julia Child AND Simone Beck: $3,000-8,500+
- True first printing in fine condition with dust jacket: Premium prices
Where to find them:
- AbeBooks
- eBay (with caution)
- Rare book dealers like Raptis Rare Books or Bauman Rare Books
If you’re collecting, condition matters enormously. Look for books with intact dust jackets.
Did Julia Child Write The Joy of Cooking?
Did Julia Child write Joy of Cooking? No. The Joy of Cooking was written by Irma S. Rombauer, first published in 1931. This is a common confusion. Julia Child’s famous cookbook is Mastering the Art of French Cooking (1961). Interestingly, Julia herself was a fan of Joy of Cooking and once met Irma Rombauer.
I get this question a lot. Two different books, two different authors, two different cooking traditions.
Which Julia Child Cookbook Should I Buy First?
Here’s my recommendation based on your experience level:
| Your Level | Start With |
|---|---|
| Beginner | Julia’s Kitchen Wisdom (2000) |
| Intermediate | The Way to Cook (1989) |
| Serious Home Cook | Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Vol. 1 (1961) |
| Julia Fan | My Life in France (2006) – then the cookbooks |
| Collector | First edition of Mastering, Vol. 1 |
My personal copy of Mastering has a cracked spine and butter stains on page 315. That’s what a cookbook should look like when you’re done with it.
Learn more about Julia Child’s life →
Frequently Asked Questions
Julia wrote or co-wrote 18 books between 1961 and 2006.
Mastering the Art of French Cooking (1961) is her most famous and influential work.
No. The Joy of Cooking was written by Irma S. Rombauer in 1931.
First editions range from $200 to $8,500+ depending on condition and signatures.
Julia’s Kitchen Wisdom (2000) or The Way to Cook (1989) are more accessible starting points.
My Life in France (2006), a memoir written with Alex Prud’homme, published after her death
Sources
- Wikipedia – Julia Child Bibliography
- Wikipedia – Joy of Cooking
- Penguin Random House – Julia Child
- Goodreads – Julia Child Books
– Claire
