cooking

New non-fiction: Cooking up a storm

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Here’s a great selection of cookbooks  for younger readers.

Cook it! 30 delicious recipes for scientists of all ages

This book is written by the “Punk Scientists”; three wacky guys who love science and cooking and try to bring the two together. All the recipes are easy, but look pretty delicious.  They’re mostly ‘classic’ recipes, like spaghetti and pizza and muffins, but there are some trickier recipes as well, like Baked Alaska and chicken casserole. But it’s not just a cookbook; there are plenty of science factoids that go along with the recipes, as well as some fun experiments in the back for you to try.

 

 

 

 

Christmas fairy cooking

Ok, so it’s a bit early for books about Christmas cooking. But this book is so adorable that I couldn’t resist including it here. It’s also filled with things you could make all year round. It’s mostly made up of sweet treats; my particular favourites are mini raspberry swirls and frosty fairy fudge.  None of the recipes are complicated, and all the ingredients are easily available. It’s also a lovely looking book, with a mixture of cute photos and illustrations in pastels.

 

 

 

 

Princess Poppy’s Cookbook

Princess Poppy is a popular series of picture books in our collection. Now Poppy and her friends will show you how to cook all sorts of delectable treats, both sweet and savory.The recipes are divided by occasion, rather than by meal type, but it’s pretty easy to find what you’re looking for. The illustrations are really cute, as they’re done in the same style as the picture books. There’s also a wide range of food to make; the sticky sausages and Daisy’s Fruity Banana split sound really good! And while you’re waiting for your food to cook, you can whip up one of the adorable craft projects that are also included.

 

 

 

One world kids’ cookbook

If it’s your turn to cook  dinner and you want something out of the ordinary, then you should turn to this cookbook.  It promises “easy and healthy” meals from around the world, and it delivers! There’s a section of information about each country, and then a typical national dish.  New Zealand even features, with a yummy kumura recipe. I think what makes this book really unique is the variety of the different countries mentioned; try Jolof Rice from Ghana or salmon stew from Brazil.

 

 

New Non Fiction: Ready, Steady, Cook!

Katie

Almost two-thirds of the winter has now gone!  We have had cold and nasty periods of gale winds, hail, snow, rain and storms in the Capital. So now that the school holidays have started, why not come in from the cold and check out Wellington City Libraries’  new range of cooking and baking non fiction in the Children’s collection for your enjoyment and pleasure.

Our new range of cookbooks contains information on how to make an assortment of savories and sweets for ideal for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks parties, and high tea. Also included are ideas on how to make Italian dishes, Kiwiana themed cupcakes, Narnian themed food and meals that meet the nutritional guidelines  of healthy eating.

Fancy some Italian…

The Silver Spoon for Children.

Fancy some Italian this winter? This delightful book holds 40 Italian recipes adapted from The Silver Spoon by a specially commissioned expert on children’s food and nutrition. The recipes have been chosen for their simple instructions, fresh and healthy ingredients and delicious flavor, and are guaranteed to appeal to the fussiest of children, so parents can rest easy knowing that their children will be eating healthily. You will learn how to make your own pizza, spaghetti and ice cream. Every step is described and illustrated to make the recipes easy to follow and there are photographs so that you can see what the finished dishes are suppose to look like.

 

 

Take a trip back to Narnia…

The Unofficial Narnia Cookbook.

We all know the series (and the movies). Have you ever wished you could travel through the wardrobe and simply taste some of the wondrous food featured? With The Unofficial Narnia Cookbook, you can recreate the delicious meals from Narnia in the comfort of your own home without worrying about the White Witch or epic battles. Menus include more than 150 easy-to-make recipes for breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner, and of course dessert. Relive the magical and glorious world of Narnia as you cook your way through foods so good, you’ll think Aslan delivered them himself.

If you’re visiting your local library, you might also want check out the books and the DVDs.

Books: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair, The Horse and his boy, The Magician’s Nephew and The Last Battle.

