
Member Reviews

This one had so much potential!! The pictures are stunning and the bright colors definitely captivate not only the parent but children, as well. The biggest issues I have are that these are by far the”simple” recipes, my 7-year-old would maybe eat one or two of them at best and he definitely would not be able to assist me in making it in the ways that this book thinks they could. 😂 I was just hoping for a bit more of a simple approach with completely kid-friendly recipes. The organization and layout behind it all is really good though.

Definitely for ages 6-10 with some grownup help.
The ingredients are listed for easy reading, I would maybe say having the writing bigger would be good, so it all wasn't in on square/page and have more space between the steps - to make it easier for the younger ones to read/follow along. I do like that there are pictures of all the recipes that make them look like something a kid would like. At the beginning it goes into prepping, explaining some how to ____, and cooking terms of what they mean.
The pages a fun and colorful too with a range of recipes from easy meals to snacks and dips.

This is really cute and fun. I thought it would be fun to review a cookbook with my son, who is really becoming interested in helping in the kitchen. He is entering kindergarten in a couple of months and not quite reading, so this was of course a bit young for him independently, but we looked through the pictures and I helped read the information about kitchen safety, etc. The pictures are bright and fun, and he has chosen several recipes that we are going to be cooking in the coming weeks. I do have several kids cookbooks, and these recipes are a bit more elaborate than some (not all), so it definitely seems like something that would require a helper (as indicated) until about the teen years, but certainly something fun to do together, and there are some solid recipes that look good to me as an adult (of course, the most interesting ones for him were the desserts and sweet breakfast options). Thanks to NetGalley and Tommy Nelson for the ARC. All opinions mine (and my kiddos).

I love cookbooks that bring kids into the kitchen to help cook, and this is a great one to do just that. This book is for kids 6-10 years old. This helps kids have a say in what they eat and eat healthier. This book has plenty of great things to make with you kids from breakfast to dinner and maybe some after school snacks and don't forget dessert. This book walks through some kitchen safety, how to keep your workspace clean, and how to organize your ingredients and tools. It even shows how to make certain recipes gluten free. Grab the kids and pick a recipe to try today. It's never to early to get kids cooking with family.

My children really love to help in the kitchen, especially my oldest. He's at the age where he can read and understand a basic recipe on his own so he thoroughly enjoyed this cookbook. It's easy to follow but produces tasty recipes, and as we have a family member with celiac, I appreciate the gluten free adaptations that are included. Each recipe is accompanied by a photo of the final dish which I love. Definitely try the easy ketchup recipe!

In this modern age of internet recipes and YouTube food vloggers, I continue to hoard cookbooks like a dragon hoarding gold. Maybe it’s the nostalgia, the comfort of flipping to a page with my parents’ or grandparents’ handwriting scribbled in the margins. Whatever the reason, I love cookbooks (general, themed, seasonal, or specific to a type of cuisine) and I’m always on the hunt to grow my collection.
While I don’t have kids of my own, I do have nieces and nephews, and I aspire to be the cool aunt. This cookbook is colorful, playful, and filled with adorable illustrations. What really stood out to me is that it’s written for kids. The author speaks directly to the young chef, empowering them as the one in charge, while the adult plays the role of assistant or sous-chef. I appreciated the opening section that covers kitchen basics (how to measure wet vs. dry ingredients, kitchen safety, and other must-knows) making it accessible to kids and adults alike.
EVERY. RECIPE. HAS. A. PICTURE. I cannot overstate how important this is. I eat with my eyes first, and I’m exponentially more likely to try a recipe when I can see the end result. Photos not only spark excitement but also set expectations and help guide younger chefs through the process.
I love the thoughtful incorporation of vegetables and feel confident kids would be more excited to try something they helped make. And yes, I will be making the campfire oatmeal cookies...for research purposes, of course.
Thank you to NetGalley, Tommy Nelson, and Danielle Kartes for the privilege of receiving this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I love absolutely everything about this cookbook. It is written in a fun way to include parents and children. I can't wait to dive in and cook some of these recipes with my kids, and I'll do a full review on my instagram when I've been able to make a few of these delicious recipes and I'm looking forward to the bonding time with my kids!

I downloaded this book as my youngest son is really into cooking and baking at the moment. I sat down with my son to go through the book, he was very impressed by the layout, and all the colours used throughout the book. He mentioned everything was very simple and easy to understand and follow for an 8 year old.
I also enjoyed all the information at the beginning of the cookbook, it was very informative but also very simple and easy to understand for all ages.
Both my son and I were very impressed by the range of recipes and we definitely have taken note of more than a few to try at home.

