The elf on the shelf family cookbook 50 elftastic recipes, plus playful elf ideas, games, activities, and more!

PreS-Gr 3--A new holiday cookbook filled with fun, festive, and family-friendly recipes that are sure to delight. Themed heavily around Elf on the Shelf, the snacks featured throughout this cookbook, such as "Candy Cane Crash Cupcakes" and "Extraordinary Noorah's Meringues," are crafted in a way that radiate cheerful whimsy while also being easy enough for the littlest helping hands in the kitchen. While some of the recipes are quite simple, this is a cookbook for caregivers and their children to use together, and Bell often includes several customizable options so that families can pick and choose variations that suit their tastes. The cookbook can sometimes be a little tricky to navigate, especially if readers are not already familiar with Elf on the Shelf. The first two chapters have nondescript titles that do not explain the common thread among the recipes, and some of the recipe titles are one to three pages removed from the recipe instructions. However, this cookbook will still be a very merry hit in any household looking to add some jolly treats to their holiday feasts. VERDICT For fans of the elf, this cookbook will make a delightful addition to bookshelves.--Jennifer Embree