Let’s Eat

No food or drink allowed! Although this is the rule in most libraries, there are still plenty of books about food to whet the appetite of even the most finicky reader. Having grown up with Russell Hoban’s Frances, the idea of following in her footsteps by eating nothing but bread and jam seemed incredibly boring (although I did try it once or twice). My food and picture-book epiphany came at about the same time as that little badger’s, and like many children of my generation, I often tried to make my lunch come out even in the end. I also knew that if I lived in Judi Barrett’s town of Chewandswallow, I would be crazy about spaghetti day.

Food is the main ingredient in many picture books, and whether shopping, cooking, or eating, food can bring people together, allow them to identify their individuality, or share their heritage. Books are like food in so many ways. Stories nourish our spirits and imaginations. They bring people closer together and give them a common language. Best of all, like a warm homemade cookie, it is hard to stop after experiencing just one.

The following books include stories of family, adventure, ingenuity, and integrity. Their characters, along with the food they make and share, range from funny to touching, and each one invites readers in for a satisfying treat.—Genevieve Gallagher

Smorgasbord

CHILD, Lauren. I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato. illus. by author. Candlewick. 2000. RTE $16.99. ISBN 0-7636-1188-3; pap. $6.99. ISBN 0-7636-2180-3.
Gr 1-3 –Lola doesn’t eat vegetables. Not ever, no matter what. Luckily her brother has a few tricks up his sleeve. By convincing her that each green, orange, or red item is a bizarre object from outer space or a far-off land, he gets Lola to eat vegetables–including a tomato! Brightly colored illustrations outlined with scribbly black lines define the exuberant characters’ expressions and imaginations.

COOKE, Trish. Full, Full, Full of Love. illus. by Paul Howard. Candlewick. 2003. RTE $15.99. ISBN 0-7636-1851-9.
PreS-Gr 2 –Jay Jay loves Sunday dinners at Grannie’s house. Each time he asks if everything is ready, Grannie finds something else for them to do together. When everyone finally arrives and the meal is ready, the food is as bountiful as the love. Warm tones abound in illustrations that bring this African-American family to life.

D’AMICO, Carmela. Ella Takes the Cake. illus. by Steven D’Amico. Scholastic. 2005. RTE $16.99. ISBN 0-439-62794-X.
K-Gr 2 –A young elephant is tired of being too little to help in her mother’s bakery, so she jumps at the chance to deliver a very special cake. But can she do it without any slip-ups? Softly rendered with a European flair reminiscent of de Brunhoff’s art, the illustrations transport readers into Ella’s world.

LIN, Grace. Dim Sum for Everyone! illus. by author. Knopf. 2001. Tr $14.95. ISBN 0-375-81082-X; PLB $16.99. ISBN 0-375-91082-4; pap. $6.99. ISBN 0-440-41770-8.
K-Gr 2 –As a family dines in a Chinese restaurant, each member chooses a favorite item from carts brought to their table. Through simple text and boldly designed illustrations, this traditional meal is introduced. Youngsters will especially enjoy pouring over the ingredients and little dishes detailed on the endpapers.

PARK, Frances & Ginger Park. The Have a Good Day Cafe. illus. by Katherine Potter. Lee & Low. 2005. RTE $16.95. ISBN 1-58430-171-6.
Gr 2-3 –During summer vacation, Mike joins his parents when they go to work selling pizza, hot dogs, and other snack foods from a cart near the park. Business is slow and there’s lots of competition, so Mike and his grandmother come up with a plan to sell the Korean specialties that remind her of home. Bright pastels illustrate this modern family experience as well as the varied cuisine of the grandmother’s homeland.

ROSENTHAL, Amy Krouse. Little Pea. illus. by Jen Corace. Chronicle. 2005. Tr $12.95. ISBN 0-8118-4658-X.
PreS-K –A little green pea is miserable. His parents insist that he finish eating all of his candy before he can have dessert. Readers will delight in this twist of perspective as Pea gets his dessert–spinach! The watercolor-and-ink illustrations are dominated by the green of the peas, and an excellent use of white space makes the small protagonist almost pop from the pages.

