Expert pediatric dieticians Bridget Wardley and Judy More combine their expertise and personal experiences as parents to write not just another typical cookbook but a health conscious cookbook with parents of younger children specifically in mind. The book, divided into 5 sections, contains 365 recipes to enhance your child’s diet with quick, easy, fun and healthy dishes.

Section 1 contains important nutritional information focusing on healthy eating for children and tips for providing a well balanced diet for even the youngest children, which is vital to their immune systems, brain development and overall good health.

Sections 2 thru 4 provide information and recipes divided by age beginning with weaning and the introduction of first foods, toddler dishes and finally tasty meals for 3-6 year olds. Although the recipes are aiming to please the younger palate, many of the recipes for the 3-6 year olds are sure to please the entire family. Parents will find a variety of dishes such as Moroccan lamb with couscous for the older infant to chicken fajitas for the entire family.  Handy notes in the side columns provide preparation times as well as storage suggestions.

Section 5 provides 7-day meal planners divided by age allowing parents to create menus using recipes from the book. A pantry list and kitchen hygiene tips are an added bonus.

Overall, The Big Book of Recipes For Babies, Toddlers & Children is a wonderful cookbook for parents as well as an excellent nutritional resource.  

Tammy Pinarbasi is a Mason City native and stay at home mom who enjoys spending time with family and friends.