10+ Best Cookery Books for 11-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect way to introduce the culinary world to your budding chef? Look no further! Our guide to the best cookery books for 11-year-olds is packed with top picks that inspire creativity and build kitchen confidence. Whether your young chef is a beginner or ready to tackle more challenging dishes, we've got something that will light up their taste buds and expand their cooking skills. Keep reading to discover our favorite cookery books for 11-year-olds, each crafted to suit their curiosity and growing expertise!

Fun Cookery Books for 11-Year-Olds

• The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs by America's Test Kitchen Kids
  • Genre(s): Cookery, Educational
  • Synopsis: This cookbook offers over 100 kid-tested recipes that aim to teach young chefs essential cooking techniques and skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's designed specifically for kids, with clear, step-by-step instructions and plenty of tips and tricks to engage young readers and build their confidence in the kitchen.
  • Perfect for: Young aspiring chefs who are eager to learn and experiment in the kitchen.

• Cooking Class: 57 Fun Recipes Kids Will Love to Make (and Eat!) by Deanna F. Cook
  • Genre(s): Cookery, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: Features easy-to-follow recipes along with basic cooking techniques, tips on kitchen safety, and fun craft ideas.
  • Why we recommend this book: The book makes cooking accessible and fun for kids, encouraging them to try new foods and develop a love for preparing meals.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy hands-on activities and are new to cooking.

• The Baking Cookbook for Teens: 75 Delicious Recipes for Sweet and Savory Treats by Robin Donovan
  • Genre(s): Baking, Cookery
  • Synopsis: This cookbook provides teens with a variety of baking recipes that range from simple to more complex, suitable for different skill levels.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces the fundamentals of baking in an easy-to-understand manner, which is perfect for building the skills and confidence of young bakers.
  • Perfect for: Teens who have a sweet tooth and are interested in learning to bake on their own.

• The International Cookbook for Kids by Matthew Locricchio, illustrated by Marshall Cavendish
  • Genre(s): International Cuisine, Cookery
  • Synopsis: Includes a selection of recipes from Italy, France, China, and Mexico, complete with cultural information and cooking tips.
  • Why we recommend this book: It not only teaches cooking skills but also offers a glimpse into different cultures through food, making it a fun and educational read.
  • Perfect for: Young readers curious about world cuisines and eager to explore dishes from different cultures.

• American Girl Cooking: Recipes for Delicious Snacks, Meals & More by Williams-Sonoma and American Girl
  • Genre(s): Cookery, American Cuisine
  • Synopsis: A collection of recipes ranging from snacks and main dishes to desserts, tailored for young chefs looking to make everyday meals and special treats.
  • Why we recommend this book: The recipes are straightforward and kid-friendly, accompanied by beautiful photos that inspire young cooks to try new dishes.
  • Perfect for: Fans of American Girl and young cooks who want to make fun and tasty dishes at home.

Educational Cookery Books for 11-Year-Olds

• Kids' Fun and Healthy Cookbook by Nicola Graimes
  • Genre(s): Cookery, Health, Educational
  • Synopsis: Packed with over 100 simple and healthy recipes, this cookbook also includes nutritional information and fun facts about food to educate and inspire young chefs.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Nutritional knowledge, cooking techniques, healthy eating habits
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines fun, easy recipes with important nutritional information, helping kids understand the value of eating well while they learn to cook.
  • Perfect for: Health-conscious families looking for a way to engage their kids in cooking wholesome meals.

• The Help Yourself Cookbook for Kids by Ruby Roth
  • Genre(s): Vegan Cookery, Educational
  • Synopsis: Features over 60 plant-based recipes for children to encourage self-sufficiency in the kitchen and promote healthy eating habits.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Plant-based nutrition, basic cooking skills, independence in the kitchen
  • Why we recommend this book: It's specifically designed to empower kids to make their own meals, focusing on vegan recipes that are not only healthy but also environmentally conscious.
  • Perfect for: Young vegans and any kid interested in learning about more sustainable eating practices.

• Cook It! The Dr. Seuss Cookbook for Kid Chefs by Daniel Gercke
  • Genre(s): Cookery, Thematic
  • Synopsis: This playful cookbook brings the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss to the kitchen with recipes inspired by his beloved characters and stories.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity in cooking, following instructions, thematic exploration
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a unique and engaging way to combine literature and cooking, making meal preparation an imaginative adventure.
  • Perfect for: Dr. Seuss fans and young chefs who love adding a creative twist to their cooking.

