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Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons – A Delightful Picture Book Dictionary for Kids about Fairness and Cooperation
Everyone knows cookies taste good, but these cookies also have something good to say. Open this delectable book to any page and you will find out something about life.
Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons is a new kind of dictionary, one that defines mysteries such as "fair" and "unfair" and what it really means to "cooperate."
The book is by turns clever, honest, inspirational, and whimsical. Go ahead, take a bite!
Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons is a new kind of dictionary, one that defines mysteries such as "fair" and "unfair" and what it really means to "cooperate."
The book is by turns clever, honest, inspirational, and whimsical. Go ahead, take a bite!
40 pages, Hardcover
First published May 2, 2006
4 people are currently reading
559 people want to read
About the author
Amy Krouse Rosenthal
89 books1,093 followersSHORT BIO:
Amy Krouse Rosenthal was.
She divided her time.
NOT SO SHORT BIO:
Amy Krouse Rosenthal was a person who liked to make things.
Some things she liked to make include:
Children's books. (Little Pea, Spoon, DuckRabbit)
Grown-up books. (Textbook Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life)
Short films. (The Beckoning of Lovely, The Money Tree)
Guided journals. (The Belly Book)
Something out of nothing. (see above)
A longtime contributor to WBEZ and to the TED conference,
Amy lived with her family in Chicago and online at whoisamy.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews
April 2, 2009
Of all the children's books I have read (and believe me, I've read hundreds!) this is definitely in the top ten. I not only love the book, but also the way my girls respond to it and the questions they ask while we read it.
August 12, 2008
I guess I’m a sucker for schmaltz but I really enjoyed this book. I love the author using cookies to perfectly and simply describe various human attributes. The illustrations of children with animals in seemed really fresh and they were really lovely. It’s a great book to introduce important vocabulary to preschoolers and a great opportunity for discussion with early reader age kids. Warning: Readers of all ages will really want to eat cookies.
August 4, 2018
This is a cute children’s book that uses cookies in different contexts to demonstrate the meaning of words such as honest, trustworthy, proud, etc. Great way to demonstrate these concepts to kids!
February 24, 2020
Author Amy Krouse Rosenthal explores a variety of emotions and themes in this cute picture-book, using the activity of baking cookies to define various complex concepts. Every word highlighted here, from proud to modest, fair to unfair, is related to how one makes, shares and/or consumes chocolate chip cookies...
Although these sorts of inspirational picture-books are not usually my cup of tea, I have to say that reading Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons was made more poignant for me by the knowledge that the author recently passed away, after writing a very moving piece about her husband in The New York Times. Leaving that aside, I can see this title coming in very handy, in exploring concepts relating to ethical behavior and emotional experiences with younger children. The artwork by Jane Dyer is colorful and appealing, depicting a diverse range of children, and a number of adorable animal companions. Recommended to anyone looking explicitly for children's books to use in the explorations of manners and morals.
Although these sorts of inspirational picture-books are not usually my cup of tea, I have to say that reading Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons was made more poignant for me by the knowledge that the author recently passed away, after writing a very moving piece about her husband in The New York Times. Leaving that aside, I can see this title coming in very handy, in exploring concepts relating to ethical behavior and emotional experiences with younger children. The artwork by Jane Dyer is colorful and appealing, depicting a diverse range of children, and a number of adorable animal companions. Recommended to anyone looking explicitly for children's books to use in the explorations of manners and morals.
February 12, 2022
This book pulls off an astounding feat. Every page shows a child in the process of making chocolate chip cookies together with a little behavior definition that sort of sneaks in. Some examples from the book: “Cooperate means how about you add the chips while I stir?”, “Patient means waiting and waiting for the cookies to be done”, “Modest means you don’t run around telling everyone you make the best cookies even if you know it’s true”, “Respect means offering the very first cookie to your grandmother.” I loved this book.
January 23, 2009
A common frustration among people anywhere is not having the words, the right words, to describe how they are feeling. This book is brilliant. Not only are children being introduced to a new or wider vocabulary, but they are learning what the words mean in a very basic but thought-provoking manner.
October 24, 2022
For Skylar Christmas 2015
11/24/22 Read with Caleb
11/24/22 Read with Caleb
August 31, 2016
Amy Krouse Rosenthal's approach to children's books is something I generally like. She takes those important (and sometimes overdone) big concepts - self esteem, individuality, and in this case, manners - and gives them a fresh face that appeals to modern, 21st century kids.
