She, of course, provides recipes, too. "Dac Biet: An Extra-Special Vietnamese Cookbook" (Aug. 27) Chef and cooking instructor Nini Nguyen is a child of both Vietnamese immigrants and of New Orleans.

From smoothies and spam musubi to chili and chow mein, this kid-tested cookbook offers more than a hundred recipes for young people (and the less-young, too) to eat, prepare and enjoy.

The top 30 selected recipes will be showcased in the cookbook. Local artist Susan Lintell's illustrations will bring the children's recipes to life. The project aims to also instil healthy eating ...