Review by Booklist Review
Gr. 6^-8. Vezza recommends adult supervision for young people using her book, but junior-high kids who really know their way around the kitchen and understand about food-handling safety (Vezza doesn't explain this) can make many of these dishes on their own. Although the illustrations are decorative only, the directions are clear and concise, and there is a good balance between easy and more complicated fare, with Vezza rating each by difficulty. The 100 dishes are also nicely varied. Organized by region, they represent 12 areas, among them, Africa, Japan, Italy, Mexico, India, Russia, and Vietnam, and chapter headnotes add interesting insights into the culinary traditions of the region. Useful both at home and in school. --Stephanie Zvirin
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-8This international cookbook contains 100 recipes from Africa, the Caribbean, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Middle East, Russia, and Vietnam. Each place is introduced in a one-and-a-half-page explanation of the area's foods and eating habits. The recipes are rated at four levels of difficulty, and each one is put into context with an introductory sentence or two. They are clearly written and carefully chosen to represent the locale and the foods that are grown there; however, it is sometimes necessary to vary ingredients for American cooks, and sometimes prepared foods are used to simplify the recipe. Some of the "four utensils" directions are difficult indeed, involving frying in deep fat, whipping cream, dealing with fillo dough, filling seaweed for sushi, etc. Nevertheless, the dishes are good and are more or less authentic. For more thorough information about the food and cooking of individual countries, see the "Easy Menu" series (Lerner). The Kids' Around the World Cookbook (Kingfisher, 1994) by Deri Robins is easier. Passport is a good addition to a popular subject.Carolyn Jenks, First Parish Unitarian Church, Portland, ME (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Twelve countries and regions including Africa, France, Mexico, and Vietnam are placed in a culinary context by brief introductions followed by recipes rated for difficulty of preparation. All recipes require adult help and few are for the novice cook, child or adult (for example many adults will hesitate to work with the phyllo dough in German strudel or to make Chinese wontons). However, all the recipes promise cross-generational (as well as cross-cultural) enjoyment. Ind. From HORN BOOK 1997, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