In a list of definitions reminiscent of A Hole is to Dig, Rosenthal gives us her advice on how to live and how to treat others using a cookie theme.
Here are three examples from the book:
Trustworthy means... If you ask me to hold your cookie until you come back, when you come back I will still be holding your cookie.
Fair means... You get a bite, I get a bite. You get a big bite, I get a big bite.
Unfair means... You get a bite, and now I get the rest.
Rosenthal does an excellent job of defining abstract ideals using the simple, familiar image of a batch of cookies, and Jane Dyer has illustrated the book with beautiful paintings of kids and animals alike enacting what Rosenthal's words recommend. I can imagine this would be a useful book to use in a preschool or kindergarten classroom, and also for families to share when learning about how to treat one another.
A tasty little book, and highly recommended.
Read at preschool story time on 12/12/11: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...
In a list of definitions reminiscent of A Hole is to Dig, Rosenthal gives us her advice on how to live and how to treat others using a cookie theme.
Here are three examples from the book:
Trustworthy means... If you ask me to hold your cookie until you come back, when you come back I will still be holding your cookie.
Fair means... You get a bite, I get a bite. You get a big bite, I get a big bite.
Unfair means... You get a bite, and now I get the rest.
Rosenthal does an excellent job of defining abstract ideals using the simple, familiar image of a batch of cookies, and Jane Dyer has illustrated the book with beautiful paintings of kids and animals alike enacting what Rosenthal's words recommend. I can imagine this would be a useful book to use in a preschool or kindergarten classroom, and also for families to share when learning about how to treat one another.
A tasty little book, and highly recommended.
Read at preschool story time on 12/12/11: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...
May 26, 2017
Please know my rating is not meant to demean the author. However, I do strive to give an honest appraisal of the books I read so I am choosing not to censor this review.
This is a book about moral values using cookies to spread the messages. There is absolutely nothing wrong with these lessons. But, it is not anything new or different or noteworthy. This is the stuff of Hallmark cards, tug-at-your-heart advertisements, and a plethora of similarly styled literature. To me, it is the sort of book you would give a preschool teacher or a grandchild when you needed to give them a gift but didn't know the person particularly well. Decent illustrations, mild, inoffensive fare, but not one that stands out. The kind of book that winds up on end cap displays and in sales bins. If you are looking for a gift item or coffee table fodder for an office this is your ticket.
This is a book about moral values using cookies to spread the messages. There is absolutely nothing wrong with these lessons. But, it is not anything new or different or noteworthy. This is the stuff of Hallmark cards, tug-at-your-heart advertisements, and a plethora of similarly styled literature. To me, it is the sort of book you would give a preschool teacher or a grandchild when you needed to give them a gift but didn't know the person particularly well. Decent illustrations, mild, inoffensive fare, but not one that stands out. The kind of book that winds up on end cap displays and in sales bins. If you are looking for a gift item or coffee table fodder for an office this is your ticket.
July 8, 2008
Too sweetly cute really for my taste, but I could see how this would appeal to a lot of parents and some kids. The concept of defining words using cookies as a metaphor is fun, but the pastel, country-esque illustrations, populated primarily by anthropomorphized animals and idealistically adorable little tots tip the whole book over the edge into territory I prefer not to occupy. There's no traditional narrative and the entire package feels more like a gift book for graduates rather than something actually intended for children. The most mediocre of this year's Monarch offerings so far.
March 23, 2011
22 months - a rather complex book on manners and meaning behind some abstract concepts using something everyone loves, cookies!
You loved this book and although I thought it might be a bit over your head you've had me read and talk about it a dozen or more times. We will come back to this book later as the need to talk about manners arises.
The illustrations and use of cookies for the subject are wonderful.
You loved this book and although I thought it might be a bit over your head you've had me read and talk about it a dozen or more times. We will come back to this book later as the need to talk about manners arises.
The illustrations and use of cookies for the subject are wonderful.
June 11, 2012
First of all, I LOVE the cover! This is a delightful picture book that defines and illustrates various character traits/adjectives like patient, modest, trustworthy, compassionate, etc. through the baking, eating, and sharing of cookies. The illustrations are so sweet, and I would use the book for introducing character traits and/or talking about a classroom culture anyone would be proud to build.