With a child assistant, I cooked several recipes from the Kindle edition of Danielle Kartes’s The Best Kids Cookbook, including Hooray for Hummus, Quick Ketchup, Garlic Butter Broccoli, Just a Teensy Bit Spicy Carrots, and Steak Fries. We enjoyed the homemade ketchup and the bright lemony flavor of the hummus, and the spicy carrots reminded me of a side dish from a favorite hummus spot. However, the 6-minute cook time for the broccoli left it far softer than we prefer.
One of the strengths of this cookbook is that it isn’t overly focused on baking (a common but crowd-pleasing theme in kids’ cookbooks), and it includes a more diverse range of cuisines than many books in this category. I appreciated the approachable, from-scratch recipes, and the Kindle formatting was usable, though somewhat wonky.
Where this book struggles is in its intended audience. The whimsical recipe names and cartoon-style illustrations suggest it’s for very young children (under 5), but the text-heavy layout and lack of appealing visuals will fail to engage most toddlers or preschoolers. The food photography (brightly lit against saturated backdrops) tends to make the food look less appetizing than it tastes. At the same time, the tone of the writing, clearly directed at young cooks, may come across as overly cutesy or even cringeworthy to older kids.
The recipes themselves are also somewhat eclectic and may not appeal to picky eaters, and while I appreciate the personal touches, like the inclusion of Hamburger Gravy and Rice with its family backstory, many families might have more success teaching their own heritage comfort foods.
If you're cooking with a preschooler, even adult-oriented cookbooks like Carleigh Bodrug’s PlantYou might actually be more engaging, thanks to its clean layout, clear ingredient photos, and straightforward instructions. For preteens and teens, peer-written books like Fantastic Vegan Recipes for the Teen Cook or books like Sohla El-Waylly’s Start Here, which dives into cooking techniques and the science behind them, may be a better fit. And for kids who already read confidently and have adventurous tastes, there's really no need to limit them to “kids” cookbooks at all as most adult cookbooks will serve them just fine.
Note: I usually try recipes as written, but due to dietary restrictions, I made the following swaps: vegan butter for butter, agave syrup for honey, and vegan Worcestershire sauce for traditional Worcestershire.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tommy Nelson for providing an advance reading copy.

This is one of the most ambitious and successful children's cookbooks I've seen. It's thorough, intelligent, and allows kids to grow with the recipes as they grow in the kitchen.
The recipes span from breakfast to dessert, and has a variety of food from healthy to delicious junk- perfect for any young chef.
The first recipe we tried out was the strawberry and ham bagel because it looked wild! And it was. It so so delicious that it's instantly become a lunch box specialty.
The recipes are only in volume/imperial measurements, so it becomes difficult for an international audience to appreciate.

I’m always looking for cool books, especially simplified, because I’m terrible at it!! So as an adult, I think “the best kids cookbook” by Danielle karate’s is extremely useful for anyone on their cooking journey!

I just wanted to share how much I enjoyed The Best Kids Cookbook by Danielle Kartes. This book is absolutely delightful! From the moment I flipped through the pages, I was drawn in by the bold, bright colors and fun, engaging layout that’s clearly designed to capture a child’s attention.
What really stood out to me is how interactive and welcoming the book feels—it’s not just a collection of recipes, it’s an experience. It invites kids into the kitchen in such a thoughtful way, making cooking feel approachable, exciting, and collaborative. The family-friendly tone throughout creates the perfect atmosphere for bonding and memory-making.
This is a book I can see becoming a staple in our home, and I’ll definitely be purchasing a copy to enjoy with my own family. It’s the kind of cookbook that encourages not just great food, but joyful connection.
Thank you for sharing this with me!

