Loukoumi's Celebrity Cookbook

Gr 3–6—Communities of all kinds put together favorite recipe compilations, and although this book features a celebrity community, there's a similar quaintness and simplistic tone to it. The book opens with a story about a lamb, Loukoumi, and her friends, a dog, a monkey, and a cat, that are hungry. The cast of flatly illustrated, cartoon animals joins Aunt Cat Cora, who gives tips about making a cake. The recipe follows, with the table of contents finally appearing on page 22, divided into sections: "Weekend Breakfasts," "Lunchtime Favorites," "After School Snacks," "Family Meals," and "Delicious Desserts." Stock-looking photos and a quote from celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston, Ellen DeGeneres, Olympia Dukakis, Al Roker, Ernie Anastos, Taylor Swift, and Justin Timberlake accompany the recipes without any specific instructions for children in the kitchen. The inclusion of some familiar faces from the Disney Channel may not be enough of an appeal for a young audience to page through the entries from talk-show hosts, soap-opera stars, and actors from movies and network TV shows.—Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library