Knead It, Punch It, Bake It!

Knead It, Punch It, Bake It! is the perfect introduction to bread baking for kids of all ages. Judith and Evan Jones first wrote this book in 1981. When they updated it in 1998, they added illustrations as well as fresh new recipes. The writing bursts with the sounds and smells of bread, so you make French bread that is a "chewy, deliciously crackly loaf." Once you and any young assistants have mastered this recipe, and the basic White Bread, Sourdough, Piazza and Focaccia, you can move on to more unusual choices. There are cornmeal hoe cakes to make in a skillet, doughnuts to fry, bagels to boil, and pretzels to twist. Comforting baked goodies are here, like Ginger Bread and Zucchini Bread, plus Blueberry Muffins, puffy Popovers, and gooey Sticky Buns, making this a comprehensive little volume. There are even playful projects, including Flower Pot Bread, to organize for a classroom or scout troop.

Understanding the difference between talking simply and talking down, the Joneses have written a classic that makes the adventure of baking comfortable for inexperienced adults, as well as for children. --Dana Jacobi