School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-6-This colorful and slick offering is divided into nine chapters, most focusing on dishes for specific events like bake sales, family picnics, and sleepovers. Brief general cooking tips are also included, along with advice on manners relating to various foods (as Deen notes in a foreword, "In the South, manners have always been important.."). This old-fashioned tone prevails, and Deen's many fans will eat it up. Recipes range from easy (German Chocolate Pies involve no more than assembling ingredients in a prepared pie shell) to difficult (Pumpkin Roll with Cream Cheese Icing involves carefully rolling a thin baked cake). Many of the savory dishes are hearty and rich, like the Bacon-Cheddar Meatloaf. This book excels at having wonderfully complete safety precautions. Each recipe is accompanied by a pictured list of ingredients and utensils needed, but nutritional information is not provided. The illustrations show a multicultural cast of characters, yet Deen suggests wearing Santa hats for a "holiday bake sale," with nary a mention of Hanukkah or Kwanzaa. So while this won't be for everyone, it will go over well in many communities, especially where the author's TV show is popular.-Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Paula Deen's second cookbook for kids organizes recipes according to occasions that might occur during the school year (a sleepover, a Christmas party). In addition to the recipes, Dean offers suggestions ("[a bake sale] is a great way to raise quick cash for a good cause") and personal reflections ("Fondue parties were all the rage when I was much, much younger"), while sections on manners and cooking lessons include more tips. Clearly labeled ingredients and tools make the preparations comprehensible, and the illustrations of friends and family give the book an inviting feel. Ages 7-up. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
