It's no secret that we're big fans of Kathy Strahs, the woman who brought us Panini Happy and the genius The 8x8 Cookbook, which perfected the one-pan family meal. The themes of her work alone make it clear that Kathy gets what it's like to be a busy home cook and, being familiar with her recipes, I can assure you that's true. This is a mom who understands -- and offers real help.
Now Kathy has done it again, offering help -- and tons of fun -- to get kids cooking, crafting, and making some cash this summer with her new title The Lemonade Stand Cookbook: Step-by-Step Recipes and Crafts for Kids to Make -- and Sell! Inspired by Kathy's latest book, my boys are deep in planning a mega-lemonade stand, and they hardly need my help.
I told you Kathy knows what's up!
Related: 5 cookbooks for kids who actually want to learn how to cook -- or are willing to try.
The Lemonade Stand Cookbook immediately pulls you in with a colorful design, tons of pictures, playful illustrations, and of course, great recipes. There are obviously drinks -- smoothies, fruit-infused water, iced tea, and creative lemonades -- but there are also sweet and savory snacks that most school-aged kids can make by themselves (and that little ones can certainly handle with your help). While my boys have taken complete ownership of this cookbook, I've also flagged several snack recipes, from easy muffins to bars to quick breads, that I can make for school bake sales and kids' parties. In addition to the recipes, there are also crafts, and not just bonus ideas thrown in willy nilly. There's a whole chapter full of ideas that even my craft-averse sons (and their craft-averse mama) find totally inspiring -- because totally doable. Super crafty kids can definitely find inspiration here, too, if no other reason than the ideas are great for selling at their lemonade stand. Yay for making summer cash! But, honestly, fabulous recipes and awesome crafts aside, the best thing about this book is how thoughtfully designed it is to empower kids to create a lemonade stand on their own. Every step of every recipe is illustrated, there are tons of cooking and crafting tips that speak specifically to kids, and there are stories from real kids throughout who you feel are cooking alongside you. There is also encouragement to raise money for good, which we love. This is just the loveliest cookbook full of life, fun, and all the tools that your kids need to take summer on all on their own -- with a side of refreshing lemonade for you. It doesn't get better than that. Get your copy of The Lemonade Stand Cookbook at Kathy's very own press (told you she's a superstar!), burntcheesepress.com, or at our affiliate Amazon.