This fun and practical cookbook is packed with over 60 kid-friendly recipes that children can make with a little adult supervision. It’s more than just a recipe collection—it’s a complete intro to the kitchen for young chefs who are eager to learn, experiment, and enjoy cooking.
The book starts with a warm and welcoming Introduction, followed by helpful sections that lay the foundation for kitchen success. These include Tips for Being a Good Cook and Baker, How to Use the Book, and an easy-to-understand guide to Recipe Symbols—like icons for gluten-free recipes, heat, skip it, and more.
A standout feature is the Starter Kitchen section, which goes beyond just cooking basics. It teaches essential kitchen skills like cleanliness, safety, organization, and preparation. Young cooks will also learn how to properly use cooking tools, measure ingredients, and understand the differences between the different utensils and cooking methods.
The book also includes helpful hacks, kitchen guidelines, and an easy-to-follow vocabulary section that demystifies common cooking terms. There's guidance on how to adapt recipes for gluten-free diets and how to swap ingredients to create different flavors or accommodate preferences and dietary needs.
Recipes are grouped into six exciting sections that cover everything from breakfasts, lunchbox ideas, dips and spreads, main dishes, and sides, to sweet treats. Each recipe includes the prep time, cook time, serving size, and relevant symbols. You'll find a list of supplies, ingredients, and step-by-step instructions that are easy to follow. Each recipe also features a fun tip or serving suggestion and a vibrant, mouth-watering photo of the finished dish that’s sure to inspire.
From well-loved classics like breakfast burritos and quick ketchup to creative recipes like Spicy Watermelon Fries and oven-fired chicken tendies, the variety is both satisfying and surprising. Many recipes are naturally gluten-free or come with simple adaptations—clearly noted beside the original ingredients.
All in all, this cookbook is a wonderful resource for children who enjoy helping in the kitchen or want to start cooking more independently—with a bit of guidance. It is engaging, and filled with delicious possibilities, making it an ideal pick for young food enthusiasts or a thoughtful gift for curious cooks-to-be.

I’m pleased to share below a link to the video review for this book. It will appear on my Amazon influencer page for the USA, Canada and the UK. Once approved by Amazon it should also appear on the product page if there is space in the video carousel, and one has been authorised for this product.
Thank you for this opportunity, I hope we can work together again soon.

Thank you NetGalley for this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
I read this kid’s book because sometimes you just want really simple recipes, but I’m not going to lie I was not a fan of all of the recipes.
Some were useful, the home made ketchup, the hummus, the sauces and dips.
But others like spicy watermelon, and strawberry ham bagel were not appetising to me.
But for kids I think this is a good book, simple, short and colorful with pictures to go with each recipe.

This was a very cute and fun cookbook for kids! When I was a kid, I would always check out the cookbooks from the school library and I feel like I would have really liked this one. It is very easy to follow and there are so many recipes to try. It was very well formatted too. Would recommend to a parent whose kid is beginning to show interest in cooking.

What a fun and colorful cookbook! I think kids will absolutely love these illustrated and easy-to-follow recipes.

Having kids ranging from High School age to PreK, we have a lot of kids' cookbooks in our house. This one, though, is by far the cutest and has some of the best recipes.
The characters in the book are adorable. They each have a purpose to describe something about the recipe. Also, the ability to make a majority of the recipes Gluten Free was awesome for our family, as we have a GF family member (me). The recipes, especially for the dinners, were fantastic. They were something adults would enjoy too. Pot Pies, Alfredo, Lasagna, and other options. The desserts also look amazing, those campfire cookies (drool).
I think this book would make a great gift for any elementary age kiddo who enjoys cooking. I also think that the recipes in the book might help some picky eaters cook new things, encouraging them to try something new.
The images are high quality, the pages and design are engaging. It's a really well done cookbook.

My kids are always wanting to help me cook and I’m always searching for good recipes that they can help with. This cookbook is full of recipes I can’t wait to have them help me with. There is a good variety of recipes and even though I haven’t tried any of them, there are definitely a few I bookmarked for future use. I loved the layout and imagery in this cookbook! I can’t wait to try to one out with my kids!

My soon to be seven year old has been showing interest in the kitchen so when I saw this cookbook, I knew I needed to check it out.
It’s written in a very easy, simple way that kids can understand. There are explanations for things that you need to do at some point in the kitchen that more experienced cooks probably don’t even think need explaining. To a kid, they have to start somewhere. There’s an explanation for how to crack an egg, grease a pan, how to prepare onions, etc. I typically buy minced garlic because buying a bulb and doing it myself seems intimidating but the explanation in this book makes me want to give it a go. The cookbook emphasizes safety which is super important for little chefs. A great glossary of terms you would see in a recipe. There were suggestions on substitutions for some ingredients if it’s not one a kid would like and other helpful tips.
The recipes were all ones that I thought sounded good and were a variety of difficulty level. Some of the ones that stood out to me were: FriYay Frittata with sausage and cheese, Gingerbread French Toast Sticks, Abraca Burger Cheesy Mac, Potato Wedge Nachos, Campfire Oatmeal Cookies and many others that would be a ton of fun to make. I will definitely be trying some of these out with my son.
Thank you to Net Galley and Tommy Nelson for the Arc of this cookbook.