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panda_incognito's review against another edition
5.0
I read this series in early June, and the book's ideas for a Juneteenth celebration were very socially relevant, since it was about to become a federal holiday. It was an interesting time for me to read this book, and I really enjoyed the unique perspective that it offered on food and diets from the past, since the contributors researched and shared information about what Addy and her family would have eaten while enslaved, what she and her mother would have cooked after they escaped, and what the family would have eaten once they were reunited and living in a boarding house. This is a stand-out entry in the series because of the insight it provides into Black history, and because of the unique elements of charting how someone's diet and cooking habits would have changed as they faced significant life transitions and moved to new places.
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When I first pursued the American Girl craft books, I wasn't sure if I was even interested in the cooking series, since I am on a very restricted diet for health reasons and wouldn't be able to use almost any of these recipes in the kitchen. However, I knew that I should get the Molly cookbook for the WWII-specific recipe ideas and historical information about rationing, and I decided that I may as well get all of the books. After all, after being on a very restricted diet for the past ten years, it's hard for me to come up with stuff for my characters to eat when I'm writing. It's all research!
I am very glad that I got these books, and they far surpassed my expectations. Although I enjoyed the craft-related books and would be far more likely to use them, the domestic history in the cookbooks absolutely fascinated me. These are far more than just recipe collections, and include detailed, specific information about domestic life and women's experiences. I would recommend the series to kids who are interested in making food that their favorite American Girl characters ate, but I would also recommend this series to adults who are interested in women's history or cultural anthropology related to food.
Each book includes introductory information and sidebars related to what cooking was like during the character's era, how cooking and food connected with the daily rhythms of family life, how people preserved food, and what was unique about cookbooks during that time. The recipes themselves also briefly include historical information, and the team responsible for these cookbooks did an amazing job of selecting recipes that kids and their parents can realistically make with minimal hassle, while still truly experiencing the types of foods that were common during specific times in history. Each book also concludes with ideas for themed parties that would connect to the character's background and celebrations that they would have participated in.
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When I first pursued the American Girl craft books, I wasn't sure if I was even interested in the cooking series, since I am on a very restricted diet for health reasons and wouldn't be able to use almost any of these recipes in the kitchen. However, I knew that I should get the Molly cookbook for the WWII-specific recipe ideas and historical information about rationing, and I decided that I may as well get all of the books. After all, after being on a very restricted diet for the past ten years, it's hard for me to come up with stuff for my characters to eat when I'm writing. It's all research!
I am very glad that I got these books, and they far surpassed my expectations. Although I enjoyed the craft-related books and would be far more likely to use them, the domestic history in the cookbooks absolutely fascinated me. These are far more than just recipe collections, and include detailed, specific information about domestic life and women's experiences. I would recommend the series to kids who are interested in making food that their favorite American Girl characters ate, but I would also recommend this series to adults who are interested in women's history or cultural anthropology related to food.
Each book includes introductory information and sidebars related to what cooking was like during the character's era, how cooking and food connected with the daily rhythms of family life, how people preserved food, and what was unique about cookbooks during that time. The recipes themselves also briefly include historical information, and the team responsible for these cookbooks did an amazing job of selecting recipes that kids and their parents can realistically make with minimal hassle, while still truly experiencing the types of foods that were common during specific times in history. Each book also concludes with ideas for themed parties that would connect to the character's background and celebrations that they would have participated in.
littleseal's review against another edition
Why yes, I did check this out at my local library in order to veganize the recipes. Note: Date finished reading is literally just that, not the competition of making the recipes vegan.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Racism, Fire/Fire injury, Slavery, and War
antlersantlers's review against another edition
Of all the American Girl cookbooks, this one was honestly the best. The recipes were yummy and versatile, while still being easy enough for a(n assisted) kid. Books like these are so great for really immersed (obsessed) kids who are itching for extension activities. Series like the Magic Treehouse needs to get on the cookbook train!
empathephant's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.0
This honestly had some yummy sounding stuff and interesting historical information, which surprised me. I’d be interested in looking at some of the others in the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery
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