In 1952, the National Bakers’ Association declared that July was National Picnic Month. Celebrate by eating—and reading—al fresco! Not hungry yet? You will be after checking out these books.
KIDS
By Molli Jackson Ehlert & Fanny Liem
Feiwel and Friends, 2024
Why is it important to eat, and where does food come from? Short, simple text and illustrations answer these questions while empowering readers to make delicious choices.
By Joyce Wan
Hippo Park, 2025
Adorable, personified foods from burritos and tacos to apple pie and crepes teach readers the alphabet.
By Jenny Alvarado
Holiday House, 2025
Emi and her Papi make churros every Friday, but after Papi gets a new job, the tradition may be lost unless Emi takes charge.
By Antwan Eady & London Ladd
Knopf, 2025
Southern food and family traditions are celebrated in this uplifting story told through a boy’s eyes.
By Valorie Fisher
Astra, 2024
Berry bagels, egg bombs, and more breakfast foods are featured in this cook book whose instructions are completely image-based.
TWEENS
By Jacqueline Davies & Karen de la Vega
Clarion, 2025
This comic is an adaptation of the author’s 2007 novel about a brother and sister who compete to sell the most lemonade in the last five days of summer vacation.
By Maria Marianayagam
Harper, 2025
Ajay succumbs to peer pressure and steals a candy bar that unexpectedly could lead him down a path to riches—or big trouble.
By Shaina Lu
Quill Tree, 2024
Momo and her best friend Bao must save their ahma’s restaurant— and the entire neighborhood—from a rich business developer.
The Super Secret Mission to the Center of the Moon (Pie)
By Melissa de la Cruz
Disney/Hyperion, 2025
A group of kids are sent on a mission to space, but a crash landing on the moon interrupts their orders … or does it?
The Ultimate Science Cookbook for Kids
Highlights, 2025
Build edible race cars, pretzel log bridges, marshmallow dinosaurs, and more, learning and munching at the same time.
TEENS
By Allegra McEvedy & Alice Bowsher
DK, 2024 R
Recipes in this cook book are for the more serious young chef, containing some long lists of yummy ingredients and seasonings for up to twelve steps of instructions.
By Makiia Lucier
Clarion, 2024
Hanalei of Tamarind is exiled after her father steals a seadragon egg, but when she is offered a chance to return home, she and an old friend must work together to retrieve the dragonfruit.
By Alexis Castellanos
Bloomsbury, 2024
Ana Maria dreams of becoming a pastry chef, and her only hope to win a life-changing recipe competition is a member of her family’s rival bakery.
By Oliver Gerlach & Kelsi Jo Silva
Soup must stand up to her evil restaurant boss and win a cooking competition to save the only home she’s known.
The Official Stardew Valley Cookbook
By ConcernedApe & Ryan Novak
Random House, 2024
Fans of Stardew Valley will recognize the fifty recipes based on in-game meals in this mixed media cook book.
This article originally appeared in the Summer 2025 issue of (585) Kids.
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