Lizzie is a little chef and is determined to show her grandma that she can cook just like her. However, she can't recreate the recipe exactly right!

It's really a simple book and thus it is a simple review of it. However, more what speaks to me is the personal connection I have to "Little Chef."

This picture book reminds me of my Nana. She was the one who taught me to cook. She taught me to make gnocchi, cannoli, eclairs, and mashed potatoes. I could not go to the memorial service so instead, Garrett, Scott, and I did our own thing. I attempted to recreate her gnocchi and her cannoli. I chalk it up to being emotional.....but they did NOT work. It was quite bad. Yet you know what, Nana would have loved it anyway. Because we made it.

Wow books are reminding me of Nana these days., ( )

Excited at the prospect of having her grandmother over for dinner, young Lizzie is determined to do a good job making the Super Special Smashed Sweet Potatoes that this beloved relative enjoys. Making a plan, shopping at the farmer's market (together with mom), watching as mom and dad prepare the potatoes, and then smashing them up, Lizzie is fully invested in every step of the process. Finally, almost done, she must find the secret ingredient that every good chef needs, to make her cooking outstanding...

Husband-and-wife team Matt Stine and Elisabeth Weinberg make their picture-book debut with Little Chef, a sweet, family-centered story apparently inspired by their own child. The artwork by Paige Keiser has a humorous, somewhat scribbly style that reminds me of Matthew Cordell's work, somehow. Children who are interested in cooking will undoubtedly find the story here appealing, as will those who long to be like a beloved grandparent, and it is to such young people that I would recommend the book. ( )