It’s said that kids who help in the kitchen are more likely to be adventurous eaters. Whether or not that’s true is debatable in our house, but our kids do enjoy being kitchen helpers (even if that means I’m wiping flour off the ceiling and egg off the floor). Here are seven picture books for your youngest sous chefs.
How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World, by Marjorie Priceman
What goes into making an apple pie? For most of us, gathering up the ingredients involves a trip to the grocery store. But what if the grocery store were closed? Well, then baking an apple pie involves a trip around the world. From Italy, to England, to France, to Sri Lanka, to Vermont, baking the perfect apple pie is a global effort. Once you’ve finished your trip around the globe, a simple, kid-friendly recipe for apple pie is included.
Gazpacho for Nacho, by Tracey C. Kyle and Carolina Farias
You may have a Nacho in your house: the picky eater who lives off of one or two foods. For Nacho, that food is gazpacho. He won’t even think of trying anything else. Not fish, not bread, not even ice cream! Sick of making gazpacho for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Nacho’s mother sets out to teach him to fix it himself. After a trip to the market, and success in the kitchen, Nacho decides maybe trying a few other dishes may not be so bad. The rhyming text includes both English and Spanish words, and a recipe for Nacho’s favorite dish.
Stone Soup by Jon J. Muth
Three Chinese monks arrive in a town, weary and looking for a place to rest. But the town’s residents are less than friendly, doors locked tight and windows drawn. The hungry monks decide to make a pot of stone soup, an activity that soon draws the attention of one curious little girl. That little girl offers her mother’s larger pots, and slowly the townspeople come out of their homes, offering their own contributions to the soup. This retelling of the classic folktale is beautifully illustrated, and the message of community and compassion never grows old.
Pancakes, Pancakes!, by Eric Carle
Like many growing children, Jack wakes up hungry. And on this particular day, he wakes up hungry for pancakes. His mother is happy to comply, as soon as he gets grain from the mill, milk from the cow, an egg from the hen—you get the idea. Jack not’s sure he’ll ever get his pancakes! But as is so often the case, the very best things come with a little hard work.
Spork, by Kyo Maclar and Isabelle Arsenault
With a mom who’s a spoon, and a dad who’s a fork, Spork is a little different than the rest of the cutlery in the drawer. He doesn’t fit in with either the forks or the spoons, he’s never chosen to be on the dinner table, and he never gets to take the bubble bath in the sink after mealtimes. It’s not until a new, rather messy, individual arrives at the house that Spork finds his very important place.
The Little Red Hen (Makes a Pizza), by Philemon Sturges and Amy Walrod
You may think you know the story of The Little Red Hen, but why make a loaf of bread when you can make a pizza? The story features the familiar characters of Hen, Dog, Duck and Cat. As in the traditional tale, Hen’s friends are not interested in helping her shop for the ingredients, making the dough, or adding the toppings. They are, of course, happy to help her eat it, and in a slight twist, the previously reluctant helpers then take on clean-up duty.
The Seven Silly Eaters, by Mary Ann Hoberman and Marla Frazee
The seven Peters children have driven their mother to the brink with an age-old complaint of parents everywhere: picky eating. Each child has his or her own list of acceptable foods. One prefers his oatmeal without lumps, another eats only applesauce, the twins both like eggs, but cooked different ways. As her birthday approaches, the frustrated and frazzled Mrs. Peters is sure the family will not even notice the event. But Mr. Peters and the children have a special surprise up their sleeves.
What stories do you recommend for getting kids involved in the kitchen?
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