Honest Pretzels: And 64 Other Amazing Recipes for Kids (Hardcover)

~ (Author, Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Ever separate an egg with a funnel? Ever make a grilled cheese and broccoli sandwich? Ever follow your kids into the kitchen and help them with recipes they have chosen to prepare?

Mollie Katzen makes all this and more ever so painless. She wrote Pretend Soup for preschool cooks after working with young kids in a preschool setting. Honest Pretzels is the next step. These are more advanced recipes demanding more advanced techniques for children ages 8 and up. It's a kid's cookbook for a more sophisticated palate--those ready for Not-from-a-Box Macaroni and Cheese or Spunky Chili. All the recipes in the book are vegetarian.

Typically, each recipe is introduced with a list of ingredients, the amount of time it's going to take, a list of tools, and a note about where a child might want to ask an adult for help. The actual directions are broken out into separate "cards," many of them illustrated. At no time and in no place is the language patronizing.

Skills your child will develop include making and handling yeasted dough; making filled, shaped, healthy pastries; slicing, mincing, and grating; seasoning with herbs and spices; sautéing, pureeing, measuring, layering, assembling; dividing, estimating, timing, deciding; separating eggs, beating egg whites, folding a puffy batter; making simple, standard sauces; and basic kitchen safety and common sense.

That's quite a list. How did you measure up when you were 8--let alone now? Here's a good chance to give your child a leg up in the kitchen, while staying out of the way. --Schuyler Ingle

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-6 Honest pretzels " are way more interesting than the store-bought kind: They're chewy on the outside, and soft and tender on the inside and you get to make them any shape you want!" This sentence describes one of 65 vegetarian recipes offered in this inviting anthology of breakfast dishes, soups, sandwiches, salads, main dishes, desserts, baked goods, snacks, and drinks. Katzen provides an introduction to each dish and includes background information, safety tips, and an occasional quote. Lists of the ingredients and utensils needed, written and visual instructions, and recommendations about when to ask for adult assistance accompany each recipe. The author's intent is that children participate in the cooking process; enjoy their accomplishments; and learn bits of math, science, and something about cooperation along the way. The nourishing recipes are clearly presented in an encouraging tone, making this a fine addition to most collections. Carolyn Jenks, First Parish Unitarian Church, Portland, ME
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 177 pages
• Publisher: Tricycle Press (March 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883672880
• ISBN-13: 978-1883672881
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #450,875 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An honest cookbook, August 25, 2003

By	wiredweird "wiredweird" (Earth, or somewhere nearby) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

It was pretty frustrating looking for a kids' cookbook for my nephew. After looking at a few, I had seen about eight recipes for peanut butter on celery, and not a lot else.

Then I found this book. I agree with its premise, that children are not all idiots. This is the only book I found treats the young reader with respect. It's about real food, the kind that has a place at the supper table.

My nephew knew the difference, too. We made a few of the recipes, and had to scold his mother for eating too many of the cupcakes.

Most telling, his grandparents visited the week after I gave him the book. He insisted on making breakfast for them - pancakes from this book - by himself. They were impressed, and so was I when I heard about it. Not bad for age 7.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Recipes & Fun Times, April 9, 2000

By A Customer

My 9-year-old daughter and I love this cookbook! Here's the review in her words: The recipes are outstanding and not one has gone wrong. The instructions are easy to read and to understand and her writing style is nice (for kids and adults). My mom likes the recipes because they're pretty healthy. My favorite recipe is Spaghetti Pie - I've made it a few times and it's always great. I also like the Little Pizzas and the Pita Spirals (that we make with tortillas). This is a great book and every family should have it.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Fun-, December 25, 2000

By	drariadne (Earth) - See all my reviews

I decided to have my son (5) help with the cooking. Each week I let him choose one recipe from this (or Pretend Soup) and we cook together. He is eating much better, has learned a few kitchen skills, and tried new dishes. Her pictures are easy for even the younger kids to understand, but adults will still have to help with these recipes for the little ones. We now make pizza from scratch, and have more fun in the kitchen than we ever did before.