When I first saw Cook School, I was so excited. I’ve been looking for something like this! I never know what skills children should be able to handle when, in the kitchen. This not only tells me, it gives me the tools to teach them. (This should come in especially handy with Sophia, who really loves food. 🙂 )

After an introductory portion, this gorgeous full-color hardcover book is divided into three sections, by age group. There is a section for 3-5-year-olds, one for 5-7-year-olds, and one for 7-11-year-olds. Each section begins with a page for grownups, explaining how cooking can be helpful for the age group in question, and what his developmental stage is like, as relates to cooking. This is followed by a list of skills to be gained during this stage. If these lists were the only thing in the book, they would be worth it to me! But of course they aren’t the whole book.

Each section is filled with recipes. At the top of the recipe page, there is a list of skills used. The ingredients and equipment used are listed, also. The instructions are numbered step-by-step. And there are lots of pictures.

One of the things I love about Cook School is that the recipes are designed to be kid-friendly, but it’s a healthy kid-friendly! This is not full of junk food, as so many kids’ cookbooks are. Rather, it’s mostly real, whole foods.

For us homeschoolers, this book makes an excellent addition to the home-ec/life skills curriculum. It would also form a wonderful basis for a co-op cooking class. Absolutely, 110% recommended.

Disclosure: My copy of Cook School was provided by the publisher, Ryland, Peters, and Small, to facilitate this post.  As always, all opinions expressed here are entirely my own.