Comments: A two-part book, only one of which – the cooking part – we feel competent to address. The other half is all about food, yes, but combining it with soaps and fragrant oils to make spa treatments. Everything looks like fun.

The foods themselves are meant primarily for a spa party, include drinks, shakes, smoothies, cookies, fruit dishes, a dairy fondue, cakes, etc. The book says it's for ages 6 and up, but children that young will need lots of attention. Older girls will want a little less supervision.

A hint more kindness in the measuring instructions would be a nice thing. A cup of butter equals what? Two sticks. Surely it would be easier to measure 1/4 cup of light brown sugar than 4 tablespoons. A few of the decorating items and some of the serving containers are going to require a trip to the store – and possibly a specialty store. Some of the edible recipes use soy or almond instead of milk, so there are actually a certain number of choices for vegans.

We are little old sticks in the mud, but we worry now and then that the pressures of society subtly influence little girls to be too sophisticated. We are a little concerned that the photos of so many drinks in goblets and mixed drink glasses may send too much of the wrong message.