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The International Cookbook for Kids
The International Cookbook for Kids is packed with features that make cooking a 6 classic recipes from Italy, France, China, and Mexico; More than 1 full-color photographs and illustrations; Hardcover with concealed spiral binding that lies flat when open; Easy-to-follow recipe format; Kid-tested recipes; Chef’s tips discussing ingredients, nutrition, and technique; Safety section discussing basic kitchen precautions; Cooking terms and definitions; Special taco-party section; Includes dishes of every Appetizers, Salads, Soups, Main Dishes, Vegetables and Sides, and Desserts
176 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 31, 2018
This is a cute cookbook, but I gotta ask...where did they find kids that would eat swordfish? And would I want to eat it after the tykes cooked it? There are a few fairly good recipes but not actually aimed at a younger audience.
August 13, 2016
Too often we're trapped by our expectations. Take toys. A girl requested that the EasyBake Oven come in a more gender-neutral color because boys are so reluctant to cross into the pink aisle. How sad is that?
I fear The International Cookbook for Kids will suffer the same fate, which is too sad because, although the word kids is right in the title, this cookbook would be a boon to any first-time cook, whether 8 or 18 and fresh off to college. Author Matthew Locricchio includes recipes that are exotic enough to be interesting -- they come from what Locricchio calls "the big four" cuisines, Italian, French, Chinese and Mexican -- and adapts them so literally a child can make them. I bought this book for my kitchen-averse 25-year-old daughter, but I will be stealing quite a few recipes out of the cookbook myself. Do yourself a favor and don't judge this book by its title.
I fear The International Cookbook for Kids will suffer the same fate, which is too sad because, although the word kids is right in the title, this cookbook would be a boon to any first-time cook, whether 8 or 18 and fresh off to college. Author Matthew Locricchio includes recipes that are exotic enough to be interesting -- they come from what Locricchio calls "the big four" cuisines, Italian, French, Chinese and Mexican -- and adapts them so literally a child can make them. I bought this book for my kitchen-averse 25-year-old daughter, but I will be stealing quite a few recipes out of the cookbook myself. Do yourself a favor and don't judge this book by its title.
March 11, 2017
This is not a cookbook for kids!
The author has the kiddos deep-frying, mincing ginger, using a hot wok, adding ingredients like capers and expensive cheeses, making a bouquet garni, deseeding chiles, and cooking fresh swordfish! I was shaking my head in disbelief. Ha ha. Most of the things in this book I would not have taken on when I was first learning to cook as an adult. Plus, when my son was young if there was deep frying and hot woks being used he wasn't allowed near the stove!
Two of the desserts are custard tarts, and cream puffs. Those are not easy to pull off for adults! Kids will hate cooking and baking if they fail at reproducing the recipes. They will also not be motivated if the food is not something they would be interested in eating.
This is an adult cookbook that is being passed off as a kids' cookbook by putting a picture index of cooking tools in the back, adding some history factlets, and throwing in a couple of easy recipes here and there, like the "French" ham and cheese sandwich that was made "French" by using gruyère cheese. That one made me chuckle.
The only reason I gave it two stars, instead of one, is for $1.00 it is an okay cookbook in general. I would not pay more than that, though. I bought this to use as a kid's cooking review for my Children's book blog, but as you can tell, I was seriously disappointed.
The author has the kiddos deep-frying, mincing ginger, using a hot wok, adding ingredients like capers and expensive cheeses, making a bouquet garni, deseeding chiles, and cooking fresh swordfish! I was shaking my head in disbelief. Ha ha. Most of the things in this book I would not have taken on when I was first learning to cook as an adult. Plus, when my son was young if there was deep frying and hot woks being used he wasn't allowed near the stove!
Two of the desserts are custard tarts, and cream puffs. Those are not easy to pull off for adults! Kids will hate cooking and baking if they fail at reproducing the recipes. They will also not be motivated if the food is not something they would be interested in eating.
This is an adult cookbook that is being passed off as a kids' cookbook by putting a picture index of cooking tools in the back, adding some history factlets, and throwing in a couple of easy recipes here and there, like the "French" ham and cheese sandwich that was made "French" by using gruyère cheese. That one made me chuckle.
The only reason I gave it two stars, instead of one, is for $1.00 it is an okay cookbook in general. I would not pay more than that, though. I bought this to use as a kid's cooking review for my Children's book blog, but as you can tell, I was seriously disappointed.
February 11, 2013
A suggestion for parents looking at this book - let your kids pick the recipes you'll be making. You may be surprised (pleasantly) with what they choose.
