December 1, 2022
PreS-Gr 2-Beginning cooks have everything they need in this book from Good Housekeeping. Starting with a full chapter on kitchen basics, it then covers all the recipe types young chefs will want to cook, including "Rise & Shine Breakfasts'' and "Fun Foods & Holidays." The book does an excellent job of presenting information visually for children still learning to read. Step-by-step processes and equipment recommendations are outlined with photographs. An outstanding feature is a visual table of contents for each recipe section. Rather than list recipes by name, there is a photo of each finished product, so those who "eat with their eyes" can easily decide on what looks good to make. Recipes themselves are clear and easy to follow, with all the necessary details: ingredient prep, serving size, time estimate, etc. The pages are studded with blurbs, fun facts, jokes, and cooking tips. At times, pages do get a little cluttered with too many extras, which may prove confusing for young readers. VERDICT A clear, concise volume with fun recipes for those just starting out. The focus on photos makes this a great addition for beginner chefs.
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