I enjoy food, I think most of us probably do. Of course there are the things we generally like more: donuts. The things we generally like less: vegetables. But have their benefits and can provoke strong reactions. They also mean obvious tie-ins for story time. I can't say that we do that often (ever) but it is a good excuse to buy donuts. Totally for educational purposes.
We've read a wide range of picture books and these are 11 we've enjoyed that all feature food in some capacity.
1) Dough Knights and Dragons by Dee Leone, illustrated by George Ermos
This is a clever story about knights and dragons who are supposed to fight each other but a knight and a dragon come up with a much better solution instead.
2) The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli
What kid doesn't love watermelon in the summer? (Not mine, him and Dad can go through one pretty quick). And who hasn't wondered what would happen if they swallowed a seed? I'm sure many kids can relate to that worry.
3) Diana's White House Garden by Elisa Carbone, illustrated by Jen Hill
This Diana (not to be confused with me Diana, as I'm sure everyone was) lived at the White House during World War II when her father was FDR's chief advisor. Diana starts a Victory Garden at the White House with help from Eleanor Roosevelt. I'm sure growing the vegetables makes kids at least slightly more likely to eat them??
4) Who Ate All the Cookie Dough? by Karen Beaumont, illustrated by Eugene Yelchin
Kanga wants to make cookies but the dough has gone missing? Who ate it? (If it was in our house, it could very likely be me. Or Luke.) This one always makes me think of my niece who I read it to MANY times when we babysat her last year.
5) Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
While Sal and her mother are picking blueberries to can for the winter, they run into some bears who are doing the same. A classic for a reason. Also, nothing like fresh blueberries.
6) The Seven Silly Eaters by Mary Ann Hoberman, illustrated by Marla Frazee
This mother has the patience of a saint. She has 7 children and each one only eats one type of food. Life gets more complicated as each new kid makes their preferences known.
7) Mountain Chef: How One Man Lost his Groceries, Changed his Plans, and Helped Cook Up the National Parks Service by Annette Bay Pimentel, illustrated by Rich Lo
This is the true story of a Chinese American man who was the chef for thirty people for ten days while those men who dreamed up the National Park system. As it says in the title, he lost his groceries which changed his carefully made plans but it all worked out. An interested story I didn't know anything about!
8) Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast by Josh Funk, illustrated by Brendan Kearney
Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast are good friends UNTIL there is only one drop of syrup left. Who is going to get it? A clever way of bringing life to foods (and there are currently two more follow-up books).
9) Carrot and Pea: An Unlikely Friendship by Morag Hood
Colin is tall and orange and a carrot. Lee is short and round and a pea. They can't do the same things but can they still be friends?
10) Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri
Dragons love tacos because they are smart. However they also don't like salsa. Well, they like salsa but it's not a good idea to have them eat salsa. They get firey.
11) The Hole Story of the Doughnut by Pat Miller, illustrated by Vincent X. Kirsch
The doughnut we all know and love today is thanks to a 14 year old boy who left home in 1843 to set sail as a cabin boy. We owe him a debt of gratitude.
What should we add to our list?
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