Best Kids Books with Baking
Best Kids Books with Baking
A list for kids who love baking and eating good food
Word Baking Day has inspired us to collect some of our favorite books that feature memorable baking scenes. Please share your favorites in the comments below!
“Mrs Forrester ... sat in state, pretending not to know what cakes were sent up, though she knew, and we knew, and she knew that we knew, and we knew that she knew that we knew, she had been busy all the morning making tea-bread and sponge-cakes.”
― Elizabeth Gaskell, Cranford
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Our Favorite Chapter Books with Memorable Baking Scenes:
Adventures with Waffles by Maria Parr- This book will take you through high highs and low lows and is an amazing read aloud.
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery- Marilla’s life is so full of baking and cooking and, by extension, so is Anne… but if something can go wrong in an ultimately humorous way- it will for Anne. This is another excellent read aloud.
Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder- While Farmer boy is a part of the Little House on the Prairie series, it’s the only title to focus on Alonzo’s childhood and works beautifully as a stand alone title. Mother Wilder has a weekly baking day that will make your mouth water.
Homer Price by Robert McCloskey- This is another book to laugh over together. When an automatic donut maker becomes unstoppable hilarity ensues. I loved this one as a kid and was thrilled that it hit the same funny spot for my kiddos.
Midsummer’s Mayhem by Rajani LaRocca- This delightful Shakespeare retelling makes a great summer read for all your aspiring bakers. I was delighted by how many laugh out loud scenes it contained.
Our Favorite Picture Books with Memorable Baking Scenes:
The Apple Cake by Nienke van Hichtum- A verbose picture book for the whole family about a little old lady who goes off to trade her plums for apples to make the apple cake she desires. A sweet story of caring and sharing.
Apple Cake: A Recipe for Love by Julie Paschkis- This is a beautiful little love story for bakers and readers alike. If you’re looking for a lovely picture book for friends entering an interracial marriage this would make a gorgeous shower gift!
The Blueberry Pie Elf by Jane Thayer- Jane Thayer & Seymour Fleishman teamed up on this delightful blueberry pie loving elf story over 50 years ago and we’re so grateful that Purple House Press keeps it available to this generation!
Bon Appetit! The Delicious Life of Julia Child by Jessie Hartland- The pages of this picture book biography are chock full of little illustrative details and tidbits of knowledge on Julia’s life and cooking tips.
Cakes and Miracles: A Purim Tale by Barbara Diamond Goldin- A hope filled Purim tale of a young blind boy who wants to bless his mother by helping with the baking and receives heavenly inspiration.
The Duchess Bakes a Cake by Virginia Kahl- A comical tale of baking gone wrong when advice isn’t taken and the small child who offers a happy solution.
A Fine Dessert: Four Centuries, Four Families, One Delicious Treat by Emily Jenkins- Follow a blackberry fool recipe through the ages and then follow the recipe and make your own! Be sure to read the author’s note on her research to illustrate period correct clothing.
The Gardener by Sarah Stewart- In this Depression Era story a young girl moves in with her baker family and transforms their corner of the city with all the seeds she brought with her. A hope filled story in a time of hardship.
Gingerbread for Liberty!: How a German Baker Helped Win the American Revolution by Mara Rockliff- A Revolutionary Era picture book biography of an unsung hero who stepped up and supported the war efforts with the gifts and resources he possessed.
Independence Cake : A Revolutionary Confection Inspired by Amelia Simmons, Whose True History Is Unfortunately Unknown by Deborah Hopkinson- How’s that title for a mouthful? Amelia Simmons authored the first cookbook by an American and this fictionalized biography will inspire any child looking to bake a recipe on a scale involving 15 pounds of flour.
Night Shift by Jessie Hartland- Having worked in a bakery for a year as a teen I appreciated the recognition bakers received in this book of those who work through the night to bless their community during the day.
Max and Ruby's Midas: Another Greek Myth by Rosemary Wells- Ruby tries to cure Max of his obsession with cupcake and sweets through a reimagining of the King Midas story. Does it work? If you know Max…
Mr. Hermit Miser and the Neighborly Pumpkin by Christine Noble Govan- This is a wonderful story of returning people to community using the lever of their love of pumpkin pie! So grateful to Smidgen Press for bringing it back into print!
Pancakes, Pancakes! by Eric Carle- A step by step look at a little boy gathering the necessary ingredients from his mother to make him pancakes.
Pies from Nowhere: How Georgia Gilmore Sustained the Montgomery Bus Boycott by Dee Romito- An unsung hero of the Civil Rights Movement, Pies from Nowhere highlights different moments in the movement from Rosa Parks, boycotts, segregation, Martin Luther King Jr., and highlights the fuel that food was able to provide to those taking a stand.
Snipp, Snapp, Snurr and the Gingerbread by Maj Lindman- Three little swedish boys fall into gingerbread batter and find themselves mistaken for gingerbread men by a princess.
Sugar and Spice and Everything Mice by Annie Silvestro- A wonderful story of humility, playing to our strengths, and accepting help. All great examples for new little bakers!
Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco- Would a best baking books list be complete without including Thunder Cake? I think not! Race with the characters around the farm to gather the ingredients you need before the rain overtakes you. A recipe for making your own Thunder Cake is included.