Bake, Make & Learn to Cook: Fun & Healthy Recipes for Young Cooks

by Atherton, David
Published by Candlewick Press Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
five-stars

From the front to the back cover this is an engaging cookbook which realizes it goals to encourage children to cook and to eat new foods. The author is a past winner of the Great British Baking Show who brings his enthusiasm, knowledge and creative ingredients to a cookbook for primary grade children.  The equipment list and cooking terms are placed at the beginning of the book as they should be.   Child chiefs are encouraged to try new ways to prepare old favorites and to experience healthy foods and snacks.

Beyond the encouragement, ingredient list and preparation steps provided by the author; the illustrator adds dimension and frolic to the text.  Her drawings of family members (in all sizes, shades and abilities) are whimsical and appealing.  Even the font is fun.  While the directions are necessary it is the little touches that add to the overall appearance. Color is used sparingly where it adds texture to the pages. Extensive use of white space makes the pages very readable.

This appealing and charming cookbook belongs in public libraries and makes an excellent gift to all families with young children.  Grandmothers are going to learn new healthy recipes while they enjoy cooking with their favorite little ones.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME

five-stars