June 26, 2009
Here's my confession. I love this book so much that I have to buy my own personal copy for myself. I hogged this book all last year in my library and kids didn't get to check it out. I resolve to be a better and more generous library media specialist next year. I will let kids check out Cookies: Bite-Size Lessons and perhaps order another copy.
November 18, 2018
Want to read it again, more slowly, with cookies.
April 24, 2019
Loved this book of lessons. Great analogies using cookies!
May 17, 2021
First sentence: Cooperate means, How about you add the chips while I stir?
Premise/plot: Amy Krouse Rosenthal defines words (mainly virtues though not always) using cookies as illustrations. Each definition offers a 'bite-size' life lesson.
Respect means offering the very first cookie to your grandmother.
Trustworthy means If you ask me to hold your cookie until you come back, when you come back, I will still be holding your cookie.
Greedy means taking all the cookies for myself.
Generous means offering some to others.
Sometimes the definitions involve dialogue. But she doesn't use quotation marks to mark it as such. She uses a different font--a cursive one.
Her book features human characters and animal characters. They seem to be very interchangeable.
My thoughts: I first read this one in October 2006. I did review it in 2006 on Becky's Book Reviews back when I didn't use book titles as post titles. I titled this one Can A Cookie Be a Teacher?
I loved it then. I loved it now. I think the definitions still ring true. The illustrations are still super-cute bordering on precious. There are other books in this cookies series. I'm not sure I'll be revisiting all of them. But I'll try to review more of her books if I can find them.
I honestly don't remember--the book was published in 2006--if I bought this book because I loved it so much or if it was a review copy. My memory is not that good!
Premise/plot: Amy Krouse Rosenthal defines words (mainly virtues though not always) using cookies as illustrations. Each definition offers a 'bite-size' life lesson.
Respect means offering the very first cookie to your grandmother.
Trustworthy means If you ask me to hold your cookie until you come back, when you come back, I will still be holding your cookie.
Greedy means taking all the cookies for myself.
Generous means offering some to others.
Sometimes the definitions involve dialogue. But she doesn't use quotation marks to mark it as such. She uses a different font--a cursive one.
Her book features human characters and animal characters. They seem to be very interchangeable.
My thoughts: I first read this one in October 2006. I did review it in 2006 on Becky's Book Reviews back when I didn't use book titles as post titles. I titled this one Can A Cookie Be a Teacher?
I loved it then. I loved it now. I think the definitions still ring true. The illustrations are still super-cute bordering on precious. There are other books in this cookies series. I'm not sure I'll be revisiting all of them. But I'll try to review more of her books if I can find them.
I honestly don't remember--the book was published in 2006--if I bought this book because I loved it so much or if it was a review copy. My memory is not that good!
February 24, 2025
Great vocabulary and lessons through cookies! Fabulous illustrations of children and animals.
September 30, 2018
This book is precious to me! Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons, is a book that holds a lot of meaning for me because my grandmother used to read it to me when I was little. Over the course of my life, we have baked a lot of cookies together. This book uses the theme of "cookies" to teach younger kids advanced vocabulary words in a way that is simple and straight forward. The examples given for each word relate to children in an a situation they would understand. The illustrations are so classic and well done and the writing on each page is simple, allowing the vocabulary words to take center stage. I also love that the characters throughout the book are children of different races and ethnicities! There are also a variety of cute animals that make appearances throughout the story. The best part is that the words are all traits and characteristics that matter and understanding these words will help children to become more compassionate, trustworthy, generous, respectful, and patient (just to name a few). The book is definitely written for younger ages, but honestly, every time I read it, even as an adult, I find myself gaining fresh understanding of these words all over again! Cookies is truly good read!
October 1, 2019
Uses cookies to illustrate socio-emotional terms like "fair" and "compassionate" and "respect", which could be useful, but I didn't find the definitions to be anything really new. I really didn't like the illustrations, but if you do, you may like this book more than I did. I'll still with other Rosenthal works.
September 11, 2009
If you have a five to seven year old, this is the book for you. It adorably teaches abstract concepts like courage, loyalty, honesty, and envy from the standpoint of... well, eating cookies. Beautifully, simply, and virtuously written, this book deserves to be on every child's bookshelf. If you'd like a preview (without, sadly, the beautiful and endearing illustrations) try the Nodcast Podcast, which has a session of Rosenthal reading this, and Little Pea, along with two songs, one for each book.
