What's Cooking?

A whimsical read-aloud of delicious answers to ridiculous questions about what can — and cannot — be done in the kitchen!

Food critic and author Joshua David Stein tackles the world of cookery with his signature quirk and charm. From the practical ("Can I fry a scoop of gelato?") to the playful ("Do frozen peas grow on frozen trees?"), each vignette features an engaging question and a satisfying reveal, all revolving around the preparation of food. The simple yet sophisticated hand-drawings by Julia Rothman provide authenticity and a balance of seriousness to the silliness at hand. Incorporating humor, word play, logic and illogic, foreign foods, and even some cookbook vocabulary, this read-aloud book offers children facts to share and maybe even the impetus to get involved in the kitchen!

Joshua David Stein frequently contributes to New York Magazine, The New York Times, The Sunday Times, and Eater as a food critic, and film and culture columnist. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two sons. He documents his misadventures in 140-characters-or-fewer on Twitter at @fakejoshstein.

Julia Rothman creates illustrations and pattern designs for newspapers, magazines, home goods, political campaigns, museums, and subway posters. She is part of the award-winning three-person design studio ALSO, runs the blog Book By Its Cover, and launched Women Who Draw, a directory of female illustrators. Julia lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.