Let's Eat! A List of Great Cookbooks for Kids!

Hello, everyone, Miss T has been kind of busy and trying to relax for the Summer. Also, I am getting some amazing things ready for Miss T's Book Room. July is upon us and all I can think about is Family Reunions, Back to School Bashes, and more Summer Fun! But do you know what goes great with all these things, Food!

Eating is one of my favorite past times…. I grew up in a Food Loving Family! I come from a long line of great cooks, which consist of my grandmother, mom, aunts, and a few cousins! I was born and raised in the South, so I know that food has a way of touching your soul. As for myself, I like trying out new recipes and trying new foods. 

Food preparation is an art, watching people cook is like watching an artist paint a masterpiece. When you cook, you reveal your creative side! Have you ever watched Chopped and Chopped Junior on The Food Channel? I love those shows! The adults and children must think quickly when given unordinary ingredients. The contestants compete against three or four others and they make the best dish with those unordinary ingredients. During the show, judges taste and critique the food and dismiss one contestant until they’re down to one.  

For kids, cooking can be a great tool to teach creativity, Science, teamwork, math skills, problem-solving skills, and patience. Please encourage your kids to cook with you or have a day set up for the kids to cook a meal for the family. In the past, I have introduced different recipes to kids and they enjoy the recipe and an activity. The time can also be good to introduce healthy food choices. I am sure a lot of people know, but always assist children while they’re in the kitchen.

I have put together a list of great cookbooks for kids! These cookbooks range from international cookbooks, vegan, and vegetarian! If your children adore big plates of pasta, chocolate fudge cookies, or edible slime. Hopefully, you will find down below!

Black Boy Joy, Books, and Boldness

First, I want to state my inspirations for this blog:

1. Kiyonna Anthony, a young man who was accepted into Harvard at the age of 16! 
2. Caleb Green, a four-year old boy who read 100 books and his parents live streamed him reading these books in one day!
3. Trevor Noah interviewing Jason Reynolds!!!Yes!! If you do not know Jason Reynolds, look him and his books up!
4. Last but not least, Black Panther!! #WakandaForever  

Black Boy Joy was in full effect! 

Now, I am sure you could go on and on about some experiences that deserve the hashtag #blackboyjoy. It is a breath of fresh air to read a hashtag as such. There are times when black boys and black men are not given the credit of being great. So many times the media has shut them down and call them THUGS, a delinquent or an embarrassment to society. But they're so much more!!! You're a poet, an artist, a scientist, a professor, you can be it all! There is a song by Esperanza Spalding called Black Gold. The lyrics that stand out are

"Now maybe no one else has told you so

But you're golden, baby

Black Gold with a diamond soul

Think of all the strength you have in you

From the blood you carry within you

Ancient men, powerful men

Built us a civilization...." 

  That song has been on my playlist for a long time and I listen to it often. The lyrics are very powerful and have so much meaning. When I see the words black boy joy, I think of those words written by Spalding. I think of little boys and girls building a great civilization. So feed their minds with as many books as you can, build their library, and tell them that they are Black Gold!
These books are apart of Miss T's Black Boy Joy Collection and some of them you probably have seen a couple of times on my blog, some you haven't . Some of them are about historical figures, athletes, but most of them are just about a little black boy living in a world all his own. I like to see black boys embrace the simplicity of boyhood. Truthfully, I like seeing any boy experience that type of independence.

Be Bold and Build! The world is waiting!

Read it! Write it! Create it!

Girls on the Go! Review of Mystery of the Golden Temple (Pack-n-Go Girls)

Mystery of the Golden Temple is a part of the Pack-n-Go Girls Adventure Series, it embraces the idea of the “global girl” and the power of celebrating differences.  While reading and researching the Pack-n-Go Girls series, I am reminded of Nancy Drew, the Ramona books by Beverly Cleary, and The Babysitters Club books wrapped into one.  There is a sense of empowerment when girls are getting the job done! I am one of those girls that felt empowered when I read books similar to this one and the ones listed.


Mystery of the Golden Temple starts with Jess Johnson and her family at the airport. Unsure of the new venture, Jess is about to experience an exciting feat in a place called Thailand. Jess makes an everlasting friendship and learns so many new things. While reading this book, I discovered that Thailand is shaped like an elephant’s head and the elephant plays an important role in their history. I also learned about food from Thailand and popular dishes (check out the recipe in the book matter). I enjoyed reading the preview of Jess and Nong May’s next adventure after finishing Mystery of the Golden Temple. I am really anticipating the next journey from these two fun and smart girls! Thank you, Janelle Diller, Lisa Travis, and illustrator Adam Turner for helping young readers understand that culture and learning about different places is important and cool!

Websites for Pack-n-Go Girls http://www.janellediller.com/the-pack-n-go-girls-series/  and http://packngogirls.com/

These websites are great resources for the classroom and book clubs. It is awesome to learn about Geography, historical facts, and beautiful landmarks in a fun and exciting way. These books help girls to dream about the endless possibilities of traveling and friendship. Are you Ready for an Adventure?

Girls Run the World!