Let's Cook!: A Press-Out-and-Play Book

Rating:
Summary: Unique board book concept--but does not teach good nutrition
Review: My 2-year old loves to cook and pretend to cook, and enjoys this unique book that involves cut-out photos of different foods and simple activities to do to pretend to cook and prepare food. The graphics are great and the board is sturdy. I am disappointed however that the author did not take the opportunity to teach good nutrition. The newest govt guidelines call for 4-5 servings of fruit and 4-5 servings of vegetables a day, for example. In the book, instead of presenting whole-grain bread, white bread and a bagel are presented. Bacon appears twice. Two vegetables are provided. Dessert is a 5-scoop ice cream sundae (although, granted there are four kinds of fruits associated with it, which is a plus!).

Children begin to develop their lifelong palate at an early age. Unfortunately children are already bombarded with enough advertising for unhealthy foods, and this was an opportunity to present another option, not taken advantage of.