Cookbook for children

Quoted message said:

cookbooks and which ones do a good job of teaching without dumbing down or
preaching. I just want him to get introduced to some simple stuff. I
don't care if the first thing he makes is cinnamon toast, I just don't
want to turn him off by sending a book that insults his intelligence.
Thanks
Janet

I would make a list of titles that look interesting, from the Amazon site,
then go & check them out at either the local library or bookstore.

Harriet & critters

Janet Bostwick said:

I'm thinking of getting my 7 yo grandson (birthday the end of this month) a
beginner cookbook. I've read the reviews on Amazon.com and I am confused.
Some say reading level 4-8, others give a grade level. He's a smart boy and
likes making and doing things. He's always been a tool guy but likes
hanging around the kitchen too. Do any of you have any knowledge of these
cookbooks and which ones do a good job of teaching without dumbing down or
preaching. I just want him to get introduced to some simple stuff. I don't
care if the first thing he makes is cinnamon toast, I just don't want to
turn him off by sending a book that insults his intelligence. Thanks
Janet

I don't have any experience with children's cookbooks, but do have some
experience with teaching kids to cook. Even with a cookbook, there
will need to be an adult in the kitchen with him, so if there are words
and phrases he doesn't know the adult will be there to explain them,
right? So I would err on the side of a book that's too advanced
rather than one that's too easy. -aem

Janet Bostwick said:

I'm thinking of getting my 7 yo grandson (birthday the end of this month) a
beginner cookbook. I've read the reviews on Amazon.com and I am confused.
Some say reading level 4-8, others give a grade level. He's a smart boy and
likes making and doing things. He's always been a tool guy but likes
hanging around the kitchen too. Do any of you have any knowledge of these
cookbooks and which ones do a good job of teaching without dumbing down or
preaching. I just want him to get introduced to some simple stuff. I don't
care if the first thing he makes is cinnamon toast, I just don't want to
turn him off by sending a book that insults his intelligence. Thanks

Isn't that like learning to ride a bike from a book?
Simple stuff like toast or an omelet is taught by
demonstration, not by reading about it.

A book would be good for teaching the background
of food -- history of the spice trade, the new
foods from the New World, etc. A good book on
cheeses might be a better start. That's an easy
subject to handle, and there will always be another
cheese to try. He might even like to try cheesemaking.

aem said:

I don't have any experience with children's cookbooks, but do have some
experience with teaching kids to cook. Even with a cookbook, there
will need to be an adult in the kitchen with him, so if there are words
and phrases he doesn't know the adult will be there to explain them,
right? So I would err on the side of a book that's too advanced
rather than one that's too easy.

Kids cookbooks are hard to follow. Not only do their directions written for
children, as opposed to the way they are usually written for adults, any time you
get to hot water, burners and stoves you have to go an get an adult to help :-)

"Mark Thorson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Janet Bostwick said:

I'm thinking of getting my 7 yo grandson (birthday the end of this month)
a
beginner cookbook. I've read the reviews on Amazon.com and I am
confused.
Some say reading level 4-8, others give a grade level. He's a smart boy
and
likes making and doing things. He's always been a tool guy but likes
hanging around the kitchen too. Do any of you have any knowledge of
these
cookbooks and which ones do a good job of teaching without dumbing down
or
preaching. I just want him to get introduced to some simple stuff. I
don't
care if the first thing he makes is cinnamon toast, I just don't want to
turn him off by sending a book that insults his intelligence. Thanks

Isn't that like learning to ride a bike from a book?
Simple stuff like toast or an omelet is taught by
demonstration, not by reading about it.

True, but I thought this would be a good way for the boy and his mother to
get started. All of the books talk about safety and tools and so forth.
Mom and Dad are both professors, so now is a good time of the year (summer
vacation) for everyone to have a little time to get over the initial hump.
By the time school starts I'm thinking they will have established a sort of
working rhythm to allow helpful hands in the kitchen.

