Cooking Class: 57 Fun Recipes Kids Will Love to Make (and Eat!) Spiral-bound – March 10, 2015

A few years ago, I searched for a kids' cookbook that I could love and that my kids could enjoy and follow easily. I was so surprised by the variety of cookbooks and the poorly written directions they included. In particular, I remember looking at Paula Deen's cookbook for children. The small print, light type, and colored background... I wanted a better cookbook for my kids! For me, cookbooks are inspiring (even if I almost never follow a recipe exactly)! I ended up finding one that I loved-- Kids Cook!, a Williamson Kids Can book that is now back in print. But, there are no photographs in the cookbook. My kids love color and they are not drawn to that cookbook. On the other hand, a new cookbook arrived at our doorstep last week and my kids hovered over it--drinking in the recipes, excited to cook!That cookbook is Cooking Class by Deanna F. Cook. A few years ago, Storey published two cookbooks for kids about sewing that I like: Sewing School and Sewing School 2. With this cookbook for kids, Storey followed the same format and editing style--which I loved back then and love again with this new cookbook.Cooking Class is divided into seven sections that cover the basics, meals, snacks, and of course--dessert! The Basics section is what I have found lacking in most kids' cookbooks, but in this one, it is done well. Good tips, good pictures, and even a page on how to clean up! I like that they added two pages on how to fold a fancy napkins and setting the table. I have a feeling that our next holiday meal will have some beautifully folded napkins!From there, the recipe sections begin. The recipes are divided into 1, 2, or 3 spoons. 1 spoon recipes can be made by kids themselves. 2 spoon recipes might need an older sibling or parent's help. 3 spoon recipes use sharp knives and the oven/stove, so an adult is most likely needed for kids under 10 or 11. My daughters are 9 and 11 and are uncomfortable with the oven and can turn on the gas stove, but usually prefer me to do that.The recipes are easy to follow and have great pictures which give clear instructions. The reading level (because of the size of the type) is probably 3rd grade and above. I know that my first grade son can read most of the words in these directions, but the size of the type would be a stumbling block for him.Our first recipe we tried from the cookbook was the grab and go granola bars. I was a little skeptical about how my kids would like them since they aren't baked, but my whole family ended up loving them! I think next time, though, I am going to try and mix the chocolate chips into the mixture and then press into the pan so that the chocolate chips are mixed throughout the bars and aren't just on top.I suspect that within a few months every recipe in this cookbook will have been tried by my kids!Aside from the recipes, the cookbook includes some fun stickers, place cards, and conversation questions for the dinner table. These are of high quality and my kids have enjoyed them all.I think you get the idea... when choosing a great kids' cookbook, this one tops my list! (and has been added to my list of favorite cookbooks.)Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this cookbook for review from Storey publishing.

Excellent cookbook for kids!!! It’s probably geared more for older kids, but very fun for my almost 5 year old who loves to help me in the kitchen and is very independent.Some require help with the oven or appliances but others don’t - there’s a rating at the top of each recipe to show basically how hard it is and if you need help from an adult. Lots of pictures, simple ingredients, talks about kitchen rules, safety, kitchen vocabulary with pictures (like beat, chop, crush, grill, sauté, simmer, etc.) even teaches how to fold a “fancy napkin.” It includes blank recipe cards, place cards, game cards, stickers and labels. Recipes include breakfast, lunch, dinner, veggies, snacks, desserts. The recipes even make suggestions for substitution of ingredients which I like to help more with creativity and teach kids to use what you have on hand.I also like that it is spiral bound so it lays open flat on the counter. I know that’s a small thing but that was something I was looking for before ordering. It’s a very well rounded book. I would definitely recommend it!!!

If you are looking for a gift for your little chef, I highly recommend this "Cooking Class" cookbook! My cooking kiddo loves it!Some of the great features:The recipes are not too complicated, so they are actually kid-friendly (unlike many other kids' books which have complicated recipes). I love that they include plenty of "real food" in this book -- so many kids' cookbooks have tons of sweet treat recipes and hardly any healthy recipes. The color photos and instructions are clear. The spiral bound book makes it easy to lay flat on the counter. The introductory chapter has a lot of how-to and safety tips for kids in the kitchen.This is hands-down the best kids' cookbook that we have!

I love to cook, and my kids like to help as much as they can. We are always looking for ways to get them involved, and cooking independently. This book is excellent for this! Great easy recipes that kids can handle and love to eat are central to this book, and the extras like food tags and labels are a lot of fun for the kids and us adults as well. Definitely a great gift for the kids in your life, and for those who want to get their kids cooking and eating healthy, go for it!

We have loved making many recipes from this book!

My boy (Jordan) and girl (Evelyn) grand twins (5 yrs.)love to color and learn hence, this couldn't be a better gift.I can hardly wait to share this with them :)

Informative

This book is a well thought out and easy to follow guide for young cooks in the kitchen. It has everything from cleaning, to proper tools and safety. The recipes range from simple to a little more complicated. The more complicated recipes suggest that an adult be there to oversee the project which is a great opportunity for collabarative work and teaching. It has interesting takes on old favorites. Putting french toast on skewers with fruit was a fresh idea for an old favorite. I recommend this for kids of all ages that want to learn kitchen skills and enjoy some creativity.