By Orshi:

When I came to the United States for the first time, pretty much every home made meal I tasted was from the famous Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook. Its special red and white cover still smiles at me from my cookbook shelf as it has truly been all over the place, following me through my travels. I am tempted to by a new addition but my old one has such sentimental value that I can’t possibly part with it. So I was very happy when we could add a new release to our collection and I hope this will create fond memories in my daughter and sons of our times spent together in the kitchen.

The Junior edition is exactly what is sounds like: simple and tasty dishes that children can make with only a little help. The fact that my daughter knows that this book is specially made for children makes it very appealing to her. She carried it around for about a week after receiving it and she talked about it many people, in fact she was generous to lend it to one of our neighbors. She is using it not only as a source of complete receipts but also as inspiration for new ones …. I actually could not believe that she was improvising by using basic dishes to adopt them to the ingredients we had at home. Proud momma moment – she is my child after all (can’t just follow receipts).

The book is beautifully illustrated with actual photographs of dishes surrounded by cartoons. The organization is outstanding – one of the things I am really picky about when buying cookbooks. As a starter, it teaches young cooks some simple kitchen rules, how to measure ingredients properly, and familiarize them with kitchen tools, safety, how to follow receipts, read labels and make wise and nutritious choices. Contents are grouped under Power-Up Breakfasts, A+ Lunches, All-Star Suppers, Snack Adventures, Magical Desserts, and Party Time.

My daughters favorite receipt is the Mini Elf Cookies … seriously she makes better cookies than I do. I can make pies, breads, pastries, decorate cakes and you name it, but I can’t make a good cookie. Well, I don’t have to anymore because I have a young baker to do it for me.

This book would make an amazing gift to budding kitchen enthusiasts. I found that involving my children in meal planning helps them become better eaters and better partners in the kitchen and some of my fondest bonding moments with my daughter were created over a meal or some baked good that we created together. As a parent I feel responsible to teach my children to be self sufficient and well rounded adults and cooking is by far one of the main elements in that.

The book is available at Barnes and Noble ($17) as well as at Walmart and other online sites.

About Orshi:

Orshi is a teacher at UCIC where she works daily with children. She shows a great love for children as she has three of her own. She also loves Facebook, gardening and baking. She was born and grew up in Hungary and now lives across the street.

Orshi Received a Sample