DVDs (BBC): The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and The Silver Chair

DVDs (Motion Picture): The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

 

Simple, easy (and healthy recipes) for kids…

4 Ingredients Kids.

This is a cookbook that all health conscious parents should read (or perhaps own.) 4 Ingredients Kids is loaded with healthy and fun recipes that will encourage kids to eat healthily without spending a fortune nor taking hours to make. I was very impressed with how the author, Kim McCosker has come up with imaginative themed recipes for children, like Volcanic eggs, grape wands  and Cinderella’s pumpkin soup that makes meal times fun and enjoyable. I also liked the idea for creating butterfly themed snack bags, (see the recipe for Play Date Buddies.)

 

 

Cookbooks by Sabrina Parrini.

Little Kitchen.

In the mood for quick after-school snacks, impressive dinners and sweet desserts. Then look no further. Little Kitchen is a beautifully designed and photographed collection of forty recipes for children aged six years and up. With clear, step-by-step instructions, each recipe will teach you how to make all the tasty treats you long to  eat and when to ask a grownup for help. Included are recipes for: Little Egg and Bacon Breakfast Pies, Minestrone, Yummy Mini Burgers, Meatballs, Tutti Frutti Salad, Gingerbread Snowflakes, and more! Yum!

 

 

Half-Hour Hungries.

Got the munchies? Want an easy meal in less than 30 minutes? Then Half-hour Hungries is the book for you! This book contains information on 36 awesome dishes for kids to make when the time is short, like Nacho-flavoured popcorn, Sloppy Joes and Croque Monsieur that are bound to satisfy rumbling tummies.

 

 

 

 

Celebrating Kiwiana…

Party Food for Girls.

Sugar and spice and all things nice. That’s what little girls are made of. And this book goes to show that the proof is definitely in the pudding. (No pun intended)  Written by Italian-born, New Zealand based food writer and travel journalist, Alessandra Zecchini, Party Food for Girls is perfect for girls who want to create scrumptious sweet treats, like teapot biscuits, and healthy snacks, like lavash salad rolls for birthday parties and high tea events.

 

 

 

Kiwiana Cupcakes, Cake Pops and Whoopie Pies.

“Kirsten Day does cupcakes, cake pops and whoopie pies Kiwiana-style, creating delectable treats to celebrate our Kiwi culture. In full colour with never-fail recipes, tips and hints, advice on Kiwiana styling and variations on design.” – Publisher information. Day’s take on Kiwiana styling of cupcakes is fantastic, especially with the Chocolate Kiwi, Chocolate Kiwifruit, Tomato sauce bottle and even Fish and Chips themed cupcakes. This book puts all cupcake recipes you know and heard of to shame.

 

New Non Fiction: Homework Help, Sweet treats for winter and Boredom Busters!

Katie

One Day: Around the world in 24 hours.

This is a beautifully illustrated book that gives children an introduction to the idea of time and time zones. This book follows the story of 15 different children around the world and the time zones they live in throughout one day. There are 24 hours in a day, so there are 24 time zones. Discover and learn all about time zones around the world, how they work and what’s happening on one side of the world while the other side sleeps. This book is a great resource for homework help and assignments on time zones around the world.

 

 

Transport.

For anyone who wants to study and explore the history of cars, bicycles, scooters, trains and even an oil tanker, this is the book you must read! So hop on board and take an express journey through every vehicle and travel known to man and how each engineering milestone has changed and  transformed world history. This book is a great resource for homework help and assignments on the history of transport, vehicles and even a section on the history of the wheel.

 

 

 

A troop of chimpanzees, and other primate groups.

How do chimpanzees use tools? Why do chimpanzees groom each other? What does it mean when one chimpanzee grins at another? Find out all the answers to these questions and more by reading this book on chimpanzees and primates. You will also discover and get to explores the behaviors and daily life of a chimpanzee troop, as well as their habitat, environmental threats, and the advantages of group living.  Great for children of  Primary and Intermediate school age.

 

 

 

 

Explorer Tales.

