Book Review
I like the book Easter Treats: Recipes and Crafts for the Whole
Family is an all-encompassing book about the preparations (including
simple table decorations) for the Easter holiday celebration. The
author opens with a brief history of Easter followed by suggestions
for modern day celebrations and a brief overview of some of the
ideas included in the book. There are also brief sections on how
to use this book and cooking and crafting with kids in an age appropriate
way. She is concerned with safe practices when children are helping
out in the kitchen while still making things fun.
I like that the author doesn’t just jump into the crafts,
she starts off by explaining the methods of successfully preparing
the eggs (hard boiling, blowing out the eggs and dyeing them) necessary
for the different projects in the book. I also like that throughout
the book there are little explanations preceding craft instructions
concerning Easter, variations on the craft or recipe or just general
comments. It makes the book more personal than just the instructions
to a project or recipe.
I didn’t like that not all of the craft projects are accompanied
by photos (i.e. secret message Easter eggs and bunny ears). For
the secret message Easter eggs this is ok, the bunny ears would
have been easier with a pattern but as is they aren’t impossible
to make. Patterns, step-by-step instructions or illustrations are
included with some of the projects to make the crafting process
easier.
To round out your Easter celebration there are recipes for appetizers,
salads, main course, dessert and drinks to make up your holiday
feast. The photos of the food items are mouth watering and if your
head isn’t convinced you can fix them your stomach will change
your mind, they are that enticing. Particularly tempting are the
baked ham, the mimosas, the Easter bonnet shortbread cookies and
the Easter bunny cake (which uses white chocolate curls for the
bunny fur instead of coconut which not everyone likes, including
myself). |