• Super Simple Baking for Kids by Charity Mathews
  • Genre(s): Baking, Cookery, Educational
  • Synopsis: Teaches the basics of baking with easy-to-follow recipes and minimal ingredients, tailored specifically for young beginners.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Baking fundamentals, fine motor skills, measurement accuracy
  • Why we recommend this book: It simplifies the baking process for kids, making it accessible and less intimidating for first-time bakers.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are new to baking and families looking for fun, straightforward baking projects to do together.

Challenging Cookery Books for 11-Year-Olds

• MasterChef Junior Cookbook by MasterChef Junior
  • Genre(s): Cookery, Competitive Cooking
  • Synopsis: Inspired by the TV show, this cookbook features sophisticated recipes, tips, and techniques from the MasterChef Junior contestants themselves.
  • Why this book is challenging: The recipes are designed to challenge young chefs with advanced cooking techniques and unique ingredient combinations.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages creativity and precision in the kitchen, inspired by the ingenuity and spirit of the young chefs on the MasterChef Junior show.
  • Perfect for: Young chefs who are looking to challenge themselves and aspire to cook at a competitive level.

• The Science Chef: 100 Fun Food Experiments and Recipes for Kids by Joan D'Amico and Karen Eich Drummond
  • Genre(s): Cookery, Science
  • Synopsis: Combines cooking with scientific principles, featuring experiments that explain the chemistry of cooking and recipes that apply these concepts.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces scientific concepts through cooking, requiring both critical thinking and culinary skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It makes learning science interactive and delicious, offering a hands-on approach to understanding how cooking and science intersect.
  • Perfect for: Kids interested in science and cooking, and who enjoy experimenting and learning how things work.

• Twist It Up: More Than 60 Delicious Recipes from an Inspiring Young Chef by Jack Witherspoon
  • Genre(s): Cookery, Inspirational
  • Synopsis: Written by a young chef who battled leukemia, this book features a collection of recipes that are both accessible and adventurous, encouraging young cooks to try new flavors and techniques.
  • Why this book is challenging: The recipes encourage experimentation with global flavors and complex techniques not typically attempted by kids.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's inspirational, showing how cooking can be a passionate pursuit even for young people facing significant challenges.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring young chefs looking for culinary inspiration and stories of resilience.

• New Junior Cookbook by Better Homes and Gardens
  • Genre(s): Cookery, Educational
  • Synopsis: Offers a range of recipes designed for kids who are ready to take their cooking skills to the next level, with a focus on both fun and healthy meals.
  • Why this book is challenging: It includes a variety of techniques that require more advanced skills, such as baking, grilling, and sautéing.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a balanced mix of recipes that promote healthy eating while also allowing room for indulgent treats.
  • Perfect for: Kids who have mastered the basics of cooking and are ready to explore more diverse and challenging dishes.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to dive into the delicious world of cookery books, especially designed for 11-year-olds, it’s not just about following recipes. Developing good reading habits can enhance the learning experience and make cooking a lot more fun. Here are some engaging exercises that can help young chefs not only enjoy their cookbooks but also improve their reading skills.

• Recipe Relay Reading
  • What it is: Take turns reading recipe steps out loud with a friend or family member.
  • How it helps: Enhances reading fluency and comprehension under the fun guise of teamwork.
  • Tips: Pick a recipe each week to read and prepare together, making it a tasty weekly ritual.

• Create a Recipe Book Club
  • What it is: Form a club where members read the same cookbook and try some recipes.
  • How it helps: Encourages discussion about the book and its content, which improves understanding and retention.
  • Tips: Have each member make a dish from the book for a potluck-style meeting.

• Illustrate That Recipe
  • What it is: Draw pictures of the process or outcome of a recipe.
  • How it helps: Reinforces comprehension by translating text into visuals.
  • Tips: Use colored pencils or markers to make the illustrations vibrant and appealing.

• Vocabulary Chef
  • What it is: Identify new or difficult words in the recipes and create a glossary.
  • How it helps: Enhances vocabulary and makes reading future recipes easier.
  • Tips: Use sticky notes to mark pages with new words and review them regularly.

• Cook and Tell
  • What it is: Prepare a recipe and then explain the process to someone else.
  • How it helps: Boosts retention and ability to give clear instructions.
  • Tips: Try explaining the recipe steps without the book as a challenge to test memory.

• Recipe Review Writer
  • What it is: Write a review of the recipes tried, rating them and noting any modifications made.
  • How it helps: Develops critical thinking and expressive writing skills.
  • Tips: Share reviews with friends or family, or even post them online if appropriate.

Incorporating these exercises into your routine not only makes reading cookery books for 11-year-olds more engaging but also spices up the learning process. Whether it’s drawing, discussing, or cooking, each activity is a step towards becoming a proficient reader and a master young chef. Happy cooking and reading!