Kids are always on the lookout for new ways to prove their devotion to their pets, and this entry in the Cool Baking series will slake that undying thirst. . . .The first half of the book is more about cooking in general and features an appealing, catalogue-style spread of cooking tools, a breakdown of common ingredients, and basic techniques like greasing baking sheets and rolling out dough. Layout and photography is top-notch and incorporates plenty of relaxing white space. . . .[This is] a strong overall package.

The page count in this series of baking books is evenly divided between fundamentals of basic techniques such as measuring, creaming, and beating, and about a half-dozen recipes. A note to adult helpers begins each volume. The step-by-step directions are easy to follow, and the recipes—ranging from pound cake to pumpkin bread—have plenty of kid appeal.

A retro look and appetizing photos are among the best features of these information-rich books. Safety, tools, supervision, and ingredients are addressed in introductory sections, followed by seven easy recipes per volume. Children are encouraged to try variations on the recipes and to experiment, but to seek adult guidance where appropriate. . . .These titles will be excellent for teaching procedural writing and are fun to check out. . .