With help from sliders and spinners, even the youngest sous-chefs can pretend to mix ingredients, pour batter, and dish up a yummy pancake.The first in a projected Cook in a Book series, this toddler-level recipe promises "full interaction and satisfaction" with "no food required!" Nieminen lays out all the required ingredients and kitchen equipment, then uses the latter to pour and blend and whisk the former in proper order. The images are so simplified that some really need their accompanying captions to recognize (a flat yellow rectangle doesn't look much like "2 tablespoons of softened, unsalted butter," for instance, and the "1 greased frying pan" is just a filled-in circle with a green bar for a handle). A slider allows readers to "add the flour" on one side of the page and "pour the milk" on the other, while a spinner allows them to whisk and stir. One of the two silver-dollar-sized pancakes in the pan is a cutout round that can be flipped "when the tops begin to bubble" and, when done, lifted out and pressed onto a plate on the next page—all ready for syrup, fruit, or other condiment. "Delicious!" Real food may not be "required," but only the most unfeeling caregiver would fail to provide it after such an appetizing teaser. (Informational novelty. 2-4)

Toddler-PreS The first in an upcoming series of interactive child-friendly recipe books, this title guides a youngster through the process of making pancakes. It begins with an introduction to the ingredients and utensils needed to successfully execute the recipe. Each subsequent page illustrates a piece of the recipe and allows the child to actively "cook" by pulling tabs and spinning wheels. These interactive features depict an egg being whisked, flour and milk being added, and batter being poured into a pan. A golden brown pancake pops out from the page and can be manipulated from the pan to the serving plate. Simple yet colorful visuals adequately represent the materials and processes that would be done in the kitchen, providing the perfect opportunity for adults to extend the story by carrying out the recipe with actual ingredients. VERDICT Recommended for most picture book/board book collections, this interactive and delightful adventure for the youngest chefs promotes parent/child interaction and cooperation and opens the door to an enriching conversation. Kristen Todd-Wurm, Middle Country Public Library, NY