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"Look! I'm Cooking!" brings together nutrition science, art of cooking and child development in one practical guide designed for families. Grounded in evidence and built around hands-on experiences, it helps children explore food with confidence and curiosity.
More than a collection of recipes, every activity is designed to become a learning experience. Through cooking together, children gradually build independence, develop a positive relationship with food and lay the foundation for lifelong healthy eating habits.
More than a collection of recipes, every activity is designed to become a learning experience. Through cooking together, children gradually build independence, develop a positive relationship with food and lay the foundation for lifelong healthy eating habits.
More than a cookbook
03
You want healthy eating to grow naturally rather than through pressure.
You want healthy eating to grow naturally rather than through pressure.
04
You want cooking together to be enjoyable without turning the kitchen into chaos.
You want cooking together to be enjoyable without turning the kitchen into chaos.
05
You value experiences that build independence, confidence and skills for life.
You value experiences that build independence, confidence and skills for life.
01
Your child tends to eat the same food, and you want to add more variety to their meals.
Your child tends to eat the same food, and you want to add more variety to their meals.
02
You're looking for simple, healthy recipes that children can genuinely enjoy making and eating.
You're looking for simple, healthy recipes that children can genuinely enjoy making and eating.
This book is designed for parents who want to help their children build a positive relationship with food from an early age. Through simple cooking experiences, it brings nutrition education, child development and quality family time together in one practical guide.
Is this book for me?
You'll find this book especially helpful if...
Learning through food
helps children
develop
Why cooking matters?
Cooking is about much more than preparing food.
Every cooking experience can become a meaningful food learning experience, bringing together nutrition learning, practical life skills and child development. This book helps children learn through cooking while building a positive relationship with food.
As children gradually become more confident in simple cooking tasks, make independent decisions and build skills that extend far beyond the kitchen.
Every cooking experience can become a meaningful food learning experience, bringing together nutrition learning, practical life skills and child development. This book helps children learn through cooking while building a positive relationship with food.
As children gradually become more confident in simple cooking tasks, make independent decisions and build skills that extend far beyond the kitchen.
Get a free excerpt
Navigating the "Helping Mom" chapter in the Book
Discover how the book combines nutrition science, art of cooking, and child development through simple, hands-on learning activities. Download a free excerpt and explore the approach before you buy.
This chapter includes soup, main course, and appetizer recipes. Each recipe provides a list of ingredients and presents the cooking instructions in a convenient table format, designed for collaborative use by parents and children.
Recipe page 3:
Illustrated step-by-step instructions children can follow independently.
Navigating the “Recipes” chapter in the Book
Recipe page 2:
Child-friendly ingredients and utensils checklist.
Recipe page 1:
Complete recipe, nutrition notes and
cooking tips.
cooking tips.
Inside the book
The book is organized in 7 main chapters:
1. Kitchen Utensils: meet the essential kitchen tools children learn to use independently.
2. Cooking Skills: ten foundational cooking skills introduced step by step.
3. How to use recipe cards: learn how to use the child-friendly recipe system.
4. Easy Healthy Recipes: recipes to build confidence.
5. Next Level Recipes: more challenging recipes as skills grow.
6. Helping Mom: recipes designed for children and adults to cook together.
7. Questions and Answers: a compilation of the most frequently asked questions
1. Kitchen Utensils: meet the essential kitchen tools children learn to use independently.
2. Cooking Skills: ten foundational cooking skills introduced step by step.
3. How to use recipe cards: learn how to use the child-friendly recipe system.
4. Easy Healthy Recipes: recipes to build confidence.
5. Next Level Recipes: more challenging recipes as skills grow.
6. Helping Mom: recipes designed for children and adults to cook together.
7. Questions and Answers: a compilation of the most frequently asked questions
The recipes start you off easy with the “Easy Healthy Recipes” chapter and progress in difficulty in the “Next Level Recipes” section. From breakfasts and snacks to healthy desserts and afternoon tea ideas, we’ve got you all covered!
Each recipe is illustrated in three pages:
Each recipe is illustrated in three pages:
This book was written to help children develop confidence and independence through cooking. Designed for young learners, it introduces healthy eating, practical life skills and nutrition through simple, age-appropriate cooking experiences, while giving parents a clear framework to support the journey.
Created by Natalia Samoilova — nutrition educator, founder of Cooking Lama and parent — together with her daughter Amelia, who inspired and contributed to the book throughout its development, the book reflects years of practical work in children's food education, combining evidence-informed principles with real-life cooking experiences.
Created by Natalia Samoilova — nutrition educator, founder of Cooking Lama and parent — together with her daughter Amelia, who inspired and contributed to the book throughout its development, the book reflects years of practical work in children's food education, combining evidence-informed principles with real-life cooking experiences.
Created for children. Trusted by parents.
What families are saying
Reviews and stories shared by parents and young learners.
We'd love to hear from you
Every family's cooking journey is unique. Share your cooking journey.
Has your child tried one of the recipes?
We'd love to hear how it went. Share a photo or a few words about your family's experience by emailing info@cookinglama.com.
We'll send you our complimentary Parent Guide:
Top 5 essential kitchen tools for kids
Has your child tried one of the recipes?
We'd love to hear how it went. Share a photo or a few words about your family's experience by emailing info@cookinglama.com.
We'll send you our complimentary Parent Guide:
Top 5 essential kitchen tools for kids
About the author
Natalia Samoilova is the founder of Cooking Lama, a Food Learning Programme Architect,
Nutrition Educator and author of Look! I'm Cooking!
Cooking Lama is built around food learning experiences that help children develop a positive relationship with food by combining nutrition education, art of cooking and child development in one practical approach for families, institutions and communities.
At the heart of Cooking Lama is Lama the llama - a curious guide who encourages children to explore food, develop confidence, mindful eating, and build lifelong skills through exploration.
Nutrition Educator and author of Look! I'm Cooking!
Cooking Lama is built around food learning experiences that help children develop a positive relationship with food by combining nutrition education, art of cooking and child development in one practical approach for families, institutions and communities.
At the heart of Cooking Lama is Lama the llama - a curious guide who encourages children to explore food, develop confidence, mindful eating, and build lifelong skills through exploration.
- Advanced Child and Brain Development Nutritional Advisor, Certified Nutrition Consultant
- Writer of the book "Look! I'm cooking!" (in 40+ countries)
- 20+ years of experience in education, sport, children's leisure activities
- Education: Stanford University, International Institute of Integrative Nutrition, The Health Sciences Academy, Saint Petersburg State University
FAQ questions
You can buy the book in hardcase cover or softcover formats. E-book is coming soon. Here are some features of each type:
- Hardcase cover book: for lifetime usage. It makes a wonderful gift for your family & friends. It is pricier than the other formats, but it offers exceptional value.
- Softcover book: ideal for daily usage. The quality of paper is excellent. It is more affordable than the hardcase version but still an excellent choice.
Absolutely! Especially in the "Next Level Recipes" chapter. They are not only challenging and interesting but also highly nutritious and well-rounded.
Beyond the book
Eager to continue your journey beyond our book? Join our community of like-minded readers and cookbook owners (both children and parents) around the world who’re passionate about nutrition and strive to build a healthier future for the next generation.
Approaching food education from a holistic lens—we view each child as a well-rounded human being. At Cooking Lama, we offer edutainment programs with a unique blend of culinary skills and nutrition knowledge.
Approaching food education from a holistic lens—we view each child as a well-rounded human being. At Cooking Lama, we offer edutainment programs with a unique blend of culinary skills and nutrition knowledge.