Some are born cooks, and some have cooking thrust upon ‘em. My father falls into the latter category; recently widowed, he's fending for himself in the kitchen for the first time in, oh, about 80 years.

So I've been searching for a cookbook that covers the basics and offers simple, satisfying recipes for the novice cook. I nearly gave up after looking at a number of cookbooks supposedly aimed at beginners; either the book assumed the user knew more than a true newbie like my dad, or the recipes were too elaborate and exotic for my father's plain palate.

Then, while shopping for Christmas presents at Anthropologie, Matt spotted a book called “Look and Cook,” by Tina Davis. An emporium of elegant, eclectic fashions and home furnishings is certainly not the first place I'd look for a cookbook, but the charming retro style graphics of “Look and Cook” proved as irresistible to us as they must have been to Anthropologie's book buyer.

“Look and Cook” is clearly labeled “A Cookbook for Children,” and contains the disclaimer: “All the recipes in this book should be made with the assistance and supervision of an adult. Cooking is fun, but safety comes first.”

Forget about the fact that its “Dick and Jane” era artwork is so cute Anthropologie's carrying it. Overlook, also, that it's intended for kids. Inside its faux vintage spiral bound jacket lies a mother lode of the kind of helpful tips and information new cooks really need, things like how to measure, how to cook rice and pasta, and how to boil, steam, or sauté vegetables.

All the classic comfort food entrees are here, and the breakfast favorites, too. There are two chapters devoted to desserts, covering everyone's favorite cakes, cookies, and pies, plus chocolate pudding, fudge, and baked apples. There are even chapters on snacks and beverages, things like deviled eggs, grilled cheese sandwiches, hot cocoa, and milkshakes.

These are the kinds of foods my mother made, and my dad likes to eat, but he wouldn't know where to begin. So I bought him a copy of “Look and Cook” for Christmas. After all, it says right on the back of the book that it's got “more than 50 classic recipes for children of all ages.” It's a comfort to me to think that my dad could cook his favorite comfort foods.