May 17, 2015
I need to get this one for my classroom library! When I first looked at it, I was skeptical- it's kind of just definitions/examples, rather than a story. However, as I kept going, I realized, what a perfect way to work on definitions and understanding character traits in context! What each word means in the same context, in the same situations, so kids can really get it! Many kids only know "optimism" and "pessimism" only in the context of a glass of milk. Respect is a word they hear, something to give grownups, but what does that look like? GREAT book!
October 7, 2015
What a fantastic exploration of big, important concepts in a way that is accessible to children! Important words like courageous, optimistic/pessimistic, compassionate, trustworthy--every page as important and precise as the next. Every word is perfect--so carefully chosen--and Jane Dyer's illustrations are spot on--look at the expression on that proud face! (The hair on these children took me back to when I read her Animal Crackers with my young children!) And all the "definitions" revolving around the act of baking and eating cookies--so smart, fun, and effective!
December 21, 2008
A leadership meeting in our church (RS Stake Mtg.) was themed all around this book. Teaching manners, cooperation,sharing,patience etc. can all be taught by a cookie! It even has a cookie recipe in the back of the book for you to make.
This is a must have book. The illustrations and messages are beautiful and serene. If you are looking for a last minute Christmas present for your kids or a book loving adult that you know, this is the book for you. Enjoy and share a cookie for me!
This is a must have book. The illustrations and messages are beautiful and serene. If you are looking for a last minute Christmas present for your kids or a book loving adult that you know, this is the book for you. Enjoy and share a cookie for me!
March 9, 2011
Amy Krouse Rosenthal does it again. She has created a book that touches everyone -- no matter their age. Her "Cookie" books are a wonderful way to teach vocabulary & life lessons in relation to something we all love: cookies.
I plan to share her "Cookie" books with my MH students as a way to help define words & explore different types of literature. I also plan to use with my LA students (or maybe the LIFE group) to talk about ways to teach life lessons.
Recommended age: EVERYONE!!!
I plan to share her "Cookie" books with my MH students as a way to help define words & explore different types of literature. I also plan to use with my LA students (or maybe the LIFE group) to talk about ways to teach life lessons.
Recommended age: EVERYONE!!!
March 30, 2011
Cute picture book to use as a class read aloud on the first day of school for young children. An instructional book that uses feelings and emotions paired with explanations. It uses cookies as analogies to teach kids important life traits such as compassion and courage. Could be paired with a discussion of classroom expectations and classroom community.
"Lovely pastel watercolor illustrations. A brilliant idea. Delightful to look at."
— School Library Journal
"Lovely pastel watercolor illustrations. A brilliant idea. Delightful to look at."
— School Library Journal
April 5, 2011
This story could be used to introduce new vocabulary to children. The vocabulary is embedded within the text. Although it does not give the specific definition of each word, it gives the reader clues about what the words mean. Students could listen to the sentences to determine what each new word meant. In addition to learning new vocabulary, students will be learning small "life lessons" such as how to be respectful, compassionate, patient, and more.
April 12, 2012
I love all of the Rosenthal/Dyer "Cookie" books. Through the simple act of baking a batch of cookies, we learn the meaning of various abstract behavioral concepts: honest (I ate an extra cookie), patient (I can wait for them to finish baking), respect (I give Grandma a cookie before taking one for myself). These are so sweetly done, not preachy or judgmental, just matter-of-fact in tone with illustrations of children and animals showing their best behavior.
August 3, 2012
There's something in the subtitle or description of this book that mentions "school-age kids" or the like. I totally disregarded that and tried to read this to my own preschoolers a couple of years ago. Big flop.
Picked it up this week and it's spot on for kids heading off to school in a few weeks (some for the first time). Nicely illustrated, great kid-friendly "definitions" of important words, and an all around great book.
Picked it up this week and it's spot on for kids heading off to school in a few weeks (some for the first time). Nicely illustrated, great kid-friendly "definitions" of important words, and an all around great book.
March 17, 2014
Such a cute book! I love how the book uses cookies as lessons, because I love cookies and it makes me like it even more. But I thought the different words of emotions and actions are very important for children to understand, and what it makes them feel like. Sometimes they do not always know how to react, but this book provides many great examples of what is right and what is wrong! Very cute great book!
April 22, 2014
Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons is an awesome book that teaches life lessons by using cookies. It teaches things such as gratitude, fairness, and respecting others. Children can relate to this book because its said in simple terms by using something that almost all children love. This is a great book to share with your class and perhaps read to them because it touches on a lot of qualities that children should work towards better improving.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews