
Age rating and parents' guide:Cooking
by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi
Ages 2–5
Cooking by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi is best for children aged 2–5. It has no violence, nothing scary, no romance and no bad language.
Step into the kitchen to prepare a hearty meal! From peeling potatoes and grating carrots to slicing squash and washing beans, a helpful child tackles each vegetable task alongside Mom. Encourages children to share their own family stories and feelings.
Content ratings
How much of each a parent can expect, from none to strong.
- Violence
- None
- Scary moments
- None
- Romance
- None
- Bad language
- None
Content checked by Dhiraj Bodade, co-founder of Bookstaken, on .
At a glance
- Picture book
Books like Cooking
Similar stories for the same ages, none more intense than this one should be for its youngest readers.

Ages 2–5
Where is my cat?
by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi
A young boy searches high and low for his sneaky black cat. As he checks under the bed, on top of the cupboard, behind the couch, and beyond, the playful feline stays just one step ahead in a delightful game of hide-and-seek. A charming way to spark conversations about animals and empathy.

Ages 2–5
What are you doing?
by Nina Orange
What are you doing right now? Through joyful actions like singing, waving, clapping, stretching, and listening, a lively group of children demonstrates everyday verbs. Keeps curiosity alive and invites readers to imagine what comes next.

Ages 2–5
Look at the animals
by Jenny Katz
Meet all the noisy animals on a busy farm! From the mooing cow and bleating goat to neighing horses, grunting pigs, clucking chickens, and barking dogs, each creature makes its own lively sound until the hardworking farmer asks for a little peace and quiet. Invites curiosity about animals and the lives they lead.

Ages 2–6
The hungry crocodile
by Christian G.
A very hungry crocodile sneaks slowly and quietly through the water in search of something to eat. When the perfect moment arrives, he leaps into action with a giant strike, ending up completely satisfied—at least until his appetite returns! Invites curiosity about animals and the lives they lead.

Ages 2–6
School clothes
by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi
Getting ready for school isn't simple when nothing seems to fit quite right! A young girl tries on her school uniform pieces one by one, discovering that her dress is too long, her sweater is huge, and her hat is comically tiny. A relatable read that encourages conversations about school and growing up.

Ages 2–6
I like to read!
by Letta Machoga
A young boy loves books and searches his house looking for someone to read to. His baby sister is fast asleep in her crib, his mother and grandmother are occupied in the kitchen, and his father and grandfather are hard at work fixing the car. Encourages children to share their own family stories and feelings.
A good book is the start. A mentor makes it stick.
In a free 1:1 session, a trained Bookstaken mentor reads with your child, asks what they think and helps the reading habit last.
Questions parents ask
Q: What age is Cooking for?
Q: Is Cooking appropriate for a 2 year old?
Q: What should my child read after Cooking?
Love books yourself? Get paid to read with kids as a Bookbuddy