"Of all the kids' cooking books that have crossed my threshold over the years, this is the one that seems to have struck gold. I usually hand kids' cookbooks to my daughter (she's 9 now) for a first opinion before looking at them myself; this one I never got back. Cooking Class, written by family-magazine editor and kids'-cooking specialist Deanna Cook, seems to know how to talk directly to kids (or at least bookish kids who are seriously motivated to feed themselves) with minimal interference from parents. Part of the appeal is that it's such an intensely visual book, full of colorful pages, punchy graphics and clear instructions. It's got peel-off labels for your homemade dressings (because even a kid independent enough to cook for herself is still a kid, and hence not immune to the charm of stickers). It's got pictures of other kids cooking by themselves. And now, our copy's got stains and sticky spots — sure signs of devotion no matter what the cook's age." — T. Susan Chang, NPR "Spiral-bound, with glossy, easy-to-clean covers, these cookbooks are bright and colorful, with recipes that range in difficulty from very easy (mug cake, salad dressing) to more complicated (crepes, spring rolls). They are perfect for children who want a thorough introduction to the kitchen, including basic rules for safety, vocabulary, setting a table and — you’re going to love this, parents — cleaning up. They are written for children ages 8 to 12, but again, younger ones will find something for them here, too." — New York Times "Cooking Class is a fantastic how-to-cook book for kids. They’ll get an overview of basic cooking skills, learn kitchen vocabulary, and even learn how to set a table. The book includes press-out bonus material like recipe cards, table discussion cards, place cards, and four sheets of stickers. Includes recipes for fruit roll-ups, popcorn chicken, and mashed potato clouds." — Book Riot “An appealing blend of fun techniques (flowers made of fruit, anyone?) and practical recipes (omelets, apple crisp) make former FamilyFun editor Deanna F. Cook’s new book, Cooking Class, a must-have for any budding chef. The recipe variations and open-ended projects let kids take their culinary creativity to the next level.” — FamilyFun
"There comes a time, kids, when you've got to expand your kitchen repertoire beyond mac 'n cheese, hot dogs, and PBJ. French Toast on a Stick, Quiche Cupcakes, Tiny Tomato Toast, and Lettuce Roll-Ups are so much more interesting and healthy, especially when you've made them all by yourself. No matter what you want to cook, this book has you covered, with helpful photos, easy-to-follow instructions, and quirky twists on recipes." — Foreword Reviews
"For any parent who is in full 'how do I start' shrug mode, wondering how to bring their kid into the kitchen — pick this up: a few recipes in, the goal will be accomplished." — Katie Workman, author of The Mom 100 Cookbook, Creator of themom100.com blog
"A creative, hands-on collection of fun, kid-friendly recipes, with easy step-by-step directions and inspiring photos." — Ann Hallock, Editor-in-Chief, FamilyFun magazine
"This book teaches kids that the art and pleasure of cooking isn't just about how to crack an egg or dice a tomato — it's about preparing and sharing tasty, healthful foods in creative ways." — Amanda Kingloff, author of Project Kid: 100 Ingenious Crafts for Family Fun
02/01/2015
Gr 3 Up—A comprehensive first cookbook for novices. Step-by-step instructions easily spell out how to make breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as how to prepare vegetables, snacks, and desserts. Standard favorites, such as pancakes, biscuits, apple crisp, pasta, and vanilla pudding, are just a few of the varied range of fare presented. This work features cheerful photos of young people creating foods that kids love to eat. The use of healthy ingredients adds further to the appeal. Colorful stickers and decorative recipe cards are another bonus. VERDICT Though there are plenty of cookbooks aimed at the younger set, this is a worthy addition to the profusion of similar titles.—Kathryn Diman, Bass Harbor Memorial Library, Bernard, ME
