The Best Chef in Second Grade

by Katharine Kenah, Katharine Kenah

A famous chef is coming to visit Mr. Hopper's second grade class, and everyone is excited about bringing in their family's favorite dish to share except Ollie, who loves to cook but cannot find a dish his whole family likes.

Genres: Childrens, Cooking, School, Food, Fiction

48 pages, Hardcover

First published June 28, 2011

Reviews

[Steve Holden · Rating 4 out of 5]

The final in a trilogy of books that connects to my grade and classroom perfectly! All are written in the same manner with the same characters all part of the same second grade class. This is a great transitional reader to early chapter books, and I love the connections for second grade students. I read aloud the first one already to my class, and all are featured on our shelf to begin the year!

[Daniela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like cooking too just like Ollie. Ollie's sister is funny and I like that book a ton.

[Caitlin W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great Easy Reader for children who like to spend time helping out in the kitchen, The Best Chef in Second Grade is a good choice for young readers who might still need a little assistance to get through a book. Ollie is a young boy who feels like he isn't the best at anything in his class. So when he hears that a famous chef is visiting the classroom and all the students will get to bring in their family's favorite dish, he's excited-- this could be his time to shine. Unfortunately, it's much harder to figure out what his Family Favorite is than he had anticipated. His little sister doesn't like anything! But Ollie perseveres and finds the perfect dish in the nick of time. The book has several good messages: First, that no one person is the best at everything, but everyone has their own particular set of skills. Second, though nothing was really made of it, having the main character being male showed that there's nothing wrong with being a boy and liking to cook. Recommended for K-2.

[Cassie]

This book starts off with the main character Ollie wanting to be the best at something in second grade. Ollie's favorite chef was coming to class to cook something special for the whole class. Chef Antonia was a very good chef. She threw food into the air and set it on fire. Ollie realized he was a good cook. Ollie’s class was told to find their family’s favorite food and then share with the class. When the students came to class next day they pushed their desks together and covered them with tablecloths. On Friday every student brought in their family’s favorite food. Chef Antonia came into the class and though Ollie’s dish was great! She knew it was something special and gave Ollie an apron and let him help cook and he was known as the best chef in second grade. This would be a good book to use when talking about cooking. This book would be good to read for a lesson overcooking and the tools needed for cooking. An activity a teacher could do is have the students bring their family’s favorite dish in and share it with the class.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis: "Ollie is not the best at anything in second grade, but he does love to cook. So when he learns that the famous Chef Antonia will visit Room 75, he can't wait! However, everyone has to bring in their family's favorite dish--and Ollie has no Family Favorite. His little sister doesn't like anything! Will he lose his chance to finally be the best in the class?

A delicious blend of warmth and humor, this is a delightful story about doing what you love most."

My Review: This is an excellent level 2 books, the sentences and paragraphs are getting more complicated and short chapters are introduced too. Some of the words might be a little difficult for pronouncing but most should be able to be read. It is a fun story that will also prompt some post reading or during reading discussions. I really think Munchkin is going to enjoy this one when he reaches this reading level.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

With a message that everyone has a special talent, The Best Chef in Second Grade tells the story of Ollie, who’s only talent appears to be cooking, as he tries to find his family’s favorite dish. With boldly hued watercolor and ink pictures to accompany the large-type font and short paragraphs, the design of the book is inviting and not at all intimidating. Ollie’s quest for a family favorite, his sister Rosy’s obstinate refusal to like any food, and the excitement of an impending celebrity visit combine to make a very readable and identifiable story for any early reader. Although the ending is a little bit trite, Rosy’s behavior is borderline obnoxious and Ollie appears to be whipping up his culinary masterpieces without the benefit of parental supervision (he’s only in the second grade!), the story is sure to please any child with a hankering for experimenting in the kitchen.

[Mellanie C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12878451

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many kids in Mr. Hopper's second grade class are the best at something, and Ollie wants to be the best at something, too. When he hears that local TV personality Chef Antonia will be visiting the class as a special guest, he gets very excited and decides that he will be the best chef! There is just one problem - Mr. Hopper has asked each of his students to come in with a recipe for a favorite family dish, and no two people in Ollie's family can agree! In the end, though, he unexpectedly impresses Antonia with his macaroni and cheese dish, and gets an even bigger surprise when he finds out that Antonia and Mr. Hopper are related!