SANGER, Amy Wilson. Let’s Nosh ! 2002. ISBN 1-58246-081-7.
____. Yum Yum Dim Sum. 2003. ISBN 1-58246-108-2.
____. First Book of Sushi. 2004. ISBN 1-58246-050-7.
____. ¡Hola! Jalapeño. 2004. ISBN 1-58246-072-8.
____. A Little Bit of Soul Food. 2004. ISBN 1-58246-109-0.
____. Mangia! Mangia! 2005. ISBN 1-58246-144-9. ea vol: illus. by author. (World Snacks Series). Tricycle. BD. $6.95.
PreS-Gr 1 –These board books are little bites of heaven, just right for introducing new foods from a variety of cultures to young children ready for new taste sensations. With the textures and colors from unique paper, Sanger has created collages that look good enough to eat.

WILLIAMS, Arlene. Tiny Tortilla. illus. by G. Brian Karas. Dutton. 2005. RTE $15.99. ISBN 0-525-47382-3.
K-Gr 2 –Juan Carlos is hot and tired after working in the garden all day. He is looking forward to a nice fresh tortilla, but when he gets to the market, all the tortilla maker has left is a little bit of masa dough. What Juan Carlos discovers, though, is that sometimes all that’s needed is the right touch to transform a little dough into something truly amazing. Breezy, golden illustrations warm the senses.

WILSON, Karma. Bear Wants More. illus. by Jane Chapman. S & S. 2003. RTE $16.95. ISBN 0-689-84509-X.
PreK-1 –Bear has just come out of hibernation, and he is hungry. He eats and eats, “But the bear wants more!” This refrain repeats as readers follow him on his foraging. Eventually, he arrives back home to find his friends and a party waiting for him. Lovely spring colors abound in big, bright illustrations buzzing with comic appeal.

WONG, Janet S. Apple Pie Fourth of July. illus. by Margaret Chodos-Irvine. Harcourt. 2002. RTE $16. ISBN 0-15-202543-X.; pap. $7. ISBN 0-15-205708-0.
ProductGradeLevelK-Gr 3 –In this story of family, culture, and misperceptions, a Chinese-American girl’s frustration with her parents turns to realization that yes, Americans will eat Chinese food on the Fourth of July. The crisply defined shapes of Chodos-Irvine’s distinctive print-making reflect the girl’s changing awareness and capture the spirit of the day.

YOLEN, Jane. How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food? illus. by Mark Teague. Scholastic. 2005. RTE $15.99. ISBN 0-439-24102-2; pap. $4.99. ISBN 0-439-24102-2.
PreS-Gr 1 –With humorous and colorful scenarios, these reptiles and their human parents discover that eating (like going to bed) is better if you put your best foot forward. Teague makes the interplay completely believable, and the multicultural cast of adults appears compassionate, stern, and oh-so-proper.

Serving Suggestions (recipes included)

CASTALDO, Nancy. Pizza for the Queen. illus. by Mélisande Potter. Holiday House. 2005. RTE $16.95. ISBN 0-8234-1865-0.
Gr 1-3 –In 1889, Raffaele Esposito owns one of the best-known pizzerias in Naples. When the queen’s messenger comes to place an order, he is worried. Will her majesty like it? He creates three pizzas, and the queen selects the one with slices of tomato, fresh mozzarella, and basil, ingredients that vividly re-create the colors of the Italian flag.!

CHAMBERLIN, Mary & Rich Chamberlin. Mama Panya’s Pancakes: A Village Tale from Kenya. illus. by Julia Cairns. Barefoot. 2005. Tr $16.99. ISBN 1-84148-139-4.; pap. $6.99. ISBN 1-905236-64-6.
Gr 1-3 –Mama Panya and her son are on their way to market to buy the ingredients for pancakes. Much to her dismay, Adika invites everyone they encounter to share their meal. Through folktalelike pacing and bright folk-art styled paintings, the story unfolds as the guest list grows. Fortunately, everyone arrives with gifts in hand, making for a feast with plenty of food and fellowship.

