August's BOM: Handstand Kids Mexican Cookbook

Handstand Kids Mexican Cookbook
by Yvette Garfield
Illustrated by Kim DeRose
Recipes selected & developed by Cricket Azima

The LBBC’s recommendation for February’s Libro del Mes, is Yvette Garfield’s Handstand Kids Mexican Cookbook.

This is the first children’s bilingual cookbook that we have reviewed and we are completely enchanted by it. What better way to learn Spanish, than to center it around nuestra comida? The simple recipes in the book are not only delicious, but the fun activity of cooking together helps to reinforce family bonds and creates lasting memories.

The book itself is bright, colorful and thoughtfully arranged to engage the reader. My children were hooked at the beginning when the "Handstand Kids" introduce themselves with a brief description that even includes their birthday. And as we turned the pages, we were delighted that each recipe shows all the characters in various scenes related to cooking and eating. DeRose does an awesome job illustrating the book. Kids can easily connect with her animation-style artwork. She even does an incredible job of drawing the food details!

In addition, the beginning pages depict the utensils and ingredients used throughout the cookbook. Each item is accompanied by its name in both English and Spanish. This bilingual format is continued throughout the book as the Spanish words for ingredients are embedded in the instructions for each recipe.

The Handstand Kids company believes that food is a fun and hands-on way to learn about people and cultures around the world. I certainly agree! Recipes range from "Tacos Terríficos" to "Fiesta Corn", arroz con pollo to (of course) quesadillas. There is even a small section for desserts like Buñuelos and Wedding Cookies. ¡Que rico! All the recipes in the book are delicious. Most are simple enough for children ages 6 and up to make themselves, though a few require parental assistance. I also enjoyed the fact that each recipe includes an "alternative" section with ways to change up the recipe, encouraging its young readers to substitute their own favorite flavors. And mis niños enjoyed how each recipe also includes a quote by one of the Handstand Kids.

The company does a great job with the packaging as well. The Mexican Cookbook Kit comes inside a tortilla bag and includes a child-sized oven mitt. Readers can go on-line to HandstandKids.com and purchase the matching apron, chef hat, and award-winning kitchen mat, too. And if you just can’t get enough, the company also carries Chinese and Italian Cookbook Kits.

Parents and teachers will love this book. It is a great addition to any bilingual family’s library, and certainly one that will be used often. If you would like to buy your own copy of The Mexican Cookbook Kit, please click here. Or you can follow the link in our sidebar to the LBBC’s on-line store. We have both new and gently used copies available.