<p/><br></br><p><b> About the Book </b></p></br></br>Tucked into this cookbook are bits of history and culture, great field trip ideas, and family gift suggestions that can keep kids cooking all year long. Involving children in food preparation activities not only helps them learn to cook but provides them with many other hands-on learning experiences.<p/><br></br><p><b> Book Synopsis </b></p></br></br><p>Children learn to cook with the seasons, beginning with fall and it's rich abundance of fruits and vegetables. Along with recipes for seasonal foods, there are great field trip ideas and family gift suggestions. Keep kids cooking all year long. Get children involved in food activities. Help them learn to cook and provide them with many other hands-on learning experiences. This book encourages meaningful traditions for holidays, events, and special or everyday occasions.</p> <p>Each season emphasizes certain foods. For example, for fall, recipes include those featuring garden's bounty, back-to-school foods, apples, Halloween pumpkins, Thanksgiving foods and others.</p> <p>Winter ideas revolve around holiday foods and activities. There are suggestions for cookie baking and holiday gifts from the kitchen, and for planning a New Year's Open House party. There are plans for a Valentine's Day tea party, and recipes for President's Day, and St. Patrick's Day and other winter recipes.</p> <p>Spring is a time to teach children hope. April fool's time can be challenging and a fun time. There are foods for Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day, and Father's Day and other spring recipes.</p> <p>Summer ideas include ways to keep cool and foods for active young athletes. Fourth of July is observed, along with ice cream socials and other summer recipes.</p> <p>Kids working in the kitchen need to be aware of working safely and practicing food safety measures. Emphasis is placed on cooperation and using good table manner. </p> <p>These recipes and ideas will keep children busy, entertained, and learning all year long at home or in school.</p><p/><br></br><p><b> Review Quotes </b></p></br></br><br>"Cooking with kids should be both educational and fun. In Cooking Around the Calendar with Kids: Holiday and Seasonal Food and Fun, Amy Houts shows how to bring children into the kitchen year-round by following seasons and holidays. Not only does Houts propose three different apple recipes, she suggests broadening the experience with a trip to an orchard, a retelling of the Johnny Appleseed story, and counting the seeds in an apple. Similarly, she advises observing the silliness of April Fool's Day by serving a meal out of order or "hiding" the spaghetti sauce under the pasta. Recipes and ideas come from different cultures, and there are recipes specifically addressing food allergies. Teachers and parents will find entertaining ideas for helping children appreciate cooking and learn where their food comes from." -- Booklist "Cooking Around the Calendar With Kids is a 121-page compendium of advice and recipes that will enable parents to involve their children with a love of cooking. Amy Houts is an experienced children's author and former preschool teacher who shares her considerable expertise in showing parents how to help their children follow directions as they cook together in the kitchen including the practice safety and proper food handling methods; choosing and preparing seasonal food for great taste and careful economy; establishing family traditions; fostering cooperation and a willingness to share; preparing tasty foods from other cultures; and generally enjoying the preparation of food while learning about the background of the recipes and menus of various traditions and holidays. Cooking Around the Calendar with Kids: Holiday and Seasonal Food and Fun is a welcome and recommended addition to family and community library collections!" -- The Midwest Book Review "There are lots of simple, interesting, and good-sounding recipes in this book-- always helpful for kids in the kitchen. But I like best of all the great lunch box suggestions, and I think parents will too." -- Ellyn Satter, MS, RD, CICSW, Author, Secrets of Feeding a Healthy Family "A delightful blend of family fun, this cookbook will be a welcome addition in any homeschool family kitchen. Tucked away between its recipes are bits of history and culture, terrific field trip ideas, as well as fun family gift ideas that are sure to keep you cooking all year long." -Nida Clayton Homeschool Mother of 7 "This book can trigger some wonderful fun and meaningful traditions for holidays, events, and occasions. Simply written and easy to follow." -Karma Metzgar, C.F.C.S. Nutrition Educator and Mother of 2 "Cooking Around the Calendar is a delightful combination of recipes, health hints, and seasonal fun for children and their families. The recipes are easy to make and contain ingredients that are simple and easy to find in most kitchens. Children will enjoy contributing their assistance to make these delicious foods!" -Julie Jackson Albee, Ph.D. Professor of Children's Literature Northwest Missouri State University<br>