HOPKINSON, Deborah. Fannie in the Kitchen: The Whole Story from Soup to Nuts of How Fannie Farmer Invented Recipes with Precise Measurements. illus. by Nancy Carpenter. S & S. 2001. RTE $16. ISBN 0-689-81965-X; pap. $6.99. ISBN 0-689-86997-5.
Gr 1-3 – When Marcia’s mother hires a mother’s helper, the child is determined not to like her. Fannie Farmer turns out to be an excellent cook and a wonderful teacher, however, and she records all of her know-how into what eventually becomes her famous cookbook. Whimsical illustrations combine period engravings with pen-and-ink renderings.

OGBURN, Jacqueline K. The Bake Shop Ghost. illus. by Marjorie Priceman. Houghton. 2005. RTE $16. ISBN 0-618-44557-9.
Gr 1-3 –Cora Lee Merriweather is the best baker around, and when she dies her ghost scares away all tenants except Annie Washington. Cora Lee agrees to let her keep the shop if she can bake a cake so wonderful that it brings tears to her eyes. Annie tries everything until she realizes that the one thing Cora Lee needs is a birthday cake. Whimsical watercolors add just the right touch.

PARK, Linda Sue. Bee-bim Bop ! illus. by Ho Baek Lee. Clarion. 2005. RTE $15. ISBN 0-618-26511-2.
K-Gr 2 –In this appetizing introduction to Korean cuisine, a little girl and her mother make a traditional meal of meat, veggies, eggs, and rice all mixed together. Cheerful watercolor illustrations follow the process. The rhythmic text rolls through the pages and makes for a fantastic read-aloud.

STADLER, Alexander. Beverly Billingsly Takes the Cake. illus. by author. Harcourt. 2005. RTE $16. ISBN 0-15-205357-3.
K-Gr 2 –Beverly is making the cake for her friend Oliver’s birthday. She decides on a caramel candy castle cake and spends all week imagining how fantastically super-duper it’s going to be. However, she leaves out a crucial step in her recipe, and her confection is a flop. Luckily, some quick thinking from mom rescues it. Gouache and ink illustrations in pastel tones leave readers longing for a taste.

STEVENS, Janet & Susan Stevens Crummel. Cook-a-Doodle-Doo! illus. by Janet Stevens. Harcourt. 1999. RTE $17. ISBN 0-15-201924-3; pap. $7. ISBN 0-15-205658-0.
K-Gr 3–In this funny and surprising twist on the story of the Little Red Hen, Brown Rooster decides to make a strawberry shortcake. Although the dog, the cat, and the goose won’t lend a hand, iguana, turtle, and potbellied pig are eager to help (and taste). They often misunderstand the recipe’s directions, though, and their confusion tickles the funny bone. Gouache paintings, done on paper actually made from ordinary kitchen ingredients, add spice to a yummy story.

Crowd Pleasers

BARRETT, Judi. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. illus. by Ron Barrett. S & S. 1978. RTE $16.95. ISBN 0-689-30647-4; pap. $6.99. ISBN 0-689-70749-5.
Gr 1-3 –In the town of Chewandswallow, the citizens enjoy the bounties of the skies, and open-roofed restaurants allow diners to catch their dinner. Unfortunately, the weather takes a turn for the worse, and there is no choice but to flee from the falling food. The detailed pen-and-ink illustrations begin in black and white, but as the tale progresses, colors join the black line details. A savory story to share over and over again.

HOBAN, Russell. Bread and Jam for Frances. illus. by Lillian Hoban. HarperCollins. 1964. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-06-022359-6; PLB $17.89. ISBN 0-06-022360-X; pap. $6.99. ISBN 0-06-443096-0.
K-Gr 2 –Frances refuses to eat anything but bread and jam. Eventually, with some help from her friends and her younger sister, she comes to see that variety truly is the spice of life. The pop of color in the pink jam on white bread contrasts strongly with the little badger’s black-and-white fur, making it an effective focal point.

HUTCHINS, Pat. The Doorbell Rang. illus. by author. HarperCollins. 1986. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-688-05251-7; PLB $16.89. ISBN 0-688-05252-5; pap. $5.99. ISBN 0-688-09234-9.
PreS-Gr 1 –When Ma makes cookies, her children are eager to divide them equally. However, each time the doorbell rings, more children arrive, and each youngster’s share in the baked booty diminishes. Just in the nick of time, Grandma enters with an enormous tray of her famous cookies. Math skills and suspense combine in this simple book that features a multiticultural cast of appealing characters.

