The African-American Child's Heritage Cookbook [Paperback]

Vanessa R. Parham (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

"Cooking can be fun and exciting for kids. Just by being in the kitchen, they learn math skills, time management, measurements and equivalents, safety skills, responsibility and a sense that they have to clean up after themselves. At the same time they keep their ethnic cookery heritage alive for the next generation to enjoy." Vanessa Parham has been teaching children and grown-ups how to cook, together, for more than twenty-eight years. This book, written expressly for children age five and above and their grown-up helpers, is especially for those never exposed to cooking techniques and those interested in learning about African-American cuisine, Creole and Cajun dishes, African, Native American and Caribbean dishes as well as any persons who collect unique cookbooks for themselves or give them as gifts. The print is large, easy to understand and there's only one recipe per page. Ingredients and equipment needed are all clearly spelled out. Cooking directions are highlighted under the caption "How To Make It". Children learn about kitchen safety while helping to prepare snack, breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes. Additional chapters accent recipes of Creole & Cajun, American-Indian, Caribbean and African heritage. Holiday dishes are presented with special attention on African-American celebrations such as Kwanzaa and Juneteenth. Of special interest to children and their adult helpers are the two chapters devoted to George Washington Carver's sweet potato and peanut recipes.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A large, easy-to-handle softcover book designed for children to enjoy reading...more of a fun project than a book...The book is filled with recipes and well-written vignettes on African-American history. -- Los Angeles Sentinel 3/93

A unique collection -- Ebony Magazine 2/94

Perfect guide through the kitchen and also to one's heritage. -- The Sanford Herald, NC 1993

The book is more than a roster of recipes. It is also a glimpse into our past. In addition to vignettes of African-American history, there are chapters devoted to cooking throughout the diaspora-Creole and Cajun, Native American, Caribbean and African food-as well as a listing of African-American celebrations and a five-page glossary...This cookbook is a cinch to follow. -- Essence Magazine 8/93

The book makes...learning {to cook} easy. It's printed in large type, includes brief bits of history with lots of line drawings, a listing of black holidays...and more than 200 recipes written with simple, clear directions. -- Los Angeles Times 1/93

The recipes are very simple instructions for kids. It's a great cookbook. -- The Aegis, MD 1993

From the Publisher

Over the years, this title has been one of our best sellers. Grandparents love it, not just for the glimpse of African-American history it contains but because it brings the family together in the heart of the household: the kitchen. Parents who never learned to cook the recipes their mothers made are really happy when they see some of their old favorites resurrected. And some of them in new, healthy recipes! Kids love to experiment, especially in the kitchen. But cookbook are often too complicated for them to read. Our one recipe per page, in BIG TYPE, makes kids feel at ease. Anyone who has had children knows what a real sense of accomplishment children experience when they produce something that actually gets used by the family! We at Sandcastle Publishing are very proud that other large publishers have reprinted our "Safety in the Kitchen" guidelines in their own series of educational books for school children. The author, Vanessa Roberts Parham, has always been a strong supporter of cooking as a medium for teaching children life skills-responsibility, time management, math, organization, socialization! That seems a lot for one book to do but we think the African-American Child's Heritage Cookbook makes an incredible start. The book was published for children and their grown-up helpers of all races, because ethnic foods are a heritage easily shared with friends and family.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 289 pages
• Publisher: Sandcastle Pub (March 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0962775622
• ISBN-13: 978-0962775628
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #755,195 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Soul Food Cooking Made Easy, April 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The African-American Child's Heritage Cookbook (Paperback)

This cookbook is not just a kids cookbook. Furthermore, the recipes in this cookbook actually taste like real food. The instructions are easy to follow and easy to see. Perfect for talking on the phone or watching t.v. while you cook. The format of displaying the ingredients is excellent. I have taken this cookbook with me to the grocery store instead of making a list. The types of pots and pans and cooking utensils you need is also listed (just in case you don't have a super duper kitchen) This is a great cookbook for someone who does not know how to cook or needs a reference for some of their favorite recipes like mac and cheese, greens, etc. Recipes are for all meals. Breakfast lunch and dinner. Buttermilk biscuits, cracklin bread, spaghetti, real southern fried chicken, hush puppies, a must have for a good cookbook collection.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for Children for Adults Too., November 1, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The African-American Child's Heritage Cookbook (Paperback)

I originally purchased the book to help me teach my daughter how to cook some of the foods of our culter. After browsing the book, I found a recipe for Teacakes. My grandmother used to bake teacakes and I love them. I tried the recipe and I loved them.And what I really liked was that they remained soft, which my grandmothers didn't. I have also tried the recipe for the dirty rice and found it to be really good. I've tried many of the recipes and they are all really good.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE SOURCE for Traditional African-American Recipes, December 29, 1999

By 

Jessica (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The African-American Child's Heritage Cookbook (Paperback)

This book contains hundreds of recipes that are presented in a simple manner that even a child can understand. But the food tastes far from simple -- it's excellent! Included are recipes for staples such as coleslaw and chocolate cake, as well as traditional African, Creole, and Caribbean recipes, and much more. This book is definitely a great find.