With the holidays in the air, now’s the perfect moment to invite your little helpers into the kitchen for some festive fun. Just imagine the giggles, the little flour-dusted noses and the excitement of creating something together!
As a lover of all things cozy and creative, I’ve picked out six charming books that will inspire your tiny chefs to get cooking, exploring and learning in the most joyful way. Get ready to add a dash of holiday spirit and a pinch of creativity to your kitchen!
‘Look and Cook Breakfast: A First Book of Recipes in Pictures’ by Valorie Fisher (ages 4-8)
This clever book is an ideal intro to cooking for little chefs who can’t yet read on their own. Look and Cook Breakfast guides children through each recipe with easy-to-follow colorful pictures, making it super simple to whip up pancake buttons, topsy-turvy eggs, berry banana blasts and more. There’s nothing like seeing the pride on a child’s face when they “read” and follow a recipe all on their own!
‘I Am a Little Chef’ by Mayumi Oono (ages 2-4)
Get ready for a tasty adventure around the world with I Am a Little Chef! This fun book lets young cooks explore flavors from across the globe, from Japanese sushi to French omelets. With 150 delightful stickers, kids can choose their ingredients, explore new foods and practice cooking with just a flip of a flap! It’s a perfect choice for little ones who love both cooking and crafting.
‘The Bread Pet: A Sourdough Story’ by Kate DePalma, illustrated by Nelleke Verhoeff (ages 4-9)
The Bread Pet is a funny, heartwarming tale about a little girl named Cora and her adventures with a rapidly multiplying sourdough starter. This delightful STEM story combines family, creativity and a touch of responsibility. Plus, there’s a simple recipe in the back so your little baker can make a starter of their own.
‘Mama’s Roti’ by Raakhee Mirchandani, Illustrated by Shreya Gupta (ages 4-8)
In Mama’s Roti, readers are invited into a heartfelt, sensory journey where a young girl learns the art of making roti with her mother. Together, they knead, roll and toast their way through family traditions, all while celebrating love and heritage. This beautiful story captures the warmth of family connections and the joy of sharing culture through food, making it a lovely addition to any young chef’s holiday bookshelf.
‘Every Cake Has a Story’ by Christina Tosi, illustrated by Emily Balsley (ages 3-5)
In this sweet story, Sammi dreams of a world as vibrant and full of flavors as her favorite cakes. With a little bit of magic and a recipe book, Sammi and her friends discover the joy of baking together. The message is as simple as it is delicious: Baking brings people together, and each recipe has a unique story to tell.
‘The Little Chefs’ by Rosemary Wells (ages 4-8)
This one’s close to my heart, as I wrote it to celebrate the wonder and silliness that can come from a little bit of kitchen chaos! In The Little Chefs, even the tiniest mix-ups can turn into grand adventures — and when things go wrong, our trusty Little Chefs come to the rescue. They’ll make sure the meal goes on, and they’ll never spill a word about any messy mishaps.
These books are perfect for holiday gift-giving, encouraging little ones to cook up their own kitchen magic. This season, let’s celebrate the warmth of the season, the joy of family and the simple happiness that comes from cooking with kids. Whether it’s stirring, decorating or sharing, these books will help inspire a lifetime love of food and family. So go ahead — pick up a few for the little chefs in your life, and make this holiday season extra special!
