Pretend Soup and Other Real Recipes A Cookbook for Preschoolers and Up

When bestselling cookbook author Mollie Katzen presented us with the idea for a cookbook for preschoolers, we were delighted. Imagine a child deep into a bowl of "Green Spaghetti," "Zucchini Moons," or "Pretend Soup"-and loving it because he made it himself. Together with her coauthor, educator Ann Henderson, Mollie believes it's never too early to introduce children to the creative world of cookery in a fun, healthful way. For small children, exploring food and cooking is not just about eating. It can also be a playful activity and a way to learn new skills. As an educational experience, consider all the things a child can learn in the kitchen: counting, symbol recognition, reading readiness, patience, self-confidence, use of tools, food literacy, and more. PRETEND SOUP brings the grown-up world of real cooking to a child'?s level. Each vegetarian recipe is presented on double-page spreads, two per recipe. Full of Mollie's well-loved warmth and whimsical artistry, the first spread details the ingredients, safety tips, and a familiar version of the recipe for the prep cook: the adult. The second spread presents the recipe pictorially for the child and introduces a few easy-to-read words-your child moves from the usual role of helper to head cook. Have a great time-we did! Educators, please visit our Resources section, above, for teaching guides and curricula.

ANN HENDERSON is a credentialed early childhood education specialist and is co-director of the Child Education Center in Berkeley, California.
MOLLIE KATZEN is a cookbook author and artist who has profoundly shaped the way America eats. Mollie is a consultant and cocreator of Harvard's groundbreaking Food Literacy Project. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.