Her head notes are sprinkled with homey anecdotes and Yiddish words: of day-old mandelbrot, "Grandma says, 'I could nearly plotz it's so delicious! And the almonds, heaven.' " Zalben's illustrations of pudgy-cheeked bears in little frocks and sweaters are on the schmaltzy side, but her recipes promise to make celebrations tasty affairs.

Note that the recipes aren't especially for children; adult cooks will be needed in many cases.

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Hardcover: 96 pages