Emily Snook: The World’s ­Smallest Cook

K-Gr 2–Emily Snook has been a cook since the age of two, when her grandfather began teaching her the culinary arts and preparing foods from many different countries. When a cooking contest is announced for kids, Emily consults Grandpa about whether she’s too small to join, and he assures her she’s not. But when contest day arrives, Emily discovers she is not only the smallest, but she has to use the cooking utensils provided, which are way too big for her little hands. Even reaching the counter is a challenge for her. She truly begins to doubt if she has what it takes to create the soup, mac and cheese, and sorbet that are required for the contest. A reminder from her grandfather—“Believe in yourself”—is just what Emily needs to keep going. Emily and her grandfather have dark skin, while other characters are presented with various skin tones. One of the child contestants is shown wearing a hijab. Colorful digital and acrylic illustrations fill the majority of every page.