This is a great series to read if you are interested in finding information about famous landmarks and destinations. These are great homework resources to use for projects on world exploration. This year marks the 60th anniversary of  Sir Edmund Hillary and  Sherpa Tenzing Norgay climbing to the  Mount Everest, why not have a read of one of the books from the series, Mount Everest. Reread and relive how Hillary and Tenzing being the first men to climb one of the most dangerous places to explore. How about exploring New Worlds? Read all about them in New Worlds, where you will read and learn all about famous first voyages to new and undiscovered lands and famous explorers like Christopher Columbus, Marco Polo and Captain James Cook. In South Pole, readers don’t just learn about this cold and dangerous location. They also learn about the explorers who went to great lengths to discover it! I think you will also like reading all about The Amazon, which is home to many amazing plants, animals (Jaguars that wait ready to pounce and piranha fish fish that strip the flesh off your bones in five minutes – Wow!) and land forms that runs over 6,000 kilometers across South America. You will also read stories about people who have explored and survived in the Amazon.

       

 

 

 

100 yummy things to cook and eat.

With winter around the corner, why not make some tasty treats and  goodies to share with your friends and family, like a good old fashioned apple crumble?, a spicy bean soup or vegetable casserole?  You will find the recipes and more in this book. This cook book, published by Usborne has 100 yummy sweet and savory recipes to choose from for some good old comfort food during the cold, blizzardy days and nights. There are also a lot of fantastic baking ideas for school fairs and gifts. I liked the recipes for Oranges and Lemons and Chocolate dipped fruit. I am fan of the recipes for Marzipan toadstools and chocolate nests. This is a book that can be enjoyed by both children, parents and adults.

 

Look inside a burrow.

This is a great picture book for young children (or for parents and teachers to read to children) about creatures that interact within burrow habitats. You will read and learn about all the different types of burrows. (I must confess I wasn’t aware there was more than one type of burrow.) Lots of amazing pictures of various types of animals that live in burrows, including a photo of a toad flicking its tongue, a close up of ants carrying food back to its nest and an even bigger close up of a centipede’s face!

 

 

The Usborne Big Book of Holiday Things to make and do.

School holidays may be a while away, but still now is the time to think ahead of ideas of banishing boredom in the long school holidays. How about reading this book from the Usborne Activities series? You are bound to find ideas for  seasonal activities for each holiday, such as reindeer wrapping paper and an Easter egg card, sit alongside things to make and do all year round including a coral necklace, a pirate cutlass and fairy wings. You will find  easy to follow step-by-step instructions and photos for each activity. Great book to use for gift ideas .

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Non-Fiction : Big Books of interesting facts and things to do

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Star Trek : The Visual Dictionary

Like it says on the cover, this really is the ultimate guide to characters, aliens and technology of Star Trek.  It’s almost been 50 years since Star Trek first appeared on television, so there’s a lot to include! It doesn’t look at the more recent movies, but for all the old school tv series and movies, you can’t beat this book.

 

 

 

 

 

Houses of long ago

This has to be one of the coolest books we have in the library.  It’s got gorgeous pictures of different houses through history; from the Chinese courtyard house to the medieval English manor. Each picture of the house has small flaps you can lift to see inside the houses and learn all sorts of interesting facts about how people lived in the past.

 

 

 

 

Cook it step by step

With over 100 recipes, this is a pretty extensive cook book that could teach you how to make pretty much anything. There are lots of pictures that take you through each recipe, and there’s some great information on basic cooking techniques as well.  It’s a great book for a beginner cook, but there’s plenty healthy, delicious recipes in here that anyone could make.

 

 

 

 

The Great Big Book of Feelings

What do you do when you feel jealous? What things make you sad? What do you do when you feel satisfied? This book doesn’t have all the answers, but it will make you think about the hows and whys of your feelings and what to do when they cause you trouble.

 

 

 

 

 

RHS Garden Projects : loads of fun things to do and make in the garden

If the weather holds up, there’s plenty here to keep you entertained in your backyard. Or you could keep them in mind for the warmer weather. At any rate, this is a fantastic book full of awesome projects.  They’re divided into three sections: “make it”, “cook it”, and “create it.” There’s plenty of instructions on when to make the projects, as well. My favourite project is making a fairy ring for your garden…just ask your Mum or Dad first!

 

 


The Big book of Big machines

If you’re a nut about all sorts of movers, diggers, flyers and cars then this is an excellent choice.  It’s got lots of fold out pages, so you can appreciate just how big these machines are. It doesn’t go into much detail about exactly how these machines work, but there’s enough information to give you a pretty much basic understanding of what the biggest machines are and what they do.

