Books about nutrition that are written as children's books first and teaching tools second are more likely to hold children's interest and convey messages about the important of healthy eating. Likeable characters in age-appropriate books whose stories, lives and choices mirror what children experience in their own lives help children identify with different food and nutrition issues characters may encounter.
By involving children in choosing, preparing and cooking food, they become connected to the food they eat and they better understand why certain foods are more or less beneficial than others. By helping to create and cook meals, children gain a sense of accomplishment and pride.
The Edible Pyramid
"The Edible Pyramid: Good Eating Every Day," updated in 2007 by Loreen Leedy, uses animals, colorful illustrations and witty text to help children learn about eating a balanced diet. The School Library Journal describes this book as a way to teach children about portion control, food groups, and balanced diets. The feline headwaiter at the Edible Pyramid Restaurant describes food choices and helps animal diners choose healthy, balanced meals from a menu based on the food pyramid.
Eating the Alphabet: Fruits and Vegetables from A to Z
The California School Garden Network recommends Lois Ehlert's book, "Eating the Alphabet: Fruits and Vegetables from A to Z," which takes young children on an alphabetical journey into the world of vegetables and fruits from apricots to zucchini.
Publisher's Weekly, quoted on Amazon.com, says this book encourages children and parents to add exotic and nutritious foods to mealtime and uses watercolor illustrations to display an array of fruits and vegetables. Ehlert provides a detailed glossary with pronunciation, botanical facts, mythological references and a history of each food.
Pretend Soup and Other Real Recipes
Cookbooks written for children encourage participation in activities such as measuring, following instructions and making healthy decisions, as well as cooking. Spending time together in the kitchen can bring parents and children closer together.
Mollie Katzen's books focus on teaching children to understand, prepare and eat nutritious foods. Katzen's colorful, easy-to-follow cookbooks include "Pretend Soup and Other Real Recipes: a Cookbook for Preschoolers and Up," "Salad People and More Real Recipes: A New Cookbook for Preschoolers & Up," and for older children, "Honest Pretzels and 64 Other Amazing Recipes for Cooks."
According to the University of North Carolina's public television network, UNC-TV, "Pretend Soup and Other Real Recipes" is designed to inspire children to acquire food literacy and appreciate wholesome and creative food.
I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato
"I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato," written and illustrated by Lauren Childs, is a humorous story about a picky eater who has a list of forbidden foods and her big brother who is trying to convince her to eat healthy foods. "I Will Never Ever Eat a Tomato" offers playful text and mixed-media art while teaching children about trying nutritious foods they think they won't like.
The Monster Health Book
"The Monster Health Book: A Guide to Eating Healthy, Being Active & Feeling Great for Monsters & Kids!" by Edward Miller, contains fun facts about different foods, nutrients, reading nutritional labels and making healthy food choices. The School Library Journal says "The Monster Health Book" features a friendly, rotund, green monster determined to make smart choices when it comes to food, exercise and health. Many children enjoy the picture book format, graphic-style illustrations and humorous text.
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