October 1, 2009
Gr 2-5-Beery offers 30 recipes divided into four sections: "Sweet Treats," "Cookies and Cakes," "Savory Bites," and "Dazzling Drinks." As the title indicates, the focus is on three things that many little girls like: sweets, ponies, and the color pink. Unfortunately, the appeal of this glossy but flawed book stops there. Some of the dishes sound scrumptious, like "Pastel Pony Treat" and "Little Ponytail Puffs." However, the lack of any type of warning about adult guidance will limit the book's usefulness. Recipes require, for example, baking in hot ovens, chopping and coring apples (presumably with sharp knives), and mixing a Sunbeam Smoothie in a blender, all potentially dangerous for unsupervised children. Nutrition information for the recipes is not included, which may be a good thing since many rely on such ingredients as cans of frosting and packaged candies. If you're looking for a cookbook that your more feminine patrons will like, try Julia Monroe's "Tiny Treats" (Pleasant Co., 2006)."Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL"
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