As if Michelle Obama’s new Netflix show wasn’t exciting enough, Random House Children’s Books and Clarkson Potter have just announced the pair will launch a publishing program based on Waffles + Mochi! Under the program, three children’s titles will be released this year.
First up, Follow That Food! ($12.99), written by Christy Webster and illustrated by Sarah Rebar with an introduction written by Michelle Obama, releases on Mar. 2, 2021.The picture book best friends Waffles and Mochi search all over the world for the perfect recipe to make a special treat for the friends.
photo: Random House Children’s Books
This summer, early readers can get their hands Pickle Party! ($5.99), a “Step Into Reading” format book which launches on Jul. 13, 2021. In addition, young artists will love Rainbow of Flavors, a deluxe paint box book with stickers.
Finally, Clarkson Potter will publish Waffles + Mochi: The Cookbook ($17.99) for children ages 3 to 7 in Nov. The book will feature dishes from the show and more fun family meals for from author, recipe developer and New York Times cooking writer Yewande Komolafe.
Chris Angelilli VP & Editor-in-Chief & Director, Licensed Publishing Random House Children’s Books says “We’re thrilled to be working with Netflix and Higher Ground to bring these fun new characters and stories to families. Waffles + Mochi’s message about exploration and trying new things is sure to excite and help expand kids’ horizons.”
The holidays this year will be different and, for many, hard, but kids can help make others smile. America’s Test Kitchen Kids launched the #CookiesFromKids campaign inspiring kids to spread joy and bake for good this holiday season. Supporting the brand’s mission to empower and inspire confidence, community and creativity in the kitchen, America’s Test Kitchen Kids is encouraging kids to spend the month of December baking cookies and sharing them with friends, family, neighbors and members of the community including frontline workers, teachers, nurses, mail carriers, delivery personnel, and others.
America’s Test Kitchen Kids will donate $1 (up to $5,000) to No Kid Hungry for every photo posted on Instagram using #CookiesFromKids showcasing kid bakers taking over the kitchen to give back to their community.
Kids can follow four simple steps to participate:
Pick their person: Choose someone in your life who you think needs a little bit of (delicious) joy. It could be a grandparent, aunt, teacher, coach, babysitter, mail carrier, garbage man or neighbor—really, anyone!
Bake their cookies: Pick any cookie from America’s Test Kitchen Kids’ wide library of kid-tested recipes, including holiday favorites Glazed Sugar Cookies and Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, and start baking.
Send some joy: After your cookies are done, pack them up and drop them off or send them to your special cookie recipient.
Share: Have a grown-up share a picture of you and your finished cookie creations using the hashtag #CookiesFromKids for a chance to win a cookbook from America’s Test Kitchen Kids and to trigger a donation of $1 to No Kid Hungry during the month of December.
“During this unprecedented time we know it’s been difficult for many families who aren’t able to gather around the dinner table. There are also countless people who deserve our immense gratitude this holiday season,” said Molly Birnbaum, Editor in Chief of America’s Test Kitchen Kids. “We believe one of the best ways to feel connected is to give the gift of homemade food. Baking and sending cookies is a simple way kids can spread joy and show their appreciation during the holiday season.”
Disney parks were closed for quite some time this year and we’re all in need of a little extra magic. Luckily, Adams Media new cookbook is here to give us the Mickey fix we all want.
The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook is packed with 100 recipes and they’re all Disney inspired. From park classics like churros and Dole Whips to new offerings that include Star Wars blue milk, this book is a must for Disney foodies.
The cookbook is organized by park and includes Disneyland, the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and California Adventure. With whimsical maps that show your fave parks and gorgeous photos, The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook highlights some of the most iconic food spots and treats that every park goer loves.
Some of the tasty recipes include Mint Juleps, The Grey Stuff, Beignets and Campfire Chili. You can preorder the book now on Amazon for $21.99 for delivery on its release date, Nov. 10.
This exclusive line is inspired by your favorite characters from the Marvel Universe and by Marvel’s own cooking showEat the Universe, hosted by celebrity chef Justin Warner.
You can also preorder the Marvel Eat The Universe cookbook that is coming soon to BoxLunch stores and BoxLunch.com for $29.99. You can use your new kitchen cooking supplies to make all of the superhero recipes in the book.
Check out the pre-sale and plan for a super kitchen re-do. BoxLunch also donates a meal to a person in need for every $10 spent in-store or online through their partnership with Feeding America.
