My Very First Cookbook: Joyful Recipes to Make Together! (Little Chef)

Gr 1-3--This book frames the act of cooking as a bonding experience with loved ones. Kid-friendly food reigns supreme amidst the 48 recipes, which are organized by meal type. The dishes heavily skew toward hearty comfort food; healthier options are scarce. However, if the goal is to appeal to the pickiest of eaters, there's plenty of fun options to try, including "Toads-in-the-Hole Toasts," "Waffle Pizza Sammies," and "Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches." The recipes range in complexity and provide variation tips that encourage improvisation in the kitchen. Throughout the text, there is a consistent emphasis on adult supervision and participation, especially for recipes that require knife work, frying, and using kitchen appliances. Whimsical illustrations, which depict cheery animal cooks and ingredients, accompany the recipes. The artwork could delight younger cooks but annoy older readers, who prefer photographs of finished dishes. Additional content sections (jokes, "Celebrations and Conversations") and a set of blank recipe cards are included. VERDICT A yummy cookbook that will inspire many fond memories for young cooks and their families. Recommended for libraries who do not already possess previous books in the author's "Little Chef" series, as much of this cookbook's content has been recycled from those works.--Pearl Derlaga, York County P.L., VA