Synergy: Celebrating Food

FOOD is any nutritious matter that plants, animals, or people eat, drink, or absorb to sustain life. Food contains essential fat, protein, carbohydrates, or other nutrients. All living things need energy to grow, heal, and work.

To understand a concept, it’s useful to read a cluster of books related to a theme. Explore these recently published books for young people:

PIZZA, PICKLES, AND APPLE PIE: THE STORIES BEHIND THE FOODS WE LOVE by David Rickert explores the history of food. In addition to historical information, this engaging work of graphic nonfiction incorporates facts about science and nutrition along with fun, hands-on activities. ARC courtesy of Kane Press, an imprint of Astra Publishing House, Inc.

DAVID ATHERTON’S BAKING BOOK FOR KIDS: DELICIOUS RECIPES FOR BUDDING BAKERS written by David Atherton and illustrated by Harry Woodgate shares dozens of recipes for tasty treats including breads, cakes, cookies and sweet treats, pastries, and showstoppers. Along with step-by-step instructions, recipes provide ingredients and sometimes tips. ARC courtesy of Candlewick Press.

LOOK AND COOK SNACKS: A FIRST BOOK OF RECIPES IN PICTURES by Valorie Fisher features a couple dozen easy-to-make recipes for children. After an introduction to cooking, this highly visual cookbook uses photographs and diagrams to present ingredients and procedures. ARC courtesy of Astra Young Readers, an imprint of Astra Publishing House, Inc.

Synergy: Vegetarian

A VEGETARIAN is a person who chooses not to eat meat such as fish, beef, pork, and chicken. Some vegetarians don’t eat animal products such as dairy or eggs. The term is also used to describe meals or places that exclude animal products.

Working in pairs, ask children to create two menus for the day, one traditional and one vegetarian.

Read the recently published informational children’s picture book, then learn more at the websites:

BAKE, MAKE & LEARN TO COOK VEGETARIAN written by David Atherton and illustrated by Alice Bowsher features healthy, green recipes for children. After an introduction, readers explore recipes for  meals, snacks, sweets, and showstoppers. Each recipe includes an overview, ingredients, and step-by-step instructions with useful visuals and useful text. Most of the ingredients are commonly found in grocery stories. ARC courtesy of Candlewick Press.

VEGETARIANISM from Britannica for Kids introduces the concept, diet, and history.

To read the article, go to https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/vegetarianism/609722.

WHAT IS A VEGETARIAN? is a page from the Vegetarian Society that explains the basics of a vegetarian diet.

To read the article, go to https://vegsoc.org/info-hub/definition/.

VEGETARIANISM: THE BASIC FACTS is short article discussing the reasons why people choose a vegetarian diet.

To read the article, go to https://www.eatright.org/food/nutrition/vegetarian-and-special-diets/vegetarianism-the-basic-facts.

Book Review: Food Fight!

FOOD FIGHT! by Tanya Steel tells the story of who ate what and why through the ages.

This highly illustrated work of nonfiction begins with an introduction and food safety tips. The book traces the history of food from prehistoric times to an imagined future on Mars. A food timeline, recipes index, and subject index conclude the book.

This engaging book includes short narratives, photographs and other images, infographics, mini-timelines, sidebars, lists, embedded quizzes, and recipes for each time period.

Librarians will find this attractive book popular with youth who enjoy browsing highly illustrated works of nonfiction. Seek readers among students writing food history reports or those who enjoy learning about food and recipes. Of particular note are the 30 recipes. Teachers will find lots of ideas for bringing history alive for their classes.

Published by National Geographic Kids on September 11, 2018. ARC courtesy of the publisher.