When it comes to making dinner, no one knows the struggle more than author, nutrition coach and chef, Sarah Adler. The woman behind Simply Real Health is committed to making no muss, no fuss dinners that are healthy and easy. That’s where her Veggie & Red Lentil Curry Stew comes in. With less than 10 ingredients, this family-friendly meal can be made three ways and is the perfect way to sneak in those veggies.
Veggie & Red Lentil Curry Stew Makes 6-8 servings
Ingredients:
2 cups red lentils
5 cups water
1 large bag frozen broccoli (or 3-4 cups fresh)
1 large bag frozen butternut squash (or 3 cups fresh)
1 yam, cubed
5 carrots, roughly chopped
1 TB red curry paste (I used Thai Kitchen)
2 tsp sea salt + 1 tsp pepper
Directions: For a IP: Add all ingredients to an Instant Pot, close tamper to high pressure and set for 30 minutes.
If making in a crockpot: add all ingredients in and cook for 4 hours high or 6 hours low.
If making traditionally in a stock pot: sauté veggies first, then add lentils, curry, s + p and liquid and bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat until lentils are cooked and broken down, about 15-20 minutes.
For more recipes from Sarah check out her cookbook, Simply Real Eating which is available on Amazon for $19.89.
Can’t keep your kids out of the kitchen? Food Network star Duff Goldman’s latest cookbook is geared specifically to children. Super Good: Baking for Kids, is set to hit shelves on Sept. 29, and will teach promising young bakers how to make dozens of crazy concoctions that will amaze their family and friends.
Goldman has a great deal of experience mentoring your bakers as a host on Food Network’s Kids Baking Championship. He believes baking should be three things: super fun, super delicious and super creative. His new cookbook will feature 35 of the gooiest, chewiest easiest-to-follow recipes ever. With kid-friendly step-by-step instructions; helpful kitchen-safety tips; and fun, fact-filled sidebars on everything from the best places to eat in New York to surprising facts about unicorns, this book will give any kid the kitchen confidence to make crazy delicious desserts that everyone will enjoy.
“I’m constantly inspired and amazed by what kids are able to do in the kitchen, so I’m super excited to be releasing my first cookbook for kids,” says Goldman in a press release. “My goal with this book is for kids to have fun creating delicious desserts that the whole family will love and empowering young bakers to release their inner artists in the kitchen!”
“Duff Goldman has the unique ability to make the impossible possible. His cookies, cupcakes, pies, brownies, bear claws . . . they all seem too good for a beginning baker to be able to make. And yet Duff’s found a way to bring his unique style into recipes that will make any kid an all-star chef,” says HarperCollins Children’s Books Executive Editor David Linker. “It’s been a tremendous pleasure working with him and I know that fans of his shows and families looking for fun activities to do together are going to love this.”
—Jennifer Swartvagher
Photos courtesy of Duff Goldman/HarperCollins Children’s Books
Summer is the perfect time for kids to learn new kitchen skills and have fun cooking for friends and family. American Girl is launching a new cookbook that offers dozens of kid-friendly recipes for cakes, tarts, cookies, icy treats and more that use the bounty of seasonal fruits, celebrate summer days, and help keep kids cool. American Girl Summer Treats offers an enticing collection of delicious baked goods and cool sweets from Mermaid Ice Cream Pops and Frozen Lemonade to Watermelon Cake and Day-at-the-Beach Cupcakes.
With more than 50 inspiring recipes will encourage young chefs of all experience levels with no-fail instructions, gorgeous full-color photography, helpful cooking tips and ideas for serving and preparation. Kids can find the perfect recipes to help their families get ready to celebrate the 4th of July or throw an ice cream party.
Summer looks a lot sweeter.
Recipes Include:
Fireworks Bundt Cake
Classic Peach Pie
Mud Pie Sundae
Mixed Berry Shortcake
Fruity Cake Tower
Blackberry Tart with Pecan Crust
Individual Cherry Cobblers
American Girl Summer Treats will be available on May 26. Preorder now for $19.95.
April showers (and stay-at-home orders) bring more days to curl up with a book. Whether you’re looking to refresh your kid’s library or give them some inspiration, books are always the perfect escape. These walls can’t hold your imagination! Here are our favorite new kids for books coming out this month.
Be Curious!
Cartwheel Books
The illustrations are pretty enough to frame and hang on a wall, but the lift-a-flap format and simple, rhyming text take home the trophy in this delightful book that's all about crafting curiosity. You'll follow one cool cat along on a sensory journey with adorable animal pals, and we have a feeling you'll be taking this journey multiple times each day.
