What's Cooking?
A whimsical read-aloud of delicious answers to ridiculous questions about what can -- and cannot -- be done in the kitchen!
Food critic and author Joshua David Stein tackles the world of cookery with his signature quirk and charm. From the practical ("Can I fry a scoop of gelato?") to the playful ("Do frozen peas grow on frozen trees?"), each vignette features an engaging question and a satisfying reveal, all revolving around the preparation of food. The simple yet sophisticated hand-drawings by Julia Rothman provide authenticity and a balance of seriousness to the silliness at hand. Incorporating humor, word play, logic and illogic, foreign foods, and even some cookbook vocabulary, this read-aloud book offers children facts to share and maybe even the impetus to get involved in the kitchen!
Ages 3-5
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Joshua David Stein frequently contributes to New York Magazine, The New York Times, The Sunday Times, and Eater as a food critic, and film and culture columnist. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two sons. He documents his misadventures in 140-characters-or-fewer on Twitter at @fakejoshstein.
Julia Rothman creates illustrations and pattern designs for newspapers, magazines, home goods, political campaigns, museums, and subway posters. She is part of the award-winning three-person design studio ALSO, runs the blog Book By Its Cover, and launched Women Who Draw, a directory of female illustrators. Julia lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.
"With colorful illustrations, the book tackles oddball cooking questions... Ensuring its place on many a holiday gift guide for the precocious young foodie set."--Eater
"Inspire a passion for cooking with food writer Joshua David Stein. Take you little one through the series of practical and playful Q&As on food preparation... and have a giggle at Julia Rothman's amusing hand-drawn illustrations."--Little London
"Delightful... Large, friendly writing illustrated with homely, jolly drawings... Introduces [children] to the world of food in a simple, fun way, and to get them engaged in food as a wider topic to be explored. One page even gives three different countries' names for dumplings, introducing children to the concept that food is something that unites cultures... A definite bonus is that there is also the opportunity to talk about who gets to do the washing up, too, and it's never too early to start with that!" --Optimum Nutrition
"A refreshing addition to the children's cooking category... Playfully worded... Achieves a balance between silly and serious."--Early Years Childcare Magazine
"This whimsical read tackles silly kitchen questions and culinary conundrums. Covering everything from ingredients to cooking techniques, What's Cooking? is a unique children's book for the budding foodie in your life... Full of interesting word play by author and food critic Joshua David Stein, and vibrant illustrations from Julia Rothman... A unique piece of literature that will keep little ones interested."--Cooking Light Online
"Stein and Rothman's books are humorous, thoughtful, colorful, and - most importantly - make food fun. Bon appétit!" --Let's Talk Picture Books
"This tongue-in-cheek book plays around with different concepts and word play surrounding food. It is fun to read and the design is outstanding." --Book Nerd Mommy
"[A] delicious book... A really fun way to look at meals and food."--Kiss the Book
"Full of interesting facts and philosophical food questions for kids. A truly delightful book."--Book Riot
"A great introduction to FOOD!"--Some the Wiser Blog
