"Dream Big Little Pig!" by Kristi Yamaguchi skates circles around other children's books!

Topping the charts on children's lists this week you'll find this crazy little book by ice skating great, Kristi Yamaguchi!

There is just something about Kristi.  She's always had a special sparkle to her eyes, a special spark in her step and in her skating. You get the feeling Kristi has a special determination that's made her achieve greatness in ice skating~ an Olympic Gold Medalist; as well as, in Dancing with the Stars!

What Kristi shares in this happy, crazy little book with children is that a dream and determination can make anything possible. With sprightly illustrations and good dialog, Little Pig learns to dream big and then work to make that dream come true.

I like this combination of truths for children.  So often parents encourage children to dream big, but the hard work to achieve those dreams is pushed aside or forgotten. Responsibility, respect for authority and rules, work and stick-to-itivity despite set-backs are important lessons children need to learn as they are growing up. 

Kristi's book tells a sweet story, but gives a true moral along with it.  That's what makes her book a winner just like she always is! 

Kristi is not without children of her own, and I'll bet she's written this book for her two little girls. Isn't she nice to share it?  :]

5 skating swirls

Grammie Bee

PS:  I had a little figure skater who grew up to work with severely emotionally disturbed children, developmentally delayed children and children with asperbergers.  She's beautiful inside and out.  She's the mother of "Spiderman" aka my Cowboy Boots grandson.  She dreams big!

Toddlers Cook! Little Chef Cookbooks Reviewed ~

Some do forget that young chefs are created as toddlers! 

My Moon Child grandson loves to help his mom cook, and he always has since he could stand up in a chair beside the counter.  He's just 4 years old.

(It always helps to have Smurf assistants.)

There are an assortment of cookbooks for children on the market and I thought it's high time Grammie Bee shared them with my readers.  Nothing's more fun than cooking with your favorite children!

A Word About This Book :

"...recipes are well-illustrated and follow a pleasant, step-by-step format with pastel numbers. At the beginning of the book is a double page photo spread showing various tools that will be needed in the recipes that follow. Then the reader is treated to recipes for—mini-Caesar salad, lettuce boats filled with chicken-corn salad, easy cheesy bread rolls (from scratch), little pita pizzas, cherry tomato sauce with mascarpone for spaghetti, chicken dippers, salmon fishcakes, corn quesadillas, multicolored meringues, tropical ice pops, mini banana muffins, peanut butter bears, cutout cookies with icing, munchy oat bars, mini lemon cheesecakes, homemade lemonade, fruit skewers, and a fruit dipping palette with four different sauces in a handsome double page spread."

Such a good cooking experience for children to be allowed to put together small meals like those mentioned above.  My Cowboy Boots grandboy just made pumpkin cupcakes with his mom for Halloween, and he tells everyone he knows that his job is working for a burrito making restaurant.  A burrito shop??  His mom and dad have no idea where he came up with that one!  LOL

What is clear is that he and his cousin above love Superheros, and there is even an old Superhero Cookbook!  Come to think of it, one of their dads and their uncle used to love to wear Batman and Superman capes and help in the kitchen...

This is the burrito makin' Spiderman!

Older, Absolutely More Appealing Book!

Not even sure if it's still available...

This is a new,  albeit strange-looking foodie cover!

You can absolutely get this one at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

Lest we forget the grandgirls who love to cook, here's the latest Disney contribution to their kitchen hearts.

And a bit about it:

Set in Jazz Age New Orleans, The Princess and the Frog introduces Tiana, a young African-American girl who dreams of owning her own restaurant. This kid-friendly cookbook features recipes inspired by Tiana and the other characters in the film. With simple instructions, large photographs, and charming character art, the book features everything from Tiana’s Famous Beignets and Swamp-Water Smoothies to Ray's Mud Pie and Banana French Toast. A five-frog rating system lets kids know how difficult the recipes are, and cooking tips are sprinkled throughout.

And, then there are some darling girls who are just contented to be Princesses and rule their kingdoms in the cold regions of the North.  They love to look at cookbooks, and to see the Disney Princess recipe results...but they don't like to muss their clothes, you know.  :]

Grammie Bee's Final Note :

Now that Halloween's past and Thanksgiving is coming in a few weeks, I hope you'll allow your Prince Charmings and Little Princesses to help you in the kitchen.  These cookbooks for toddlers and elementery school children are great, and I know you'll find more out there when you look.

Have a happy cooking season with your grands and kids!

Grammie Bee

A good one for moms and dads to know about