by Jennifer Wickes
Member since:
August 24, 2006

Book Review: Handstand Kids Italian Cookbook

October 23, 2007 02:53 PM EDT (Updated: November 03, 2007 07:14 PM EDT)
views: 144 | rating: 10/10 (9 votes) | comments: 21

Title: Book Review: Handstand Kids Italian Cookbook

Author: Yvette Garfield

Publisher: Handstand Kids 2007

Spiral-bound, 52 pages

ISBN: 978-0-9792107-0-9

 

An excellent cookbook encouraging children to learn not only how to cook, but to also introduce them to another language and culture. 

 

Recipes included in this book are:  The Best-O Chicken Pest-O, Mamma Mia Minestrone and Every Tummy Loves Tartufo.

 

This cookbook is a unique approach to a creative idea.  It is presented in a personal-sized pizza box with a chef’s hat included.  Each recipe indicates the level of difficulty for each recipe.  The tools used in the kitchen as well as the ingredients are written in both Italian and English to help increase an awareness of other languages.  The book is presented by the Handstand Kids:  Five children that represent different ethnicities, one is disabled and one is vegetarian.  This is a nice approach to show children how everyone is different and how to develop a sensitivity towards differences.  Children are also encouraged to utilize their new cooking skills and help the underprivileged.

 

With the increase in mobility around the world, Handstand Kids is a great way to introduce children to culture, language, the kitchen and to think of the needs of others.  Not only would this make a great gift, but it would also be great as a donation to your local children’s library.
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Comments: 21

Richard Frisbie Oct 23, 2007, 2:58pm EDT
I especially liked the "donation to your local children's library" Nice touch. This sounds like a fun cookbook for kids!
Sonia M. Oct 23, 2007, 10:27pm EDT
Jen, this sounds like a great gift for my "will-be-almost-8-right-after-Christmas-grandson" - he likes playing in the kitchen while his mom cooks.
Sonia M. Oct 23, 2007, 10:39pm EDT
Jen, you twisted my arm and I just ordered one for my little Jim for Christmas!
Joan O. Oct 24, 2007, 8:11pm EDT
Great review Jen and it sounds like a great kids cookbook.
Jennifer Wickes Oct 24, 2007, 9:51pm EDT
This is truly a fantastic concept. I hope you enjoy it!
Risa G. Oct 24, 2007, 10:03pm EDT
What a great idea! I think I have to see this book. Trev might like some of these recipes. He is beginning to eat different things and I try and make child-friendly ethnic dishes such as Lo Mein and Fried Rice. This may give me other ideas.
Connie C. Oct 28, 2007, 9:45pm EDT
This does sound like a great cookbook for kids.
Lisa Gensheimer Oct 28, 2007, 9:49pm EDT
Thanks Jennifer. This looks like the perfect gift for my grandkids. They are always so eager to pull up their chairs to the counter and we have great fun mixing up a batches of something new every time they come to visit. Is the book suitable for preschoolers?
Kim K. Borders U.S. Oct 28, 2007, 11:21pm EDT
Jennifer, this sounds wonderful! I will order a copy for my seven-year-old tomorrow. Mille Grazie!
Susan *. Oct 29, 2007, 7:48am EDT
with two kids and numerous nieces and nephews of Italian decent, this sounds like the perfect book for gifting!
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Farmgirl Susan Oct 29, 2007, 9:36am EDT
I'm curious if you've actually made any of the recipes to see if they work--and are any good.
Jennifer Wickes Oct 29, 2007, 9:57am EDT
Lisa: I tried this book with my 4YO and my 8YO and they both did fine with it. Of course, the 4YO needs to avoid knives, can't read...!

Farmgirl Susan: Yes, the recipes do work. Of course, this is a cookbook for children, so the recipes are basic and do not use complicated skills.
Interesting idea, Jennifer. I'm with Susan, though, tell us about the recipes! Do they make 'pizza' on an english muffin with jarred sauce like most other kid's cookbooks? *grin*
Jennifer Wickes Oct 29, 2007, 6:10pm EDT
Hi, Kitchenmage (nice ring!),

They give a recipe for a sauce to use on the pizza! So...no English muffins or jarred sauce in this book!

The author of the book indicated that this is the first in a series. So, it makes me wonder...what's next?
Thanks Jennifer, the name was bestowed upon me by someone who eats my cooking a lot.

No English muffin pizzas is always a good start for a kid's cookbook. It should be interesting to see what they do next.
Jennifer- Very lucky mommy S. Oct 29, 2007, 10:11pm EDT
good article
sherry h. Oct 30, 2007, 1:58am EDT
Amazing. Last month I wrote an article on new and interesting cookbooks for a lifestyle magazine and included both the Kid's Handstand cookbook and Romantic Dinners for Two.
Have you gotten your teeth into Demolition Desserts? Elizabeth Faulkner's recipes from Citizen Cake in San Francisco. Yum.
Nice work Jennifer.
Sherry
Robin"Buffy's Stunt Double" D. Oct 30, 2007, 11:49am EDT
This sounds like a good idea for my little chef for Christmas. I have to admit that I also enjoy to make some of the easy kids' cookbook recipes. It's a win-win--the kids prefer the simpler meals and it's less work for me :)
David C. Oct 31, 2007, 7:06am EDT
sounds like fun. my 2 year old already shows some interest in cooking (now if he would only eat what he helps me make!)
Melinda ~choosing happiness~ S. Nov 1, 2007, 1:56pm EDT
This is a great review! I think this needs to be on my shopping list......

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