 

 

 

 

 

Animal diaries: Tyrannosaurus Rex

This is an unusual book that’s told from the perspective of a Tyrannosaurus Rex who hatches from an egg shortly before the end of the dinosaurs.  The reader stays with him as he grows up, and learns all about how young t-rex dinosaurs learn to hunt, how they live in their family groups, and all the other creatures they would have interacted with. Which were not necessarily dinosaurs and not necessarily food! It also looks at what survived after the meteorite and why. If you find the mighty meat eater a bit much, there’s also a really cool book from the same series told from the point of view of an elephant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mother’s Day

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Hey kids – have you been practicing making breakfast in bed?

Mother’s Day is this Sunday – May 12th, and I’m pretty sure Mum would love to be surprised with a yummy breakfast to start the day -this is a tradition for Mother’s Day in New Zealand along with giving cards and gifts.

Modern-day Mother’s day started in 1908 in West Virginia (USA) by a woman called Anna Jarvis. Previous attempts at getting a formal Mother’s Day celebration recognised in the 1800s had failed, but Anna was successful in having it recognised as an official holiday in the USA in 1914.

As this American holiday was adopted by other countries and cultures around the world, the date was changed to fit other celebrations that honor motherhood. That’s why different countries celebrate Mother’s Day on different dates. The second Sunday in May is when New Zealand celebrates Mother’s day, along with 81 other countries. Other popular days that countries celebrate Mother’s Day are March 8th, March 21st and the last Sunday in May.

Wikipedia has a great article about Mother’s day. Check it out for more info.

We also have some great books about Mother’s Day:

Want to make mum a present? Try these crafty books for some ideas:

Don’t forget the breakfast in bed! Here are some favourite cooking books for you to get some inspiration and recipes from:

Amazing things to make – New non-fiction

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Little Cakes and cookies to bake

According to the author “little cakes are easier to make than big cakes, because you are handling smaller quantities.” This makes the book perfect for the beginner baker. All the recipes have great illustrations  that take you through the stages of baking step by step. There are lots of different yummy recipes to try, and they’re all a bit different to what you might find in your average baking book! A mouthwatering read for all the aspiring bakers.

 

 

 

Half-Hour hungries

For something a little more substantial, you might want to check this awesome book. Its focus is on dishes that are quick, healthy and tasty.  Whip up a Knickerbocker  Glory,  chicken satay skewers, nacho flavoured popcorn or a Mont Blanc. All these sound complicated and fancy , but the recipes are easy to follow. There are plenty of delicious choices, and perhaps after you see how simple everything is to make, you’ll never want to eat take out again.

 

 

 

Have fun with Arts and Crafts: animals

Winter is coming and so is the rainy weather. Beat the ‘stuck-inside-on-a-weekend-blues’ with these great craft projects. My favourite projects are the bendy monkeys made from pipe cleaners and pompoms, and the cute cake-pop piglets! You can make most of these projects with things you’ll probably already have around the house, so you won’t have to brave the rain to head out for crafting supplies. They’re fun and easy projects and you probably won’t need an adult hanging over your shoulder, interrupting your crafting time.

 

 

 

Tricks: rad stunts and sneaky pranks

This book is aimed at kids but any adult would be proud to know some of these tricks.  But ‘tricks’ doesn’t quite do the book justice; there’s plenty of skills and things to make.  These range from the simple (walk on your hands!) to the complex (booby trap a bathroom).  There are also some great pranks. Something fun to fill up your days when the weather turns.

 

 

 

Print it!

Bored with your wardrobe or your decor? How about customising a boring t-shirt with a rainbow print of your favourite animal? Or making some personalised stationary. The rainbow sneakers are awesome, too! This is a great book for beginner crafters, but make sure you put plenty of paper down before you rip into the paint.

 

 

 

 

 

The Lego adventure book

A must read for any Lego fanatic, this book will take you through different and amazing ways to make Lego models.  This book is made from the contributions of the best Lego builders in the world, and it really shows! No matter your favourite setting -Steampunk, medieval or science fiction- there’s something cool for you to make.  The builder also talks about how they come up with their ideas and share a few techniques for you to use in your own building.

New Non Fiction for 2013: Things to do, Things to eat and some things that are just plain weird.