When I first got The International Cookbook for Kids, I paged through it and identified a few recipes I thought would be good to start with. I saw that they were all written in a fun, approachable style and in simple terms that wouldn't seem foreign (literally) or overwhelming to kids. So, in this book, a recipe for Ratatouille becomes "Vegetable Casserole" and Croque-Monsieur becomes "Ham and Cheese Crunchies." Colored flags and a little description shows that they're creating Mexican or French or Italian food, but full-page color photos and simple "On your mark - get set - COOK!" instructions lead them easily down the path of actually doing it.
The fun part came when I showed the book to my daugther - and she chose completely different recipes than I thought she would.
Let's be honest, these are some challenging recipes. I would have thought that a homemade minestrone ("Vegetable Soup") tricky for my own abilities, let alone my 12-year-old daughter. And yet, when I let her go through the book and choose recipes together, that was one of her first choices. She wanted to make it for her vegetarian sister's birthday. She also liked the look of the Ham and Cheese Crunchies, and was happy when I explained how she could adapt it to make it vegetarian-friendly (easy enough - no ham!).
And the results? Uniformly delicious! Out first effort was the Qing Jao Jia ("Stir-Fried Shrimp with Red Peppers"), a surprisingly rich dish which was a big hit at another birthday party, followed by a Fresh Fruit Salad with Strawberry Glaze that was roundly praised as the best fruit salad we've ever had. The Minestrone and Croque-Monsieur made for a perfect combination as well, and my older daughter has already requested a repeat performance of the younger one.
But nothing - not even the excellent meals - beats the look of pride on my daughter's face when she presents her meal to her family. Something she chose herself, helped shop for ingredients for, something she chopped and mixed and stirred and plated. That alone makes the book well worth the price of admission.
There's a good variety of recipes for us still to try. I might have liked to see a few more dessert options and some breakfast dishes included (crepes, anyone?), but there's plenty for us to do yet. From egg rolls to hot and sour soup to a whole Taco Party chapter, I'm looking forward to helping my daughter learn, and to learning with her.
And of course, I'm looking forward to some great meals to come...and I don't have to do all the cooking!
When I first got The International Cookbook for Kids, I paged through it and identified a few recipes I thought would be good to start with. I saw that they were all written in a fun, approachable style and in simple terms that wouldn't seem foreign (literally) or overwhelming to kids. So, in this book, a recipe for Ratatouille becomes "Vegetable Casserole" and Croque-Monsieur becomes "Ham and Cheese Crunchies." Colored flags and a little description shows that they're creating Mexican or French or Italian food, but full-page color photos and simple "On your mark - get set - COOK!" instructions lead them easily down the path of actually doing it.
The fun part came when I showed the book to my daugther - and she chose completely different recipes than I thought she would.
Let's be honest, these are some challenging recipes. I would have thought that a homemade minestrone ("Vegetable Soup") tricky for my own abilities, let alone my 12-year-old daughter. And yet, when I let her go through the book and choose recipes together, that was one of her first choices. She wanted to make it for her vegetarian sister's birthday. She also liked the look of the Ham and Cheese Crunchies, and was happy when I explained how she could adapt it to make it vegetarian-friendly (easy enough - no ham!).
And the results? Uniformly delicious! Out first effort was the Qing Jao Jia ("Stir-Fried Shrimp with Red Peppers"), a surprisingly rich dish which was a big hit at another birthday party, followed by a Fresh Fruit Salad with Strawberry Glaze that was roundly praised as the best fruit salad we've ever had. The Minestrone and Croque-Monsieur made for a perfect combination as well, and my older daughter has already requested a repeat performance of the younger one.
But nothing - not even the excellent meals - beats the look of pride on my daughter's face when she presents her meal to her family. Something she chose herself, helped shop for ingredients for, something she chopped and mixed and stirred and plated. That alone makes the book well worth the price of admission.
There's a good variety of recipes for us still to try. I might have liked to see a few more dessert options and some breakfast dishes included (crepes, anyone?), but there's plenty for us to do yet. From egg rolls to hot and sour soup to a whole Taco Party chapter, I'm looking forward to helping my daughter learn, and to learning with her.
And of course, I'm looking forward to some great meals to come...and I don't have to do all the cooking!
November 22, 2016
We have like, 250 countries and 7 continents on this planet, and this cookbook for kids, which actually has quite a few recipes in it, only covers four countries. And they are the most overplayed countries when it comes to "international" cuisine. France, Italy, Mexico, and China. The book was bigger than I expected it to be when it came in at the library, so I had some high hopes. But really. Four countries. Boo.
I know that the point of the book is to appeal to kids, but there are so many possibilities that could have been addressed here. British cuisine? Shepherd's pie and scones. No mention of them here. Africa was not represented at all, when it would have been really easy to include recipes for stews, breads, or simple meat dishes. The Caribbean has a lot to offer, but this book ignores that region. And India...the possibilities are endless! The author missed an amazing opportunity to share truly international cuisine with kids, without leaving them behind in terms of culinary skill or taste.
