Book Review: Eye Candy: Crafting Cool Candy Creations

Eye Candy: Crafting Cool Candy Creations by Dana Meachen Rau
Published by Capstone Press in 2013
Age level: 8-14 years; Grade level: 3-4; Lexile: 790L

Summary: This book has over ten recipes to make candy "crafts." Some of these include a lollipop disco ball, winter icicles made out of rock candy, and an earth bead bracelet. Each recipe has step by step instructions and colorful photos to accompany it. There is even a glossary in the back. The author also helpfully places a "decorator's toolbox" on the first two pages, with a picture of all the tools you will use to make your eye candy. All are basic items that can be found in any kitchen, from wax paper, lollipop sticks, to scissors

 

My Thoughts: This is a very fun book. The cover alone caught my eye. The photos in the book are very colorful, and each step in making the candy is very descriptive. There are also helpful tips for each recipe. However, I think it would have been ever better if the author included pictures of the different steps to making the candy. While the instructions are pretty straightforward, images always help, especially for those who might not be used to cooking or baking. Making candy sushi has been a very popular program at many libraries, for tweens and teens. This book includes a recipe for it as well. There is a glossary at the end, and resources. This book is a teacher or a librarian's dream, and will work well for a tween or teen program.

Of note: This book is just one of many written by Dana Meachen Rau focusing on food for tweens and teens. Some of her others include: Dessert Designers: Creations You Can Make and Eat!, A Teen Guide to Breakfast on the Go, Piece of Cake! Decorating Awesome Cakes, and Smart Cookie: Designing Creative Cookies.