Katie

The Kids’ Guide to Projects Four Your Pet.

Did you know that creating something for your pet is a great way to show how much you care about it. If you are stuck on ideas, then this book will give you a range of ideas with step by step instructions show how to make simple projects for pets from toys for your cats, clothes for your dogs, a fun house for your hamsters and  liver treats for your cat or dog. You are sure to find something for your fury, feathery or even scaly friend.

 

 

 

 

Poo! A History of the World from the Bottom Up.

How many toilets were there in the average Egyptian pyramid? Did lead pipes cause the fall of the Roman Empire? How did a knight over 20 kilograms of armour go to the loo? How do astronauts wee and poo in space?  Find out all the answers to these questions in this new and exciting read that the School Library Journal rates as the “number one book on number two”. This book provides  everything you have ever wanted to know about the history of poo, as well as hygiene and sanitation throughout history in times of Ancient Greece, Rome, Middle ages, renaissance and the Victorian Era. Also check out Poop Happened! A History of the world from the Bottom Up!

 

Tractors and trucks.

The ideal arts and crafts book for boys that allows them to get creative with fun tractor and track activities. Complete with brilliant step by step photographs and templates to make a digger picture with moving parts, a tanker, tire track pictures, a tractor cab and lots lots more, this is one book and activity idea that can keep boys busy throughout the school holidays.

 

 

 

 


Incredible Edibles.

Love food and science? Looking for a book on mad recipes, crazy experiments, kitchen science projects and weird food stories that will shock and perhaps gross you out? Look no further, here is the book for you. Stefan Gates’s book takes you on an adventure of the amazing, weird and perhaps gross facts about food.  You will also find out answers to questions like what is the most dangerous food on earth, how do you milk a cow and perhaps the mother of all food recipes: how to make your own cola.

 

 

The Garden Cook: Grow, Cook and Eat with Kids.

Move over, Annabel Langbein, there’s a new chef in town! Former Masterchef Australia contestant and teacher, Fiona Inglis has written this excellent book that draws on her real-life experience of working with primary school-aged children. You will find information that covers all aspects of cooking and gardening, including plenty of helpful advice and recipes. The book is written in simple, clear language, is beautifully illustrated and is guaranteed to appeal to all young cooks and gardeners (and to inspire their parents).

 

Yummy Christmas Treats

debbie

I love cooking up yummy treats to have at Christmas. There are lots of ideas and recipes that you can try.

Why not start with some cupcakes. You can decorate them in lots of difference ways. You might like to check out these recipes to create reindeer, snowman, Christmas trees and even a Christmas pudding.

Perhaps you might like to make biscuits to hang on the Christmas tree. You could have fun creating different shapes. Maybe a square that you can decorate to look like a present, a tree shape or a star. Have a look at these recipes to give you ideas on what you can create.

Don’t forget that you can make wonderful edible gifts for your family and friends as well so get baking.

 

Exploring new borders: New non-fiction

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What is contemporary art?

Read this book and parents dragging you along to an art gallery will never be boring again. In fact, if you read this book, you might end up knowing more than your olds! This book takes you through different types of contemporary artist and what they use, which is everything from crushed cars to rocks to eggshells. Of course, painting is also featured but not in any way you might have seen before. It goes without saying that this book has great pictures of all the art works, and next time you go to an art gallery, you’ll look at things in a whole new way.

 

 

 

Great Britain: everything you ever wanted to know

Despite it’s title, this book doesn’t cover the great battles, powerful monarchs or mighty castles of British history. Instead it covers all the ‘cool’ bits of British culture; tea, James Bond and Nessie. It’s also got great information on mainstays of life and history in Britain, such as the ‘great’ schools such as Eton and Harrow, eccentric aristocrats and the Beatles.  This is not your average history book, but a fun read if you happen to be  interested in what makes Old Blighty so unique. There library also has two other books in this series, on China and on Australia.

 

 

The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia

This book is an excellent reference for those interested in history. It covers human history from 4000 BCE to the present, and at almost 500 pages, you wouldn’t want to read it all at once! Instead, use it as a ‘jumping off’ point for when you’ve got a homework assignment on the Thirty Years War or The Boxer Rebellion. You’ll learn who, what, where, why and how…and then use these references to find more information! Despite being crammed full of facts, this book is hardly dry reading. There are plenty of interesting photographs and illustrations to go along with the text.