Edit: I deleted an abusive comment from this review, but heck yeah I could do better! For one, I mentioned ways to improve the book right here in my review. For another, I know there's a lot better selection out there since I have read hundreds of these types of books. The author is being lazy, skimming a bit from other sources and then trying to make a quick buck. Reviews like this exist to inform other readers what they are getting and where they might get information if a title is found lacking. This book was found lacking. The end.
I know that the point of the book is to appeal to kids, but there are so many possibilities that could have been addressed here. British cuisine? Shepherd's pie and scones. No mention of them here. Africa was not represented at all, when it would have been really easy to include recipes for stews, breads, or simple meat dishes. The Caribbean has a lot to offer, but this book ignores that region. And India...the possibilities are endless! The author missed an amazing opportunity to share truly international cuisine with kids, without leaving them behind in terms of culinary skill or taste.
Edit: I deleted an abusive comment from this review, but heck yeah I could do better! For one, I mentioned ways to improve the book right here in my review. For another, I know there's a lot better selection out there since I have read hundreds of these types of books. The author is being lazy, skimming a bit from other sources and then trying to make a quick buck. Reviews like this exist to inform other readers what they are getting and where they might get information if a title is found lacking. This book was found lacking. The end.
Read
March 18, 201510-6-14 - 10 min
10/8/14 - 10 min
10/10/14 - 5 min
10/17/14.. 10 min
10/24/14 - 10min
10/31/14 - 15 min
10/20/14-10min
12/5/14- 15 min
12/14/14 - 30 min
1/10/15 - 30 min
1/18/15 -20 min
1/25/15 - 15min
3/5/15- 30min
10/8/14 - 10 min
10/10/14 - 5 min
10/17/14.. 10 min
10/24/14 - 10min
10/31/14 - 15 min
10/20/14-10min
12/5/14- 15 min
12/14/14 - 30 min
1/10/15 - 30 min
1/18/15 -20 min
1/25/15 - 15min
3/5/15- 30min
September 8, 2018
Decent introduction to a variety of cuisines.
The author keeps it simple and straightforward. The recipes are fairly representative without being complex. He does a good job of separating prep work from cooking and assembly. Some of these dishes are familiar standards, others might be ones you've heard of but never made, and still others might be totally new flavor combinations (Fish Veracruz was for me.)
I feel like the instructions were written for a young adult and that the recipes are more suited to a more grownup palate, so be advised this book is not for everyone. Having said that, if your aspiring chef has outgrown mac and cheese and English muffin pizzas, this could be just what you're looking for.
The author keeps it simple and straightforward. The recipes are fairly representative without being complex. He does a good job of separating prep work from cooking and assembly. Some of these dishes are familiar standards, others might be ones you've heard of but never made, and still others might be totally new flavor combinations (Fish Veracruz was for me.)
I feel like the instructions were written for a young adult and that the recipes are more suited to a more grownup palate, so be advised this book is not for everyone. Having said that, if your aspiring chef has outgrown mac and cheese and English muffin pizzas, this could be just what you're looking for.
December 27, 2012
My son (5) is extremely into cooking right now and got this for Christmas. The instructions are really well laid out and clear to follow. My only complaint is the paper-back binding makes it hard to keep the book open for him to reference, but we rigged up a pants-hanger and got it to work. Can't wait to try all the recipes!
February 4, 2011
Good, although I'm not sure they are quite as kid-friendly as I had hoped. My son was really interested in making the egg rolls, though. They are good, honest recipes, just not what I was looking for, I guess.
March 13, 2014
Rip off
boooooooooooooooooooooooooorrrring
I have this book but a better one worst cook book ever bet all of that food is fake.
boooooooooooooooooooooooooorrrring
I have this book but a better one worst cook book ever bet all of that food is fake.
October 6, 2014
Interesting foods
It helped get my kids in the kitchen cooking and trying new things !!
MY kids enjoyed a few recipes
It helped get my kids in the kitchen cooking and trying new things !!
MY kids enjoyed a few recipes
Read
September 18, 2017I didn't try out any of the recipes, so I will leave off a rating.
This book features a variety of international recipes that are easy enough for kids to make. Most of the recipes have full color photos of the finished food. The instructions are clear and mostly easy. Some recipes will require adult help to prepare. There are also informational segments at the beginning of each recipe and in between the chapters. They are interesting and informative, but really written at a more advanced, adult level.
This book features a variety of international recipes that are easy enough for kids to make. Most of the recipes have full color photos of the finished food. The instructions are clear and mostly easy. Some recipes will require adult help to prepare. There are also informational segments at the beginning of each recipe and in between the chapters. They are interesting and informative, but really written at a more advanced, adult level.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews