Cook books are a wonderful way to introduce children to cooking. We can use cook books to promote healthy eating and for the development of a whole range of practical life skills. Alone or add an apron or utensils, cook books are also awesome to give as gifts. There are cook books designed specifically for toddlers and preschoolers. Here a few that I like the best!!

Personalised Banana Muffin, Zucchini Muffin and Rainbow Fritter Cook Books. These are by Story Antics who have many other personalised cook books perfect for the age ranges of around three years+. They are cook books but can be read as a story book. Each book has one recipe where you can personalise the two characters (the adult and the child) including their names, hair colour, hair style, eye colour and skin colour. Otto loves to see his name in the books.

These are so fun, bright and colourful. Ours haven't got too dirty but I'm told the pages are easy to wipe down and clean.

The recipes are lovely and easy to follow.

If you have not used Tickle Fingers with your toddler you are missing out! The Tickle Fingers Toddler Cookbook: Hands-on Fun in the Kitchen for 1 to 4s by Annael Woolmer is simply awesome. The recipes still need adult assistance but it's obvious this was made for toddlers. So many cook books exist that say they are for children even toddlers, but are way too complicated. This is a cook book perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. It is simple, easy to follow with lots of recipes with things we would like to bake. Frittata? Yes please! 

It contains a ton of tips and suggestions. It has steps that children as young as one year old can do. Look at this, each recipe contains the relevant schemas and skills. 

Perhaps what I love best about this book are the photographs of real toddlers (1-3yrs) doing real cooking. You can see lots of young toddlers getting their hands dirty and into the food. This is not pretentious, it is a fabulous real cook book. If you are a Grandparent, Aunt or Uncle, this would make a great gift for the young people in your life.  

This is third on my list but still a very worthy mention. This is the cook book that I go to when I am out of ideas. Little Helpers Toddler Cookbook: Healthy, Kid-Friendly Recipes to Cook Together by Heather Wish Staller. While these recipes feel a little harder they are still much more simple than other children's cook books we have.

It is colour coded, the purple steps are for the children and the green steps are for the adults. There are three levels of difficulty and recipes include breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and sides and desserts.

You also get a clear photograph of each completed recipe. 

Looking for more toddler cook books? I've also recently discovered the ebook Kneading with Toddlers by Kate Millie (who is also a Montessorian). It contains ten recipes including Bread Sticks, Challah, Pizza Buns, Focaccia, Cheese Buns and Orange Bowknots. It is suitable for toddlers and preschoolers but also primary students new to baking. I think this would be a good classroom cook book too.

Let me know your favourites!

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