SERIES MADE SIMPLE

Cool Basil from Garden to Table

How to Plant, Grow, and Prepare Basil
by Katherine HENGEL
978-1-61783-182-9. ea vol: 32p. (Cool Garden to Table Series). illus. photos. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. ABDO/Checkerboard Library. 2012. PLB $27.07; ebook $27.07.
COPY ISBN
Gr 3–6—These spare books explain how to plant, care for, and harvest vegetables and fruits in a container garden. The instructions are succinct and easy to understand and are accompanied by clear color photographs and illustrations. The titles end with a half dozen recipes featuring the specific crop. The recipe portion begins with three spreads of labeled photographs that show the ingredients, cooking tools, and terms needed. Even with the added explanations, few of the dishes can be accomplished by grade-school age children without some adult assistance. Many of the recipes feature rather sophisticated flavors, such as the "Green Bean Salad" made with shallots and tarragon. Overall, the gardening instructions will be what lure readers.
Each book provides a brief description of the vegetable or herb; how to plant, grow, and harvest it; followed by lengthy picture lists of ingredients, cooking tools, and cooking terms. While not go-to gardening books, the six relevant recipes in each title (e.g., "Creamy Carrot Soup," "Berry Good Vinaigrette Salad") with easy-to-follow steps may help young readers accomplish their cookery goals. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard How-To Library: Cool Garden to Table titles: Cool Basil from Garden to Table, Cool Carrots from Garden to Table, Cool Green Beans from Garden to Table, and Cool Leaf Lettuce from Garden to Table.
Reviewed by Donna Cardon , Apr 01, 2012

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