What's Cooking, Alex? (Alexandra The Great)
#1 in Alexandra The Great Series
on Goodreads (5)
What’s inside...
Alexandra Bond is a ten-year-old girl with an ordinary life that includes school, a younger brother, a best friend, an arch enemy, and a pet dog. Despite being extraordinarily ambitious and determined, her journey toward achieving her lofty goals, which include Mensa, the Oscars, or stepping into Nigella Lawson's shoes, is fraught with obstacles. Her nemesis, Pearl, is set on sabotaging her, and Alexandra's inclination for disaster doesn't help. Fortunately, her supportive sidekicks and vivid imagination ensure that she triumphs in the end.
Discussion points
What do you think Alexandra learned about cooking in this story?
How do you think Alexandra felt when she was in the kitchen?
If you could create your own dish like Alexandra, what ingredients would you use?
Why is it important to help others, like Alexandra helped in the kitchen?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the cooking experiences described in the book.
Relate the kitchen adventures of Alexandra to your child’s own experiences in the kitchen, whether helping out or observing.
Ask your child to think about a recipe they would like to try making, discussing each ingredient they would choose.
Discuss the importance of teamwork and helping each other, drawing examples from Alexandra’s interactions in the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of teamwork
Explanation: In 'What's Cooking, Alex?', the protagonist, Alex, works with her friends to accomplish tasks in the kitchen, emphasizing the power of collaboration.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by working together with their peers in school projects or during team sports, learning to value each other's input and support.
Example Lesson: Creativity in problem-solving
Explanation: Alex faces various challenges in the kitchen and uses her creativity to find solutions, such as using alternative ingredients or inventing new recipes.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think outside the box and use their imagination to overcome obstacles in daily tasks or homework.
Example Lesson: Responsibility and independence
Explanation: Throughout the book, Alex takes on the responsibility of cooking and managing the kitchen, which showcases her growth in independence.
Real-World Application: Kids can be encouraged to take on small responsibilities at home, like helping in meal preparation or organizing their rooms, to foster their autonomy.
Example Lesson: Nutritional awareness
Explanation: Alex learns and discusses the nutritional value of different foods, promoting healthy eating habits.
Real-World Application: This can prompt children to make healthier food choices and be more aware of what they eat, contributing to their overall well-being.