Customer Reviews

New Junior Cook Book: 1955 Classic Edition (Better Homes & Gardens)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Someone gave me this cookbook when I was a child-yes, one of the original prints! I've kept it all these years for sentimental reasons and, also, we still like to use some of the recipes! The recipe for french toast is still used to this day! I remember trying out so many of the recipes and they're still hard to beat. I fully recommend this cookbook for "kids" of all ages. For mom's (and dad's,too!) this is a great way to involve the kids in cooking and baking. They can help read the directions and prepare the recipe, too! A great buy!

This re-issue of the 1955 classic is full of fun and tasty recipes that parents can use in an enjoyable and productive way to spend quality time with their children. These fun and simple recipes can also build confidence in young people when they learn they can create a variety of foods for themselves, their friends and their families. An excellent addition to every kitchen.

A fabulous book for the adult beginner cook, as well as for children. For those who collect cookbooks, as I do, especially vintage, this is definitely a title to add. The recipes are clear, concise, and easy to follow. The illustrations are pure 1950's Americana, and one could easily picure Beaver Cleaver learning to cook from this book. Comfort Food for the Cookbook lover!

I used to love poring over this book (and trying the simple but tasty recipes) when I was a kid back in the '80s. (My copy was inherited from my mom, who'd received it new when *she* was a kid back in the '50s.) I'm thrilled to see that it is still/back in print!

I am disappointed in this book and will not be using it at all. The product advertised says it's a ring-bound reprinted edition of the 1955 book. The book I received is not ringbound and is from 1965- not as new as I expected. Based on the other reviews I was expecting a cookbook with simple recipes for all meals that I could make with my 6 year old to serve to the family, or even give to my 19 year old who is just moving out and will need to learn to cook on her own. I was sorely disappointed. Every chapter whether it is breakfast, beverages, main meals or desserts are insanely sweet. It is definatly not geared to anyone out of preschool. I adore sweets and comfort food, so I was not expecting anything health-conscious, but these were over-the-top inedible. Examples are doughnuts cut in half the spread with peanut butter, doughnuts covered with marshmallow fluff then rolled in nuts, sweet rolls cut in half then toasted and buttered, abundant use of sprite and sherbert to make various drinks, canned spaghetti with canned vienna sausage added, pancakes with layers of cranberry sauce mixed with honey, "homemade" lemonade (frozen lemonade concentrate and water! really? I needed a book for this?)and more useless, unappetizing things. The only 2 recipes I would even consider eating were the hamburgers and hotdogs. The only upside is it is cute and vintage looking so if someone is a cookbook collecter they may appreciate on that level. I ended up giving it to my 6 year old to play "restaurant" with. A much better choice would be the Fanny Farmer Junior cookbook from 1957- It is written to the young new homemaker of the time (aimed at 18-20 year old set) - it is perfect for the young new cook, those with kids in the house- guarantee you these recipes are kid/teen pleasers, easy enough for a mom to make with a younger child, and every recipe is delicious real comfort food mde with real homemade ingredients- plenty of vegetables and main courses, not just sweets. It also teaches all the basics of cooking and how to plan a balanced meal. I would try to locate of copy of that instead.

UPDATE- Just purchased the New Fanny Farmer Junior Cookbook here on Amazon for an amazing price of less than $3.00- It is fabulous! Not only is it hardcover and absoltuely beautiful, but all the recipes are great- I got a second copy to give to my 19 year old who is just setting up house- Has some of the same recipes from the 1965 edition, but mostly it is all new up-to-date delicious eating. Lots of meat dishes, main dishes, vegetables and basic great desserts and beverages. The perfect cookbook for someone just starting out, or for someone like me- loves to bake and cook, but only simple economical real-food recipes that my whole family will eat- this is it! If you still enjoy old-school cooking like white sauces, tuna casseroles, etc (made with milk not cream so it can be reasonably healthy) then it is still worthwhile to get the 1965 edition also- for less than $3.00 each why not?

I think this is a very good beginning cookbook. The recipes are good and easy to make. I bought this for my 13 yr old granddaughter. I had this same cookbook when I was a young teenager and still have it to this day.