Nana's garden is a special place with lots of colors, flowers and creatures. Little learners will learn to count to five, learn colors and go on a magical adventure––all while spending the day with grandparents.
This brightly illustrated book about trying something new...and trust might be set in the big wide ocean, but any kid will recognize the idea of courage and love told within. Author-illustrator Chris Haughton's iconic style will fast become one of a collection. Join Little Crab as he ventures out with his mom beyond the tide pool.
Geisel Honor Winner Kara LeReau teamed up with Caldecott Medal winning illustrator Matthew Cordell to introduce readers to "the newest star in the circus: Baby Clown!" Frieda and Boffo clown's little make-up ready clown is adorable, but he's also not very happy. Laugh out loud as Baby Clown cries his way through the circus acts, diaper changes, feedings and nap. As any parent can attest, though, the show must go on. Find out how on Apr. 14.
Kit and Kaboodle Go Camping: Highlights Puzzle Readers
Highlights Press
Highlights new Puzzle Readers pair the iconic seek and find activities from the publication with new, age-appropriate leveled reader books. The new series offers original stories and engaging puzzles that will get littles excited to read. With two new books for both level one and level two readers, your budding learning will have plenty of content to keep them engaged.
Playful illustrations by Gladys Jose bring to life this sincere guide, put out by the Elephant Hobby and Sport League, aimed at helping elephants who haven’t mastered the art of hide-and-seek…yet. But with these helpful tips, our oversized friends will soon be hiding behind trees, under tables and in closets with the best of them.
An imagination is a wild thing; and sometimes it gets the best of even the youngest among us. In this tale by Sophie Dahl, little Mable thinks the worst of the newest guest at the Mermaid Hotel. Madame Badobedah leaves a lasting impression in this adventurous romp you'll want to read over-and-over.
David Bowie fans (who isn’t?!) will love being able to add this brand-new picture book to their kids’ collection. An illustrated sweet adaptation of his iconic song, “Let’s Dance,” parents and kids alike will have their toes tapping in no time.
The true story of Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel, a man who, in the midst of the on-going Syrian civil war, managed to find and offer safe haven to dozens and dozens of abandoned pet cats. A somber but important book that offers kids’ a glance at the effects of war, this inspiring tale is accompanied by wonderful illustrations.
Perfect for budding bakers, The Llamacorn Cookbook's bright photos and easy recipes will inspire everyone. The 96-page book shares 45 recipes, many of which use store bought items to make cooking easy and fun––especially for parents. Kiddos can whip up Llamacorn's Meringue Cookies, Enchanged Unicorn Horns and Lah-Tee-Dah Pink Limeade and plenty more whimsical treats.
While this book is technically a Kickstarter campaign (ends April 19), we just had to share. A beautiful collection of 30 stories about kids from all over the world, it includes fun facts and activities that help bring each culture to life. Available now for pre-order, books will be shipped in November—which makes this a perfect holiday gift.
A seek and find book with a beautifully simplistic and minimal approach, Jorrien Peterson's new work is a can't miss. Kids will learn about nine unique biomes (naturally occurring communities), what makes them special, be challenged to find specific flora and fauna and answer a question at the end of each "lesson."
The Bard's story is anything but winded with this beautiful retelling by Georghia Ellinas, illustrated by Jane Ray. Travel with Ariel, the spirit of the air, back to Naples, Italy to a mystical library full of books of magic. Discover the adventures of Prospero, at the mercy of his jealous brother, and his baby daughter Miranda. This wonderful version will give adults new insight into the play as well!
Not your average reference book, author Jules Howard presents a thorough investigation of the wonder of bones in this hardcover volume with insanely-amazing illustrations by Chervelle Fryer, who manages to be both scientifically accurate and aesthetically pleasing at the same time. Seriously, you'll wish you could frame this whole book. The added bonus? Kids will learn all about bones and skeletons, from horses to flying foxes to penguins. The book is arranged by "type" of animal: jumping, flying, running, swimming, etc. A must-buy for any kid's reference library.
Think slime is just for sticking to stuff? What if your slime actually was alive, friendly and basically a mystery-solving, semi-hero sidekick? That's exactly what Piper has: magical slime named Cosmo that came to life thanks to some spacedust. Cool, right?? In this second adventure in the series, Piper and Cosmo are on a mission to find her missing (space-exploring) Grandma! Book includes a new slime recipe and fun STEM facts.
