Favorite Cookbooks for Kids

I love cookbooks and I always have.

I probably own more than any one person needs.

So, in light of this love of mine, I thought I’d round up some of my favorite kid’s cookbooks I’ve read lately.

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Best for the Youngest Chefs

Pretend Soup and Other Real Recipes: A Cookbook for Preschoolers and Up by Molly Katzen and Ann Henderson. Katzen is the author of the Moosewood Cookbook and she brings the same healthy recipes to kids. This cookbook is designed to help your child be the head chef and you, the parent, her sous chef. The recipes are all designed as snacks and are made from fresh, wholesome ingredients. Some examples are: Bagel Faces, Zucchini Moons, and Chocolate-Banana Shakes. Each recipe appears twice, once in the conventional form for the adult helpers and also in a pictorial format for the kids to follow. It empowers kids and helps them feel comfortable in the kitchen and is perfect for preschool-aged kids.

Best for the Older Chefs

Better Homes and Gardens New Junior Cook Book  This is the updated version of my first cookbook. You’ll find recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between with such fun names as Brainiac Blueberry Parfaits, Jurassic Juice, and Wheels-on-the-Bus Pasta Salad. Each recipe is pictured which makes it easy for your young cook to pick their favorite recipe. The recipes are simple (despite the fun names) and are full of good-for-you ingredients. It’s a perfect first cookbook for your elementary-aged kids.

Tour the United States Through Food

The United States Cookbook: Fabulous Foods and Fascinating Facts From All 50 States by Joan D’Amico and Karen Eich Drummond. I love this cookbook for its concept; you can cook your way through all 50 states. The book is divided regionally from New England to the Pacific States. Each state is introduced with facts, a brief history, a list of food products that are produced there, and a reason why each recipe was selected. You can make Key Lime Pie from Florida, Swedish Meatballs from Minnesota, or Taco Soup from New Mexico. This is a fun addition to a geography curriculum or just a great way to learn about the United States.

Explore the World Through Food

The Kids’ Multicultural Cookbook by Deanna F. Cook Travel to 41 different countries around the world through such recipes as Chicken Curry from India, Apfelpfannekuchen (Apple Pancakes) from Germany, and Peanut Butter Soup from Ghana. This book is also peppered with facts, stories about real kids from around the world, and simple cultural activities. It also includes fun party ideas such as an Around the World Ice Cream Sundae party with suggestions for toppings from 26 different countries, or an International Cook-Out with ideas for foods and games from around the world. This is a fun cookbook to use to introduce your kids to many different countries.

Learn About Math in the Kitchen

The Math Chef: Over 60 Math Activities and Recipes for Kids by Joan D’Amico and Karen Eich Drummond We all know that cooking is a great way to reinforce math concepts, but this cookbook takes it one step further. Each chapter begins by introducing a math concept, then follows with math activities involving cooking and yummy recipes. Learn about math concepts such as measuring, fractions, geometry and more. Answer such questions as “How much does a handful of fettuccine weigh?” by making Fantastic Fettuccine or “What’s the diameter of a cupcake?” by making Nutty Carrot-Top Cupcakes. The recipes are healthy and use easy-to-find ingredients. This is a fun book to help reinforce math concepts at home. No worksheets required!

What is your favorite cookbook for kids?