The title doesn't fit the book.
The design of this cookbook cleverly supports young chefs in their mess-making—er, cooking.
With glossy pages that will withstand a wet-washcloth cleanup and a cover that unfolds into a stand, this easy-to-use spiral-bound cookbook is made for kids and includes both U.S. and metric measures. But the recipes and directions are not as well-designed. The safety note is just one sentence at the very beginning, easily missed. Seven sections follow, focusing on breakfasts; appetizers, soups and salads; main courses; beverages; snacks; desserts and baking; and projects to add ambience. Even picky eaters are sure to find something, although there are some ingredients that children will likely turn their noses up at, whether from taste or unfamiliarity: Gruyere cheese, dandelion leaves, bulgur wheat. Other ingredients may be hard to find—vanilla pods, orange-flower extract, orange-blossom water. And some of the ingredient lists are not specific enough—“1 bag of carrots,” “4 zucchinis,” frozen fish (the directions never say to thaw). But the biggest problem lies with the directions. Cooking terms are not defined—cream, sift, knead, score—and the pictures of the finished products frequently do not match the written instructions. Some of the steps could use pictures of their own, especially for those kids who don’t yet know their ways around a kitchen. Small spot cartoons of people and anthropomorphized animals dot the directions, but they seem more for amusement than to actually help young chefs succeed.
The title doesn't fit the book. (Cookbook. 9-14)Pub Date: Dec. 2, 2014
ISBN: 978-2-7338-2986-8
Page Count: 122
Publisher: Auzou Publishing
Review Posted Online: Nov. 3, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2014
Maybe it’s “awesome” to be average.
Champion table tennis player Syed begins this encouragement book by chronicling his own story of how he grew up believing he was average until he began to master the sport.
The goal of this book is to help kids realize that they needn’t necessarily be born with a certain gift or talent—that maybe success is a combination of hard work, the right mentors, and a strong support system. In the chapter “What’s Holding Me Back?” Syed offers a variety of ways a young person can begin to reflect on who they really are and define what their true passion may be. The following chapters stress the importance of practice, coping with pressure, and honoring mistakes as human rather than failure. Throughout the book, Syed highlights those he terms “Famous Failures,” including Steve Jobs, Jay-Z, and Jennifer Lawrence, while also providing a spotlight for those who mastered their talent by perseverance, such as Serena Williams, the Brontë sisters, and David Beckham. Though this self-help book has good intentions, however, it is a little heavy-handed on the perpetuation of an achievement-oriented life. Perhaps it is also good to acknowledge that not everybody need aspire to someone else’s definition of greatness.
Maybe it’s “awesome” to be average. (Nonfiction. 9-13)Pub Date: July 9, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4926-8753-5
Page Count: 160
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: April 13, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2019
A handy guide to the squishy, sometimes sticky stages of puberty.
An inclusive and humorous approach to puberty, plus strategies for coming out of it your best self.
Body changes, body hair, acne, and sweat are just a few things adolescents will experience differently during puberty. Consistently using the terms assigned male and assigned female to describe physical development experienced in puberty determined by assigned birth sex, Loveless makes clear these factors don’t determine gender identity. Combining appropriate, scientific vocabulary and a conversational tone—reproduction is defined as a way to “create more human life through penis in vagina intercourse”—she doesn’t dumb down information. At the same time, she refers to some activities such as intercourse and childbirth as “adult acts” or “adult tasks,” keeping the book a safe space for younger readers. She represents understanding physiology as the foundation to successfully managing this time, but so is understanding the social and emotional factors such as gender expression and the effects of screen use. When discussing mental health, Loveless provides tools and resources in multiple places. With a focus on communication and building trust with caregivers, strategies for both youth and adults are integrated throughout, as are ways for supporting LGBTQ+ youth. There is some racial diversity in the few illustrations in the book. For some aspects of puberty like menstruation, this will serve more as an introduction than a comprehensive resource.
A handy guide to the squishy, sometimes sticky stages of puberty. (resources, source notes) (Nonfiction. 9-14)Pub Date: March 23, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-63565-353-3
Page Count: 192
Publisher: Rodale Kids
Review Posted Online: Dec. 14, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2021
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