Guide to categories: Kid Review – review of books for elementary-aged and younger children

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About the Book

Book: Liam and the Cooking Disaster

Author: D. R. Whitehead

Genre: Middle Grade Fiction (Chapter Book)

Meet the boys of the Messy Adventures in Friendship Bro Squad Series. Get ready to encounter different friendship situations and see what messy friendship adventures Kevin, Liam, Grayson, and Miles have for you to explore. Created by the author of the Messy Adventures in Friendship Series.

Liam loves to cook, but his creations always end in culinary disaster! When a cooking competition is announced, Liam decides to enter. His chances of winning seem impossible until he decides to pair up with the school’s infamous mean girl, Shayla. She may be known for being mean and having a bossy attitude, but there’s no denying her talent in the kitchen. Will Liam be able to put aside his dislike for Shayla and work together to win the competition, or will their conflicting personalities lead to disaster?

Click here to get your copy!

My Kid Review

Whitehead, D.R. Liam and the Cooking Disaster. 2026.

Messy Adventures in Friendship: Bro Squad

As someone who loves to watch cooking shows, I loved the plot line in Liam and the Cooking Disaster. I’d actually love to see a cooking program based on the ideas presented in this story.

Unfortunately, the book could have done with a little better editing job. There were several pages with weird spacing in the middle of sentences and between paragraphs. Making small adjustments in the placement of the illustrations could have prevented some of this.

Whitehead incorporates several lessons that kids of this age need to learn – following directions, being kind, and stepping up for what is right. She also addresses being willing to look “outside the box” for solutions.

Liam and the Cooking Disaster would be a great addition to a K-12 Christian school library. It is appropriate for upper elementary students.

I received a complimentary copy of Liam and the Cooking Disaster. This is my honest review.

About the Author – D. R. Whitehead

D. R. Whitehead is a Christian Children’s author who has been writing for several years. She is dedicated to providing books for the youth to read and enjoy. The author currently resides in New York and enjoys time with her family and going to the beach.

More from D.R. Whitehead

🎉 Blog Tour Kick-Off: Liam and the Cooking Disaster 🎉

Welcome to the blog tour celebrating Liam and the Cooking Disaster—a fun, funny, and heartwarming middle-grade adventure that proves teamwork can be the secret ingredient to success! Filled with humor, friendship, and plenty of kitchen chaos, Liam and the Cooking Disaster is a delightful read for ages 8–12.

👩‍🍳 Why Young Readers Will Love This Book

Laugh-out-loud cooking mishaps
A relatable underdog hero
An unlikely friendship that grows throughout the story
A fast-paced competition that keeps readers turning pages
Positive messages about teamwork, perseverance, and looking beyond first impressions

🍫 Bonus Fun: Recipes Included in the Book!

One of the sweetest parts of this book is that the fun doesn’t stop when the story ends. Readers can head to the kitchen and try recipes inspired by the book, including:

Chocolate Syrup Cake

A delicious treat perfect for aspiring bakers who want to create something sweet after finishing the story.

Oobleck

Part science experiment, part kitchen fun, Oobleck is a hands-on activity that’s sure to delight curious minds. Is it a liquid? Is it a solid? Readers can discover the answer for themselves!

🌟 Perfect For Fans Of…

Funny middle-grade adventures
School competition stories
Books featuring friendship and personal growth
Cooking-themed books and kitchen adventures
Hands-on activities and recipes

📚 Join the Blog Tour!

Over the coming days, be sure to follow along as we celebrate Liam and the Cooking Disaster with reviews, features, spotlights, and more. There will be plenty of opportunities to learn about the book, meet the characters, and discover why this entertaining story is sure to become a favorite among young readers.