I like your ideas about learning about other foods. I think there is one
cookbook that is foods of the world. I'll look into that. Thanks
Janet

"aem" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Janet Bostwick said:

I'm thinking of getting my 7 yo grandson (birthday the end of this month)
a
beginner cookbook. I've read the reviews on Amazon.com and I am
confused.
Some say reading level 4-8, others give a grade level. He's a smart boy
and
likes making and doing things. He's always been a tool guy but likes
hanging around the kitchen too. Do any of you have any knowledge of
these
cookbooks and which ones do a good job of teaching without dumbing down
or
preaching. I just want him to get introduced to some simple stuff. I
don't
care if the first thing he makes is cinnamon toast, I just don't want to
turn him off by sending a book that insults his intelligence. Thanks
Janet

I don't have any experience with children's cookbooks, but do have some
experience with teaching kids to cook. Even with a cookbook, there
will need to be an adult in the kitchen with him, so if there are words
and phrases he doesn't know the adult will be there to explain them,
right? So I would err on the side of a book that's too advanced
rather than one that's too easy. -aem

I think you're right. It's probably better to work into something that be
bored by it at the start. What age children have you taught to cook? And
what kinds of things did you teach them? Thanks
Janet
Janet

Janet Bostwick said:

I'm thinking of getting my 7 yo grandson (birthday the end of this month) a
beginner cookbook. I've read the reviews on Amazon.com and I am confused.
Some say reading level 4-8, others give a grade level. He's a smart boy and
likes making and doing things. He's always been a tool guy but likes
hanging around the kitchen too. Do any of you have any knowledge of these
cookbooks and which ones do a good job of teaching without dumbing down or
preaching. I just want him to get introduced to some simple stuff. I don't
care if the first thing he makes is cinnamon toast, I just don't want to
turn him off by sending a book that insults his intelligence. Thanks
Janet

Personally, I'd buy him one of Anne Willan's Look and Cook cookbooks.

Did you find...
The Children's Quick and Easy Cookbook, by: Angela Wilkes
http://tinyurl.com/jpxfy

Top 10 Children's Cookbooks
http://tinyurl.com/kormv
--

Ham and eggs.
A day's work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment for a pig.

"Harriet Neal" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

cookbooks and which ones do a good job of teaching without dumbing down
or preaching. I just want him to get introduced to some simple stuff. I
don't care if the first thing he makes is cinnamon toast, I just don't
want to turn him off by sending a book that insults his intelligence.
Thanks
Janet

I would make a list of titles that look interesting, from the Amazon site,
then go & check them out at either the local library or bookstore.

Harriet & critters

I'm going to try to do this, but it means a trip to the Mall area at bad
times of the day. I mean, I don't do the Mall. Horrors!!! Besides which
our Mall bookstores appear to be more geared to coffee, Danish and Meet and
Greet. :o{
Janet

"sf" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Janet Bostwick said:

I'm thinking of getting my 7 yo grandson (birthday the end of this
month) a
beginner cookbook. I've read the reviews on Amazon.com and I am
confused.
Some say reading level 4-8, others give a grade level. He's a smart boy
and
likes making and doing things. He's always been a tool guy but likes
hanging around the kitchen too. Do any of you have any knowledge of
these
cookbooks and which ones do a good job of teaching without dumbing down
or
preaching. I just want him to get introduced to some simple stuff. I
don't
care if the first thing he makes is cinnamon toast, I just don't want to
turn him off by sending a book that insults his intelligence. Thanks
Janet

Personally, I'd buy him one of Anne Willan's Look and Cook cookbooks.

Did you find...
The Children's Quick and Easy Cookbook, by: Angela Wilkes
http://tinyurl.com/jpxfy

Top 10 Children's Cookbooks
http://tinyurl.com/kormv
--

Ham and eggs.
A day's work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment for a pig.

Thanks. Wow! Neat list. I read the review from School Library Journal
about The Children's Quick and Easy Cookbook and decided against it. They
felt it was heavy on sweets. The book I was thinking about is
DK's Children's Cookbook http://tinyurl.com/f89xs

Mark Thorson <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Janet Bostwick said:

I'm thinking of getting my 7 yo grandson (birthday the end of this
month) a beginner cookbook. I've read the reviews on Amazon.com and
I am confused. Some say reading level 4-8, others give a grade level.
He's a smart boy and likes making and doing things. He's always
been a tool guy but likes hanging around the kitchen too. Do any of
you have any knowledge of these cookbooks and which ones do a good
job of teaching without dumbing down or preaching. I just want him
to get introduced to some simple stuff. I don't care if the first
thing he makes is cinnamon toast, I just don't want to turn him off
by sending a book that insults his intelligence. Thanks

Isn't that like learning to ride a bike from a book?
Simple stuff like toast or an omelet is taught by
demonstration, not by reading about it.

A book would be good for teaching the background
of food -- history of the spice trade, the new
foods from the New World, etc. A good book on
cheeses might be a better start. That's an easy
subject to handle, and there will always be another
cheese to try. He might even like to try cheesemaking.

Agreed!

