Determine the scope of the cookbook you plan to write. For example, a cookbook that covers everything from appetizers to desserts is going to involve more focus and extensive preparation on the part of the young users than a cookbook that revolves around how to make sandwiches for school and easy snacks for friends.
Consider the accessibility of ingredients for your recipes as well as whether the tools to make them can be found in most household kitchens. Examples: mixing bowls, measuring spoons and cups, baking sheets, spoons, casserole dishes and cutting boards.
Choose recipes for inclusion that are easy to follow and appeal to young taste buds. Examples: macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, pudding, cookies, pancakes and tacos.
Divide each recipe entry into a list of ingredients and their measurements, the tools needed to put the recipe together and sequential steps that identify how the items are to be mixed, cooked and presented. If substitutions are allowed, make note of these, too, as this will give the young cook a chance to experiment with different ingredients such as meats, vegetables and spices each time the dish is prepared.
Supplement your recipe entries with color photographs of the steps and what the finished product should look like. If it's a recipe that has been handed down through the generations, include some background information about this family memento.
Test each recipe by supervising a child's ability to understand the directions and put everything together on her own. Listen to her feedback insofar as what was easy and what was confusing and needs to be clarified with simpler language or additional steps.
Design a colorful cover for the cookbook, create a table of contents and include an index at the back. Also include a short glossary of cooking terms that were used in the text.