 

 

 

My cookbook of Cakes

Want to bake delicious cakes but too scared? This book is perfect. Its recipes are simple but delicious, and there are plenty of cakes to choose from. Whether you prefer rose petal cupcakes, a zesty orange drizzle cake or berry and vanilla cheesecake, you’ll find all your tastes catered for. And don’t worry, chocoholics, there’s plenty of recipes for you, too. Every step is illustrated with cool pictures, so this is a great book for beginner bakers.

 

 

 

 

Ninjago masters of Spinjitzu : character encyclopedia

Lego fan? Check out this cool new character encyclopedia about the heroes and villains of the Lego series Ninjago, which features four young ninjas training hard to defeat various monsters. It will tell you all about each character and the changes they go through as the series progresses. It also goes into great detail about the figures themselves; how they change from series to series, in both appearance and personality. This is a must read for any Ninjago or Lego Fan!

 

 

 

Five minute faces and Wild faces

If you’ve got a Christmas party coming up, and are looking for costume ideas, these books are a great resource. They’ll teach you all the basic skills of face painting, how to run a stall and how to create basic accessories to improve your costume.  The first book, Five Minute Faces, has a whole range of different faces; Miss Muppet, pirate, joker, skull and jester to name a few. The faces in the second book, Wild Faces, focuses more on animal faces and the make up’s more complex.  But if you want to win first place with your tiger costume, this is the book for you!

 

 

 

Make an animation

If you want to be the next Walt Disney, this is the book for you! It talks about the different types of animation, such as traditional hand-drawn animation to stop-motion animation made from ‘found’ objects. It will also show you how to make storyboards and shoot your own masterpieces.

Food for thought: New non-fiction

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Junior Gourmet: amazing recipes from around the world

Imaging impressing your friends and Mum and Dad with dishes like vegetable moussaka or crepes with strawberries! Ok, you might need some help with the cooking and chopping, but the recipes themselves are pretty straightforward. It’s full of amazing pictures of mouthwatering food, divided into recipes by country.  You learn a little bit about the country and its food and then you can get straight on to cooking! It’s probably not the book for you if you’ve never cooked anything before, but if you’ve got more experience, this book will taking your kitchen skills and your tastebuds to the next level.

 

 

Cooking for kids with allergies

If you’re gluten intolerant, dairy free or allergic to nuts (or all of the above) don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten you! This cookbook is filled with delicious things to eat that won’t trigger your allergies.  A lot of the recipes can be served to those with more than one allergy; for example, the lemon tarts are both nut-free and gluten-free! Everything looks tasty and healthy, and there’s some good information about how to deal with your allergies.

 

 

 

Joe-Joe the Wizard brews up solids, liquids and gasses

Joe-Joe the wizard is brewing up something quite different in this science book. When he tries to turn his homework into chocolate (and fails) his science teacher uses this to teach him about different states of matter. A cross between a picture book and a science book, this would be useful to explain basic scientific concepts to younger readers .

 

 

 

Island: A story of the Galápagos Islands

This is another book that’s part picture book , part non-fiction book. It tells the story of the Galápagos Islands, from six million years ago, when a volcano erupted,  starting off the environmental changes which would make the Galápagos  Islands such a unique place full of amazing creatures.  It also talks clearly about the process of evolution; over the generations finches, for example, end up changing to suit the harsh environment of the Islands. The illustrations are beautiful and all the information is set out clearly.  Another book that’s great for you if you’re just starting to learn about science.

 

 

Super Nature

This is a big book that will help you out if you ever need to know what the smallest carnivorous mammal  is  (Least Weasel) or the heaviest insect (our own Little Barrier Giant Weta.) It also has information about more obscure  if no less awesome creatures, such as the Bombardier Beetle, which defends itself by spraying its attacker with boiling liquid projected from its rear end. This book is all about the extremes in the animal world.

 

 

 

 You are Stardust

“You are stardust,” this book begins, “Every tiny atom in your body came from a star that exploded long before you were born.” This beautiful book is part science, part philosophy and part story. It’s told in simple language, but that doesn’t mean its message is any less powerful.