I actually remember the first time I got to cook. I was probably 4 years
old and Pop gave me the spatula and let me flip a pancake. I flunked! I
kinda/sorta just folded it in half. I remember that like it was
yesterday! I was so mad at myself--Pop making it look so easy and fun. I
about cried but I got it right a few pancakes later. When all the
pancakes were done, Pop asked me for permission to eat MY pancake. I was
so happy!!! Pop's wants to eat my pancake!?!?!? I could COOK! 🙂 I loved
Pop even more that day!

Andy

P.S. My folded pancake went to our beagle who swallowed it in one bite,
practically.

Janet Bostwick said:

I'm thinking of getting my 7 yo grandson (birthday the end of this month) a
beginner cookbook.

OMG! Just on a whim, I did a Google search, and sure enough:

http://makeashorterlink.com/?O541417FC

This is the exact same first cookbook I got when I was a kid.
Straight forward, not too simple, non-patronizing. IOW, perfect for
a 7 yr old. I think I'll get one for my grandaughters.

nb

"Andy" <q> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Mark Thorson <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

snip

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Isn't that like learning to ride a bike from a book?
Simple stuff like toast or an omelet is taught by
demonstration, not by reading about it.

A book would be good for teaching the background
of food -- history of the spice trade, the new
foods from the New World, etc. A good book on
cheeses might be a better start. That's an easy
subject to handle, and there will always be another
cheese to try. He might even like to try cheesemaking.

Agreed!

I actually remember the first time I got to cook. I was probably 4 years
old and Pop gave me the spatula and let me flip a pancake. I flunked! I
kinda/sorta just folded it in half. I remember that like it was
yesterday! I was so mad at myself--Pop making it look so easy and fun. I
about cried but I got it right a few pancakes later. When all the
pancakes were done, Pop asked me for permission to eat MY pancake. I was
so happy!!! Pop's wants to eat my pancake!?!?!? I could COOK! 🙂 I loved
Pop even more that day!

Andy

P.S. My folded pancake went to our beagle who swallowed it in one bite,
practically.

Isn't it great to have a memory like that? I was talking to my daughter
about getting the cookbook this morning and she related a similar memory to
me. Actually one that I don't remember. She said I let her make cookies
all by herself and just left her to it and it really made her proud.
Schedules are so busy these days with both adults working and so many
activities for children, I wanted to make sure that the boys had the
opportunity to share that kind of experience. The 7 yo's brother is 4 and
fairly advanced just because he has an older brother -- he seems to have
skipped babyhood. So I'm thinking that ultimately the book will be used by
both of them. Thanks
Janet

"notbob" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Janet Bostwick said:

I'm thinking of getting my 7 yo grandson (birthday the end of this month)
a
beginner cookbook.

OMG! Just on a whim, I did a Google search, and sure enough:

http://makeashorterlink.com/?O541417FC

This is the exact same first cookbook I got when I was a kid.
Straight forward, not too simple, non-patronizing. IOW, perfect for
a 7 yr old. I think I'll get one for my grandaughters.

nb

I'm considering that one as well. Is it the same cover on the book that you
had as a child? BC is always good for the basics.
Janet

Janet Bostwick said:

"aem" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I don't have any experience with children's cookbooks, but do have some
experience with teaching kids to cook. Even with a cookbook, there
will need to be an adult in the kitchen with him, so if there are words
and phrases he doesn't know the adult will be there to explain them,
right? So I would err on the side of a book that's too advanced
rather than one that's too easy. -aem

I think you're right. It's probably better to work into something that be
bored by it at the start.

Why would he be bored? He's not spoiled, is he? In my experience,
*if* (highly unlikely) kids say they are bored - it means the task is
too hard, not too easy.

Quoted message said:

What age children have you taught to cook?

Begin now! I started teaching my grandson how to cook at age 2. At
age 4, he knows how to roll out and assemble (from scratch) pizza. He
does it with the aplomb and skill of a 4 year old, but at least he
knows the steps. So, age 7 is not too young (he should be taught how
to do his own laundry soon too).

Quoted message said:

And what kinds of things did you teach them? Thanks

Breakfast is good... anything breakfasty will do - from scrambled eggs
& toast to pancakes. Summer is coming, so he can learn how to make
salads from potato to tossed. My earliest recollection in the kitchen
involves stirring gravy on the stove, so there's always something they
can do that doesn't involve a recipe.

After breakfast, the all time winner in my house was chocolate chip
cookies. I taught my son how to make and bake them; so after I taught
her how to bake, he took over and made them with his little sister.
In fact, she was the main baker in the house for years. Her brother
made main dishes, she made dessert.