Each of the three books in this series demonstrates the importance of both class unity and individual pride. The children in these books make mistakes and have fears that are common to the average second grader, but they sort out their problems and each book ends on a positive note. The illustrations of the class are warm and inviting, filled with varying faces, whose actions and reactions help to set the mood in each story. These stories are very gentle, and they deal with real-life school situations that any child could face. I also really like the way each book exposes the reader to new vocabulary on a particular subject - hamsters, or space, or cooking - while embedding the lessons in a greater story. The short chapters divide the book into nice, manageable passages, and also prepare the reader for the chapter books he or she will soon read.

[Kyra Boettcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first Ollie figures out chef Antonia is coming. Next his teacher tells the class to find a family favorite. After that he's sad because his family doesn't have a family favorite. Next he asked his mom, dad and,sister what there favorite food was. His mom's favorite was macaroni. His dad's favorite was cheese. His sister's favorite was macaroni and cheese with a face. So he made macaroni and cheese with a face. The next day he bring it to school. Chef Antonia was there. Chef Antonia looked around she opened up Ollie's dish and said you are a chef. THE END!

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good early reader chapter book; good for booktalking to 1st and 2nd grade. Bright colors, simple text, several chapters. When a chef is scheduled to visit his classroom, second grader, Ollie, is not sure of what family favorite food to make and bring to school. When he makes his dish and embellishes it with a face, he discovers that the chef loved to do the same when she was young - making him feel very good about his choice and about himself.

[Sara B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about a young boy who thinks everyone in his class has a talent but him. His family doesn't even have a favorite food like the rest of his classmates. He is the odd one out. The teacher's sister is coming for a visit and the teacher wants everyone in the class to bring in their family's favorite dish to eat. What is he going to do? Does his family have a favorite dish and who is the teacher's sister? Could she be famous?

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book which L randomly pulled off the early reader shelf at the library turned out to be surprisingly relevant. A boy tries to figure out what "family favorite" dish to cook for a special food day at school. (A's class is having a cultural food celebration at school this week.) Regardless of this coincidence, this is a good story with a relatable protagonist who uses creative problem solving skills to meet a challenge.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun book about children cooking and sharing their creations with their class. It's a good book for beginning readers and the topic is perfect for their level in school. The cooking abilities for the children in the book are quite advanced, but we are also working on teaching our girls to cook, so perhaps they will be closer to this level in a year or two.

[Tam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a "Reading with Help Level 2" meaning it's an engaging story with longer sentences and language play for developing readers. It has 4 short chapters.

Excerpt from the book:
"Ollie wanted to be the best at something in second grade. He was not the best reader. He was not the best runner. He was not the best artist. Everyone else in Room 75 seemed to shine."

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ollie has a goal to be the best of something from his room 75. When he learns that his favorite chef, Chef Antonia, will be visiting, he practices for the recipe that his entire family loves. His macaroni and cheese with a face wins the chef over.

[Ky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ollie is a little boy with a great idea. This is a great single reader book with a simple but wonderful story. It demonstrates thoughtfulness and confidence in oneself. Big words with pictures that can help guide the reader.

[Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is broken up into 4 "chapters." The writing flowed well and I think a student at this reading level would really enjoy it. It was a cute book to show how everyone has their own special talent.

380- Lexile
18 - DRA
J - GRL

[carissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

K - 2nd grade
reading with help

[Veronica Baca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute easy reading book for young children to read and learn how to be the best chef!

[Alessandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great quick read for a curious kid.



My kids love these s book and as a parent it is the perfect length for a short bedtime story.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ollie wants to be the best at something like everyone else in his class. Preparing for a special guest helps him learn where he excels.

[Elizabeth Castro · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Best Chef in Second Grade encourages family interaction, promotes positive feelings about school, and encourages children to be the best at whatever they enjoy. It leaves readers feeling like possibilities are endless for their lives!
This book has fun engaging illustrations. I highly recommend giving as a gift to anyone entering the second grade.

[Henry Claxton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the idea of children being apart of the food process. Cooking gave Ollie confidence. However, in the story Ollie was stressing to find his families favorite meal although it's okay if everyone likes different food. Also, Ollie made macaroni and cheese without showing any steps or any parental help.

[Bryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saskia, a second grade reader who struggles with reading, was able to read independently on book for two sittings. She rated a four/ five stars for the fact that baking cupcakes is baking not cooking.

[Faloni © · Rating 5 out of 5]

I start my diet today. 🤢🤮🦠

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a simple but surprisingly thorough read. The conflict was extended in a well-thought-out way and I was invested in the story. The illustrations were pretty good.