Review by Booklist Review
Breakfast, lunch, dinner / Every day, we eat and eat. / But I'm still hungry! Newbery Honor-winning Lin and science author McKneally join forces with illustrator Zong to explore the five food groups fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, and dairy as well as the nutritional balance needed to give children energy and keep them healthy. Taking up half of each two-page spread, Lin's childlike and often pun-laced haiku (i.e., I've always wondered: / Do brown chickens lay brown eggs? / My thoughts are scrambled) will appeal to younger audiences. Side panels contain McKneally's intriguing responses to questions such as, Why do beans make you gassy? and Why are some cheeses so stinky? which are perfect for older readers and might even capture the interest of adults. Zong ties both narratives together with brightly colored acrylic depictions of playfully inquisitive, ethnically diverse children. McKneally closes with an acknowledgment that not all scientists agree on what constitutes a healthy meal, which emphasizes how changeable the landscape of nutrition guidelines can be. Includes a fairly comprehensive, one-page glossary of food terms.--Lock, Anita Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-In this lively and informative book, graceful and often humorous haiku lead into well-written text that provides solid facts and interesting tidbits about the five food groups and what to eat to be healthy. Typical kid questions are answered, and young listeners will learn everything from why popcorn pops to the gassy properties of beans. Christina Moore narrates in warm, clear tones. However, the book's illustrations are vital for full understanding of the text. VERDICT This is a well-done recording with good production values. It's most useful as a read-along rather than a listen-alone. ["This title will slip gently into the curriculum with nary a bit of fat or gristle to be seen": SLJ 5/16 review of the Charlesbridge book.]-Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary, Federal Way, WA © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
This child-friendly poetic introduction to nutrition answers questions about why we eat (i.e., food provides energy) and about the foods we need to be healthy. Most spreads include a lively haiku paired with a straightforward scientific narrative that explains each food group lucidly. Zong's cheerful acrylic illustrations set on a farm feature multiethnic children and colorful foodstuffs. Additional informative paragraphs are appended. Glos. (c) Copyright 2017. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
This scientifically based exploration of the five food groups showcases their components and nutritional relevance by posing and responding to questions kids frequently ask. Briefly explaining why we eat, the text examines each food group: fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods, and dairy. After defining a fruit, listing examples, and discussing their nutritional value, the text investigates what makes fruits sweet and colorful. The vegetable section opens with the difference between fruits and vegetable and moves on to why many vegetables are green and why it's important to eat vegetables. Describing "what makes a grain a grain," the text explains the difference between brown and white breads and "what makes popcorn pop." Protein foods are discussed as important building blocks followed by explorations of why lean meats are healthier than fatty and "why do beans make you gassy?" The final, dairy-group section explores the sources of milk, its composition, and nutrients as well as the difference between whole milk and skim and "why are some cheeses so stinky." The clearly written, fact-based text concludes with advice on balancing food groups. Each double-page spread features a haiku that encapsulates the topic or subtopics explored and a prose sidebar that goes into detail. Colorful, acrylic illustrations featuring five inquisitive, racially diverse kids exploring food production on a farm add visual focus and lighthearted humor. Playful poetry and palatable prose provide a useful, kid-friendly introduction to nutrition. (glossary) (Informational picture book. 5-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
