Cook with Clydeo: A Cookbook for Kids

Gr 5 Up–Aniston has been a household name for since the 1990s, and cooking connoisseurs may already be familiar with the character based on Aniston’s rescue dog, Clyde, from the picture book, Clydeo Takes a Bite Out of Life, and YouTube cooking videos. Clydeo organizes his cookbook by breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks/sides, desserts, and of course, one dog treat. It is definitely a plus that meals are designed to be weeknight-friendly for busy tweens. This book lacks ratings for beginner, intermediate, or advanced, especially for the crepes, and does not note that in some cases, adults should be supervising. Aniston explains some cuisine-related terms like mise en place and jus, but not definitions of ramekin, roux, and sayings like “la dolce vita.” “Clyde’s Tips and Tricks” and paw print notes have recipe suggestions with substitutions or additions. The book has a growth mindset about being kind to yourself when making mistakes, taking time to practice learning new skills, and asking for help. Aniston adds campy humor about lunch being sandwiched between courses, and cute puppyisms like how funfetti cookies are belly rubs for the soul.