Ramona Quimby gets a modern update with Ryan Hart and her middle-class family. Newberry Honor and Coretta Scott King Author Award winner Renée Watson starts a new chapter book series for budding readers with Ways to Make Sunshine. The intro novel follows Ryan as she navigates family that includes her dad finding a job after a long period of unemployment, school and self-image. No matter what she faces, Ryan knows how to make sunshine out of any situation.
Sandy Stark-McGinnis' second middle school novel offers a hopeful yet heart wrenching story of a young girl dealing with her mother's early onset Alzheimer's diagnosis. Cassie and her dad are handling all the new changes quite well until Mom forgets Cassie's name, and she struggles to stay connected to friends and her art. Tough topics abound in this middle grade story that follows Cassie as she decides to break one of her dad's rules to make her mom happy.
Diary of a 5th Grade Outlaw: The Friend Thief Book 2
Epic Originals
Head back to Nottingham Elementary for another adventure! Robin is happy to be "back together" with her BFF after "winning" her back from the schoolyard bully, Nadia. But Nadia starts to win over the other kids including Robin's bestie. The second book in this Robin Hood inspired series, find the first one here. Written by Gina Loveless, illustrated by Andrea Bell.
Dav Pilkey's latest in the Dog Man series is full of laughs, as per usual. This time, Dog Man turns in his badge and resigns his post. Will he get back on the force? Read it to find out!
Joanna Gaines has a lot to celebrate. Her new cookbook, Magnolia Table, Volume 2 was released earlier this week. Since her book tour needed to be cancelled, she decided to stage her own hilarious book signing at home.
In a video posted to Instagram, Gaines signs copies of the book for her husband, Chip, and their children, Drake, Duke, Emmie, and Crew.The couple’s other daughter Ella stands by her mom’s side to play her “bodyguard” during the singing. The “guests” wear various disguises throughout the video.
“Since my book tour isn’t happening this week, we still wanted to celebrate the book launch in our own unique, stir crazy kind of way,” she wrote on Instagram. “I felt the love for sure, but I also missed getting to see all of your beautiful faces!” She also thanked her fans for their support and asked them to tag her in any of their own posts about their projects in the kitchen.
Everyone is struggling to make sense of the challenges we are all facing due to the novel coronavirus. If you have young children, you may have even more stress as you struggle to keep them busy. There are numerous suggestions online for activities and games, as well as many resources offered by companies and publishers. Besides that, if you are looking for ideas that do not require a trip to the art store, the grocery store, or even opening your computer, check these out.
LISTEN. I found myself sitting in my back yard yesterday for no reason other than to get some fresh air and some sun. Suddenly I was noticing an amazing variety of bird songs. My five-minute outdoor break from work turned into thirty minutes of listening. Children almost never have the opportunity just to sit and listen, so use this time to make that happen. I’ll admit it did have me later going to my computer to try to identify an unusual orange bird, an oriole, I think; but, nothing wrong with sparking that kind of curiosity.
READ. Sometimes we only read to our children at bedtime (that’s great, don’t stop!) but mix it up and read anytime, even first thing in the morning. Choose favorites from your bookshelf and read aloud or have your child tell you the story in their own words. Or, branch out and choose a cookbook with lots of pictures. I remember my own young children frequently requesting a cake baking cookbook. They were enthralled with the photographs of cakes shaped like guitars and bunnies. Art or coffee table books can open up a whole new world as well. Peruse together, make observations, and ask questions. I recently shared a book about an environmental sculptor, Andy Goldsworthy with my three-year-old granddaughter, Alma. Her thoughts on his rock and twig structures were fascinating for both of us. Later we even collected some rocks and twigs of our own to build with.
SING. Be inspired by the Italians who have taken this opportunity to express themselves musically and lift up themselves and their neighbors. Schedule an after-dinner sing-a-long. Share tunes that you remember from your childhood. Children adore hearing about life when their parents were young. Plus, research shows us that singing releases chemicals and hormones that raise our feelings of pleasure and reduce our feelings of anxiety and stress.
DANCE. Have a dance party. Pick a theme…hats, scarfs, face paint, any crazy idea will do. If dancing isn’t your thing, start with something simple like the hokey pokey or the bunny hop, or just clapping along and take it from there. Besides the benefits of movement and exercise, dancing like singing can boost our mood. Model your kid’s inhibitions and have fun!
I am a parent and grandparent with over four decades of experience in early childhood education. I share my passion, wisdom and experience, with parents and the people who care for and about children at Little Folks Big Questions, where we're out to answer the questions parents face in today's world.
