Scobey Joan. The Fannie Farmer Junior Cookbook

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2009. — 288 p. — ISBN10: 0316776173,
ISBN13: 978-0316776172, eISBN-978-0-316-08630-1.Age Range: 10 and up
Grade Level: 5 and upFor generations, Fanny Farmer has introduced young chefs to the world of good eating. This revised and updated edition offers delicious, healthy recipes for breads, soups, salads, meats, pastas, pies, and much more. Step-by-step instructions and basic guides to the ingredients, terminology, and common kitchen equipment are enhanced by informative illustrations. Safety tips and menus are also provided to help young cooks feel comfortable organizing meals for the whole family.Fannie Farmer has come a long way from the creamed eggs and stewed vegetables of yore. As Scobey writes in the introduction, "The world of food has changed dramatically..." There are new tools, products, and attitudes; there is more interest in international cooking and more attention being paid to health. What's left of the original book's approach is the good description of basic principles and recipes. "Cooking know-how" includes a helpful discussion of ingredients (including amounts of meat and fish recommended per serving), tools that may or may not be needed, terms that may be misunderstood by beginners, handy tips, and safety pointers. All are clear and to the point; the author understands that readers want to get to the preparations as soon as possible. The 119 recipes and their variations are all made from scratch, and are healthy without being extreme. Microwave instructions are given not as a way of life, but as a possible contribution to the goodness of the dish being prepared. Patience Brewster's pen-and-ink drawings are a pleasant addition. Sara and Zachary Williamson's Kids Cook! (Williamson, 1992) is a comparable, current cookbook for this age group. It's more folksy and fun, but not as basic and comprehensive as this one.