LORD, John Vernon. The Giant Jam Sandwich. illus. by author. Houghton. 1975. RTE $17. 0-395-16033-2; pap. $6.95. ISBN 0-395-44237-0.
Gr 2-4 –Tired of the wasps that have become a nuisance in their town, the people of Itching Down create a giant sandwich of strawberry jam to trap the buzzing pests. Visual humor is the key to this stylized and clever book that uses line and tertiary colors to make the art buzz right off the pages along with the wasps.

PRICEMAN, Marjorie. How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World. illus. by author. Knopf. 1994. Tr $16. ISBN 0-679-83705-1; pap. $6.99. ISBN 0-679-88083-6.
Gr 1-2 –Where do you go if you need the ingredients to make an apple pie and the market is closed? Well, Italy for wheat, France for fresh eggs, Sri Lanka for cinnamon, and several other places in this worldwide shopping trip that ends with a delicious recipe for apple pie. The watercolor illustrations give readers a taste of each new place with detailed scenes of markets, farms, and landscapes. It’s a trip for the eyes and mouth.

RATTIGAN, Jama Kim. Dumpling Soup. illus. by Lillian Hsu-Flanders. Little, Brown. 1993. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-316-73445-4; pap. $6.99. ISBN 0-316-73047-5.
Gr 1-3 –Marisa’s family is like “chop suey,” with members from many different backgrounds all living on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. In a great mixing together, they gather at grandma’s house to make dumplings for a New Year’s feast. Watercolor illustrations combine realism with a childlike simplicity to bring the food, people, and surroundings to life.

RILEY, Linnea A. Mouse Mess. illus. by author. Scholastic. 1997. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-590-10048-3.
PreS-Gr 1 –When the humans go to bed, Mouse gets into everything in the kitchen: cheese, fruit, cookies, crackers, and more. And, although he manages to clean himself, he leaves the remains of his feast behind. Bold and larger-than-life illustrations make this little mouse’s story as big as his mess.

ROSA-CASANOVA, Sylvia. Mama Provi and the Pot of Rice. illus. by Robert Roth. S & S. 1997. Tr $16. ISBN 0-689-31932-0; pap. $5.99. ISBN 0-689-84249-X.
K-Gr 2 –Mama Provi makes arroz con pollo for her granddaughter, who has the chicken pox. As she carries the big pot up the stairs, she notices wonderful smells coming from the neighbors’ apartments. She stops at each one and offers a bowl of her rice for a bit of whatever they are making. The resulting exchanges and eventual multicultural feast are something to savor.

TORRES, Leyla. Saturday Sancocho. illus. by author. Farrar. 1999. pap. $6.95. ISBN 0-374-46451-0.
Gr 2-3 –Maria Lili wonders how her family will make their Saturday chicken stew when all they have are eggs. She soon discovers that her grandmother is a resourceful and talented bargainer as they travel through their local market trading for all of the ingredients they need. Lovely watercolors capture the details of the marketplace as well as the colorful and wide array of South American specialties.

WELLS, Rosemary. Yoko. illus. by author. Hyperion. 1998. Tr $14.95. ISBN 0-7868-0395-9; PLB $15.49. ISBN 0-7868-2345-3.
K-Gr 2 –Yoko starts school filled with anticipation and carrying a traditional Japanese lunch. Being different can be hard, and her classmates make fun of her unusual meal. Yoko is disheartened, but her mother makes an especially lovely dish for international day at her school. The solution isn’t quite so simple, but readers will enjoy the sweet conclusion along with illustrations that show each tantalizing dish.

ZAMORANO, Ana. Let’s Eat. illus. by Julie Vivas. Scholastic. 1997. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-590-13444-2; pap. $5.99. ISBN 0-439-06758-8.
K-Gr 2 –Every day, Mamá makes a delicious meal for her extended family, but there’s always someone who is too busy to come home. In the end, it’s Mamá who misses a meal or two herself because she has a new baby. Vivas’s signature watercolors bring this tale of family and feasting to life.