by: Cara J. Stevens
Salad People and More Real Recipes: A New Cookbook for Preschoolers and Up
By Mollie Katzen
Ages 3-5
With a little help from their adult assistants, kids can whip up more than 20 flavorful dishes with the help of this highly anticipated follow-up to Katsen's first book, Pretend Soup. Complete with kitchen safety tips and a special section for adults, Salad People and More Real Recipes is the perfect book to get kids on the right track to healthy, vegetarian eating.
Cookbook For Teens: Teen Cookbook - The Simple and Healthy Teen Cookbook - Easy and Delicious Recipes For Teenagers
By Vivian Greene
Ages 13-17
When your little ones have long since grown out of the mommy & me phase, they end up back in the kitchen searching for something quick, easy, and satisfying. They can cook up something frozen or prepackaged that's filled with additives, or you can use the opportunity to teach them a life-long skill. The first chapter includes terms every cook should know, and the rest of the book is filled with practical, teen-friendly recipes that are quick to make, don't require major prep or clean-up, and are healthier alternatives to Hot Pockets and Oreos.
Kid Chef: The Foodie Kids Cookbook: Healthy Recipes and Culinary Skills for the New Cook in the Kitchen
By Melina Hammer
Ages 8-12
Instill or foster a love of food from a young age with a gimmick-free guide to real cooking with real food. Kids will learn proper technique and terminology while learning to appreciate fresh ingredients. They'll also learn how to set a table, use proper knife skills, stock a pantry, and figure out the best tools to use on any occasion. From small bites and appetizers to delectably delicious desserts, kids will become better cooks and gain vital skills as they create mouth-watering masterpieces for their friends and family.
Better Homes and Gardens New Junior Cook Book
Ages 5-12
An old classic kids' cookbook got a solid upgrade in 2012 and is still helping kids satisfy an urge to help out in the kitchen. With 65 brand new recipes, parents will enjoy working their way through the book as much as the kids. The book contains the Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook signature easy-to-follow, step-by-step recipes but also includes nutrition information, safety tips, and important terms and techniques new chefs need to know.
The Family Kitchen: Easy and Delicious Recipes for Parents and Kids to Make and Enjoy Together
By Chef Debra Ponzek
Ages 8-14
For slightly more advanced little chefs, pick up a copy of Debra Ponzek's Family Kitchen cookbook. Here, you'll find recipes for many family occasions like bake sales, snow days, and outdoor summer dinners. The book contains 125 recipes, including a challenging but worthwhile one for homemade marshmallows that requires a little more hands-on parent involvement than most kids' cookbooks. There isn't much handholding in the book, but the recipes are surprisingly more simple than they appear and the results are truly spectacular.
Hello, Cupcake!: Irresistibly Playful Creations Anyone Can Make
By Karen Tack and Alan Richardson
Ages 8 and up
Food photographers Karen Tack and Alan Richardson encourage kids and adults alike to play with their food, using everyday grocery items like store-bought tub frosting and marshmallows to decorate ordinary cupcakes made from cake mix in delightful, whimsical ways. Parents and kids of all ages will be amazed at the wonderful creations they can make with just an ordinary pair of kitchen scissors and a plastic knife or offset spatula. From cute "pup-cakes" to April Fools Day spaghetti and meatballs cupcakes, you'll want to try every one. Practice your favorites and teach guests at a DIY cupcake birthday party or whip up a few batches to be the hit of the bake sale! Each cupcake takes only minutes to create and they are all as delicious as they are impressive!
Fairy Tale Feasts: A Literary Cookbook for Young Readers and Eaters
By Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple
Ages 7-10
Celebrated author Jane Yolen and her daughter Heidi Stemple begin each chapter with storytime and end with recipes inspired by the tales. This whole-learning approach is a wonderful vehicle for kids to enjoy retellings of old favorites and dive further into the stories with simple yet delicious recipes. Along the journey, the authors share stories behind the stories as well as fun facts about the recipes included in the book. The book itself is focused more on the stories than the recipes, however it is a great way to incorporate a love of reading with a love of getting creative in the kitchen.
The Everything Kids' Cookbook
Ages 9-12
Chock-full of nutritious, easy-to-make recipes, The Everything Kids' Cookbook is the perfect way to get your child interested in kitchen basics. Cooking terms, safety measures, and nutritional information precede the recipes, and most creations can be made with ingredients you have on hand. This is a must-have book for any child who has expressed an interest in cooking.
