One fun way to spend quality time with your toddler is to put on an apron and cook a few meals together. Get out the ingredients, assign a few tasks, and enjoy whipping up some kid-friendly creations.
I have to admit that when I received Annabel Karmel's newest book - The Toddler Cookbook - I was hoping to find some ideas for the younger toddler set (12-24m). The book, though, is geared more to the 2-5-year-old set. The kids in the photos are in this age range and are seen grating cheese, chopping bell peppers, and adding ingredients into a hot skillets (all tasks that my 18-month-old daughter isn't quite ready for).
That said, Annabel Karmel's cookbooks never fail to disappoint me when it comes to the quantity and the quality of the photos - and the "fun factor" of the finished food items. After all, what kid wouldn't want to eat lettuce boats, little pita pizzas with smiling faces, salmon fishcakes (shaped like little fish), and peanut butter bears? So cute!
The author writes to the toddler, which is a bit odd since most toddlers don't read very well (if at all), but it does add to the child-centered "feel" of the book.
Also, the book only features 19 recipes - which is a little skimpy by adult cookbook standards - but perhaps perfect for the toddler. This book stays on my daughter's bookshelf instead of with my cookbook stash. It truly is geared to the child rather than to the parent.
My daughter may be too young to follow the directions in this book right now, but I already love "cooking" her and I bet we'll end up pulling this book out together sometime very soon. :)
WIN IT! One mama will win The Toddler Cookbook by Annabel Karmel. To enter, simply leave a comment on this post prior to Sunday, Mar. 23, at midnight (don't forget to follow the rules). The winner will be announced and contacted on Monday, Mar. 24. * Winner must provide a U.S. mailing address.
* UPDATE * The winner is #20 Megan. Congratulations!
My little guy loves to help me cook - and I'm determined to give him the skills he needs to actually help his wife in the kitchen some day! ;) I bet he would get a real kick out of this fun-looking cookbook.
This would be awesome for my budding chef!
dansan826 at yahoo.com
Haha..this would go great with the learning tower you highlighted! : ) I like your toddler series. Lots of great ideas and products for when little Josh and I are at that stage...
we love the kitchen... this would be great
we could defitinely use more variety=) I think when the phrase chicken nuggets or pizza rolls became part of our regualr lunch routine- its time to change!
I can't wait until Brea is old enough to join me in the kitchen. I'm thinking we are going to make some pretty big messes. I would love to have a cookbook that is geared for kids. Thank you.
We would have so much fun with this! Thanks!
I love kid focused cookbooks.Great giveaway! Count me in. bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com
This book sounds like so much fun! I would love for them to be able to try to do it all themselves! cookiecutter72 AT hotmail DOT com
my daughter always wants to cook with me but my recipes are not kid friendly for cooking. i would love to see what this book offers
bwalleshauser(at)yahoo(dot)com
Great because we have a little cook in the house!
grace [at] sandierpastures dot com
I have been wanting to get some cooking with kids cookbooks so that I could have some easy recipes to do with my kids. Thanks for offering this giveaway.
mopsmomut[at]yahoo[dot]com
This is a great way for parents to bond with their children!
I have read very good reviews about this Toddler Cookbook. Thanks for sponsoring another fabulous giveaway contest. Please put my name in the hat! Thanks,Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
Awwww, I LOVE the idea of keeping this book on the child's bookshelf. Definitely something I'd do if I won! I can already see her bringing me the book wanting to cook something yummy :)
I have heard great things about this book...My little man loves to help me in the kitchen, so this would be a great book to have onhand! Especially for those rainy days!LOL! Thanks for all the great toddler products you are featuring this week...They couldn't be more perfect for me!
sblilly14(@)yahoo(.)com
My daughter doesn't help me cook yet, she is too young right now. She sits in her high chair and watches me. But she will be able to help out soon so this book would be a wonderful resource. Thanks! katebeth45(at)gmail
Karmel's books have gorgeous photos and her recipes look yummy. I'd love to have this book to share cooking with my toddler (and I'm extra hoping to win the Learning Tower to cook without her pulling at my legs all the time!) when she's a little older to help cook these recipes. I think having your daughter in the kitchen is wonderful. A great learning experience for her. I never helped my mom in the kitchen; she was probably way to busy to have four children "helping". I never did develop confidence in the kitchen until I was in my late 20s. Well, okay, I'm still working on it!
I have Karmel's others book and would love to have this as an additional resource for cooking with my son.
T loves cooking with us. The chopping part's not happening yet, but she loves to stir, pour things into the pot, etc. This sounds like some fun mommy-daughter time! Thanks.
I love anything that can involve kids! Great giveaway:)
My daughter likes looking through my cookbook that I had when I was little (a Holly Hobbie one - which has probably seen better days), so it would be pretty cool for her to have her own cookbook. She really likes helping in the kitchen (she's 4) so it sounds like this would be perfect for us. Thank you for this giveaway.
jtpirillo at nconnect (dot) net
I'm always looking for new things to do with my toddler-looks like fun!
My husband and I both love to cook. This book looks like a great way to get Riley involved in the kitchen with us.
Yeah, under twos usually can't manage more than dump and stir...
Check out The Pretend Soup cookbook for other great preschool recipes. We LOVE that one!
I'm always up for trying new cookbooks, though!
Both my kids love to help me cook. This book would be great.
This would be great, I love to trya nd let my toddler help but with some foods its really hard. A cookbook would be nice!
Too cute- I love the idea of cooking with a toddler, but you're right, until they're a bit older, there would be a lot they cant do and the waiting to help 'here and there' might lose their interest quickly. I have hopes that when our kids are older (13ish-18), they'll be responsible for cooking one dinner per week. One can hope/dream, right? Would love this book to start them off in the right direction- healthy, at home cooking, and being self-sufficient in the kitchen! Thanks.
laurachilton (at) hotmail (dot) com
This looks like fun for me and my toodler! She loves to put on her cute little apron.
my princesses just love helping me in the kitchen, they would love their own cookbook
This would be so much fun... Maybe this will get us all in the kitchen! I'm not so thrilled with cooking, but I can make some mean cookies!