"Who doesn't love a birthday? With a birthday, of course, comes lots of food. The book beings with a one-pages "chapter" about birthdays and ends with another one-page chapter that links (somewhat incongruously) planning birthday parties to even planning as a career. Sandwiched in between are several very simple recipes that will doubtless fire the imagination of young children and already excited to start celebrating. Most recipes double as party activities, although some can be made in advance. Children as young as preschoolers can make many of the recipes largely on their own. That is because, though a cookbook, it features foods that tend to favor assembly over cooking—for example, trail mix, fruit "critter" kebobs, and cookie-cutter sandwiches. Children will enjoy this volume from the Holiday Recipe Box series (6 titles)."
"Talk about shelf appeal—these five-recipe cookbooks are unmissable, in blazingly bright colors, accompanied by digital animation-style cartoons, and chock-full of sweet treats and gimmicky dishes. Kids can contribute to holiday meals or plan a themed party, from a snack (Pickle Eyeballs, Halloween) to a striking main dish (Fireworks Pizza, Independence Day). An alarming Frito pie/pizza/seven-layer dip hybrid (Gobble Taco Pizza) has the makings of a truly memorable Thanksgiving appetizer. Most recipes rely on assembly and decoration skills, but the heavy use of semi-prepared and pre-made ingredients such as mixes, crusts, and marshmallow fluff means that results will taste fine regardless of appearance. - VERDICT High-interest recipes for kitchen beginners."
