Chicks & Salsas - and Kallaloo!

By JULIETTE ROSSANT Super Chef takes a look at two picture books with recipes. Get your little kids excited about reading, food, and cooking all at the same time. Chicks and Salsa (Bloomsbury 2005) by Aaron Reynolds with illustrations by Paulette Bogan proves that not only humans get bored with the same old thing. The animals at the Nuthatcher farm are bored with their usual feed and the rooster leads the way to spicing up their diet. He watches cooking shows with the farmer's wife and leads the chickens into the garden to pick tomatoes and onions. That night, the chickens ate chip s and salsa – though nobody was quite certain where the chickens got the chips. The answer is in the picture -- we won't give it away. After the chickens, the ducks, pigs and other farm animals turn to different tempting Mexican dishes. Even the farmer and his wife get into the act. Best of all, after reading the book, kids can check out the recipes and make their own. The recipes are part of the story. Hog Wild Nachos reads, "Wipe telltale hoofprints off microwave door." Make sure you have avocados and chips on hand before you read this one to your kids. The stones in Stone Soup don't speak to the French soldiers, but the secret to Kallaloo! (Marshall Cavendish 2005) by David and Phillis Gershator, is a talking sea shell that speaks to Granny. It is the answer to her satisfying her hunger. The shell whispers to Granny and all the market vendors donate what she needs to make a pot of Kallaloo soup. At the end of reading this book, you'll find children hungry for her soup. There is a recipe at the end for Kalaloo (St. Thomas Style). What makes this a spirited read is the fun illustrations by Diane Greenseid who captures the green water, colorful clothes, birds, plants and movement of the Caribean. Previous articles: [Kids' Reviews - complete] Technorati Tags: superchefblog, Juliette Rossant, super chef, celebrities, chefs, food, restaurants, cooking, branding, cuisine, blogging, food blogging, cookbooks, cookbook reviews, kids' books, children's books --> back to Super Chef