Hello, friends! Our book today is Annabel Karmel’s Fun, Fast & Easy Children’s Cookbook, written by Annabel Karmel and illustrated by Bryony Clarkson, a collection of over forty recipes for young chefs.

Separated into four categories – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Snacks and Treats – Karmel walks kids through original recipes like Owl Porridge, Little Italy Bruschetta, Sunshine Paella, Snail Dough Balls, and more. Recipes are intercut with fun-fact pages on food groups like dairy and grains, which include bonus mini-recipes. The introduction includes safety tips and allergy information (recipes also have symbols on each to note if they are gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, etc).

Interesting but surprisingly advanced. Karmel’s meal selections encompass a healthy mix of culinary tastes and dietary restrictions, and explore some bold territory for a children’s recipe book. However, for an “ages 5 and up” cookbook, the majority of the recipes require 6-12 ingredients, a ton of prepwork, and some moderately advanced kitchen techniques that would absolutely need to be overseen, if not performed entirely, by an adult. This is not a cookbook that most young chefs, as beginners, could pick up and start experimenting with on their own. Otherwise, the food photography does makes the food look fun and appetizing, and Clarkson’s adorable illustrations are treats in and of themselves whenever they pop up. JJ was interested in a few of the recipes and all of the fun facts. A unique kid’s cookbook, but definitely not for novice chefs; start with a simpler set of recipes and work little bookworms up to this one. Otherwise, Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)