Cooking Time is Family Time: Cooking Together, Eating Together, and Spending Time Together

Fredericks's considerable experience as a food publicist, mother and educator (she helped develop a food-based curriculum for grades K-3) informs every page of this practical yet heartfelt guide. Parents might panic at the mere thought of having children in the kitchen, but Fredericks demonstrates how even toddlers can help with mealtime preparation. What's important, she stresses, is the process, not the results--though following her advice will eventually lead to interesting and nutritious meals, less-picky eaters and a more cohesive family. The first four chapters lay out the basics, from lists of inexpensive kitchen utensils (one set per child) and equipment, to illustrated step-by-step instructions on knife handling. The next six, organized by food group, include recipes for such adventuresome fare as Egyptian Stuffed Vegetables, Miso Soup with Shrimp and Yogurt-Pomegranate Parfaits. Fredericks includes a chapter on how to resolve conflicts in the kitchen and another that suggests holiday recipes and menus; an appendix gives information on nutrition. A real trailblazer, this is as informative a parenting guide as it is a cookbook. (Aug.)