Grandpa's cloudy with a chance of meatballs cookbook

K-Gr 3- Having fun is the order of the day in these recipes inspired by the classic picture book; there are no pretentious foodies here. The book begins with a letter from Grandpa to Henry and Kate, explaining that he put together this collection from Chewandswallow. Following the introduction, a list of rules and tools includes reminders that pots and stoves get hot, to wash hands, to review all directions carefully before cooking.The table of contents is nontraditional yet kid-friendly with cartoon images of the dishes, arranged from breakfast through dessert. The excellent illustrations are bright and entertaining with tons of child appeal. Photo of the finished products are included. The recipes are basic with clear instructions-toast, English-muffin pizzas-but they have clever names and they're presented creatively. Most kids are not likely to eat steamed broccoli dressed in only lemon juice and olive oil just because it's called Broccoli Tree Salad, but the rest of the vegetable section has perennial kid-friendly dishes: French Un-Fries and Snowy Mashed Potatoes with Sunrise, for example. There are some recipes that do not require cooking, such as Cheese-and-Tomato Superhero, but the majority do require the stove. Overall, this is an amusing, approachable introduction to cooking.-Laura Lutz, Pratt Institute, New York City (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Old and new fans of the classic tale of food delivered three times a day by the weather can tie on an apron, sharpen their culinary skills and dig in to 25 recipes inspired by the beloved book. The Barretts team up once again to serve kid-friendly fare--to make and eat. A letter from Grandpa to Henry and Kate opens the book, and their reply brings the spiral-bound title to a close. Within, budding chefs will find some standard kids'-cookbook fare after a helpful list of "Grandpa's Rules and Tools." Pancakes, fried eggs, open-faced grilled-cheese sandwiches and mashed potatoes are often given clever names but are essentially basic items on the average American menu ("Noodlehead Noodles" = mac 'n' cheese, for instance). Each spread features a cartoonish illustration of Grandpa engaged in a silly antic related to the recipe on the facing page. Each recipe clearly states the ingredients and directions--no matter how simple--so every dish seems possible to make, especially with an adult assisting. A photo of the end result is also provided to whet the appetite. "Milky Maple Soda" looks refreshing to sip while tackling the "Toasty Bread Houses," square meatballs, "Foggy Pea Soup" or "Strawberry Tallcake." Other than one odd warning not to "cremate" English-muffin pizzas under the broiler, the recipes are good and easy, and kids should find many sweet and savory options to tickle their taste buds. Keep handy for that gloomy day when a "Spaghetti Twister with a Tomato Tornado" might blow in or as an amusing how-to title to help children discover the possible satisfying results that can come when following directions. (Cookbook. 5-8)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.