I had many breakfasts in bed as a result of teaching them independence
in the kitchen and I didn't need to be the main cookie baker after
they learned how to do that. As adults, both are adventurous and
absolutely wonderful cooks. So, it's never too early to start.
--

Ham and eggs.
A day's work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment for a pig.

Janet Bostwick said:

..... What age children have you taught to cook? And
what kinds of things did you teach them? Thanks

Don't remember exactly. Started probably around 8 with baking cookies,
cakes, quick breads. It was an occasional spending time together
thing, not a planned set of lessons. He was probably 10 when we
started on how to handle a knife, sharpen it, care for it. That led to
how to prep things for stirfry dishes. Didn't let him use the stove
top till he was tall enough. Come to think of it, we went through a
salad and dressing phase when he about 10, too. At 12, other interests
pushed kitchen work way down his list of interesting things to do. He
got back to it somewhat in his mid-to-late 20's. -aem

Janet Bostwick wrote on 15 Apr 2006 in rec.food.cooking

Quoted message said:

I'm thinking of getting my 7 yo grandson (birthday the end of this
month) a beginner cookbook. I've read the reviews on Amazon.com and I
am confused. Some say reading level 4-8, others give a grade level.
He's a smart boy and likes making and doing things. He's always been
a tool guy but likes hanging around the kitchen too. Do any of you
have any knowledge of these cookbooks and which ones do a good job of
teaching without dumbing down or preaching. I just want him to get
introduced to some simple stuff. I don't care if the first thing he
makes is cinnamon toast, I just don't want to turn him off by sending
a book that insults his intelligence. Thanks Janet

Most of these books are the same....no using the stove, no knives, and no
activities that would hurt the child or mess up your house. With that in
mind go for it.

--
-Alan

Janet Bostwick said:

"Mark Thorson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Isn't that like learning to ride a bike from a book?
Simple stuff like toast or an omelet is taught by
demonstration, not by reading about it.

True, but I thought this would be a good way for
the boy and his mother to get started. All of the
books talk about safety and tools and so forth.

That sounds deadly dull. A book about safety.
The only way it could be less exciting is if it
also covered nutrition.

A good food book should inspire. It should make
the reader want to try that piece of cheese (or
whatever). I admit that some of the best food
books create unrealistic expectations -- the cheese
isn't really as good as described, or maybe the
piece we got wasn't the best of that type, or maybe
it was my fault for imagining a much better cheese
than the author actually meant to describe. But
by the time you get to that point, it doesn't
matter. The book has done its work.

Janet Bostwick said:

I'm thinking of getting my 7 yo grandson (birthday the end of this month) a
beginner cookbook. I've read the reviews on Amazon.com and I am confused.
Some say reading level 4-8, others give a grade level. He's a smart boy and
likes making and doing things. He's always been a tool guy but likes
hanging around the kitchen too. Do any of you have any knowledge of these
cookbooks and which ones do a good job of teaching without dumbing down or
preaching. I just want him to get introduced to some simple stuff. I don't
care if the first thing he makes is cinnamon toast, I just don't want to
turn him off by sending a book that insults his intelligence. Thanks

I suppose the question is what you expect of a children's cookbook. My wife
bought the Better Home and Gardens Junior Cookbook for our son when he was about
6 or 7. The instructions are written differently than they are for adult, but
not necessarily IMO better or more clearly. In fact, after many years of regular
cookbooks I actually found them confusing.
As far as I can figure, what makes cooks like that children's cookbooks is lots
of pictures and easy recipes.

FWIW, my brothers and I all helped my bother with cooking and baking from a very
early age. I never saw a children's cookbook until my wife got that one for our
son. You'd probably be better off with a good basic cookbook like Betty
Crocker, Better Homes and Gardens or, my favourite all round and most useful and
relied upon, the Joy of Cooking.

Janet Bostwick said:

Quoted message said:

Straight forward, not too simple, non-patronizing. IOW, perfect for
a 7 yr old. I think I'll get one for my grandaughters.

nb

I'm considering that one as well. Is it the same cover on the book that you
had as a child? BC is always good for the basics.

Exactly the same. It was a flood of memories, seeing that picture.
In fact, mine was spiral bound, despite what the Amazon promo says. I
was a bit beyond some of the recipes, having prepared my first dish at
the age of four. Besides, mom had a standard BC cookbook and I was
already snooping around in hers. No doubt that's why she bought me
the kid's version. I think a lot of the attraction for kids is just
having a special cookbook all their own.

nb