Food Fight!

Food Fight! By Carol Diggory Shields, illustrated by Doreen Gay-Kassel 2002

This story reveals the antics of the inhabitants of our refrigerators when the lights go out. The play on words are absolutely hilarious so you won’t mind reading it over and over, which is the request you will get from your child. The evening in the kitchen starts out jovial enough, but then takes a turn for the worse when the tuna fish have the nerve to tell the garlic “You stink!” The dramatic expression on each food or container really begins to take shape, and the puns come at a fast pace.

“The rice got steamed and popped the corn, “Chill out, you guys,” The ice cubes warned. But the punch kept punching, and the cream got whipped, the chips threw the crackers in the guacamole dip.”

The clay artwork by Kassel adds to the humor of the text perfectly. After reading this story you may be opening you refrigerator at lightning speed in the morning to see if any food is scurrying back to it’s place.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Carol Diggory Shields on Amazon

The Beeman

The Beeman by Laurie Krebs, illustrated by Melissa Iwai 2002

“Here is my Grandpa, who’s known in our town as the Beeman.”

So begins a heart-warming story about the pride a little girl has for her wonderful Grandpa and his important job. In a singsong text modeled after “The House That Jack Built”, we learn the important steps taken in the bee-making process. The tools used during each season are introduced, and the appreciation for the bees is apparent throughout. Enjoy the honey of their labor after reading this delightful story.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Laurie Krebs on Amazon

Melissa Iwai on Amazon

Thanksgiving Is Here!

Thanksgiving Is Here! By Diane Goode 2005

Grandma and Grandpa’s house is the place to be on turkey day. The family tumbles in from the cold and everyone contributes to the preparations. Somebody is reading, somebody is eating, and other people are greeting the family as they enter in.

“At Grandma’s house the chairs don’t match…but we don’t mind. We all have a place at the table.”

Goode’s illustrations accurately chronicle the comforting chaos and ridiculous ruckus of a family who loves each other, and has an abundance of things to be thankful for. The story ends sweetly with the silence and satiation of a day wrapped up in joy.

Appropriate for ages 3-8

Diane Goode on Amazon

The King's Taster

The King’s Taster by Kenneth Oppel, illustrated by Lou Fancher & Steve Johnson 2009

The cook of the castle makes the most delectable meals for the king, but the king refuses to eat. Max is the king’s taster, and he loves his job.The chef is justifiably frustrated, and he takes Max with him to foreign lands with the goal of finding the most delicious recipes to coax the king to eat. Their efforts are futile, until Max discovers the real reason behind the king’s spoiled appetite.

The artwork is clever, and mysterious, with collage used throughout. Those who are picky eaters, and those who aren’t, will get a tasty kick out of this story.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Lou Fancher on Amazon

One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims

One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims by B. G. Hennessy, illustrated by Lynne Cravath 2001

This delightful book about the first Thanksgiving is a great introduction to the history of the holiday. A familiar rhyme is used to showcase the everyday lives of the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag. As autumn draws closer they reap the benefits of their hard work all year, and enjoy a shared celebration. Everyone unites to prepare the feast, and then enjoy the bounty at a celebratory picnic.

"Turkey, cornbread, cranberry stuffing. Pumpkin, cider, Indian pudding. Clams and oysters-tummies growling. Let's give thanks and then we'll eat!"

Hennessey includes informative endnotes to expand on the foods and activities mentioned in the story. The artwork by Cravath is full of warmth, and joy.

Appropriate for ages 3-8

B. G. Hennessey on Amazon

Lynne Cravath on Amazon

Blueberry Mouse

Blueberry Mouse by Alice Low, illustrated by David Michael Friend 2004

A petite, blue mouse dwells in her blueberry house, and turns up her nose at cheese even if it’s blue. She speaks highly to us, and her mouse friends, about the benefits of dwelling in a blueberry pie. It gives her shelter, as well as a plethora of delicious snacks. As her belly fills, her house dissipates, and so she starts all over again.

“Blueberry, blueberry, blueberry cake is the best kind of house that a small mouse can make.”

The colors of Friend’s illustrations are rich and inviting. Watch out, you may be smacking your lips and heading to the market after devouring this book.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Little Farm by the Sea

Little Farm by the Sea by Kay Chorao 1998

The busyness and importance of small farms is rendered here with clarity. It takes daily hard work to run a farm, and the jobs of each season are explored. Animals are born, produce is shared, and the community is enriched because of this small farm by the sea. There are fun details to discover on each beautifully illustrated page. A trip to a small farm or farmer’s market in your town is sure to follow.

Appropriate for ages 3-8

Kay Chorao on Amazon

Ginger Bear

Ginger Bear by Mini Grey 2007

On the title page Horace stares into a pastry-shop window full of gingerbread boys, which prods him to form a gingerbread creation of his own. When his gingery bear is cooked, he practically salivates over it, but his Mum tells him to wait until later. When Ginger Bears awakens, he traipses into the kitchen to quench his loneliness by whipping up a big batch of cookie friends. He has many decorations on hand, and the way he adorns each cookie is strange and funny all at the same time. The Circus that ensues is so dramatic and riveting, that the cookies don’t see the uninvited guest enter the kitchen. The pieces left behind help Ginger Bear realize that it’s time to move on to a career that is safer, but no less dazzling.

Grey’s artwork is hilariously creative, and the details of each character (whether human, canine or pastry) will lodge themselves in your memory.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Mini Grey on Amazon

Feast for 10

Feast for 10 by Cathryn Falwell 2008

The preparations for a festive meal begin at the grocery store. The shopping cart fills up fast with contributions from each child in the family. Ingredients for a delicious feast multiply in this counting book with rhyming text. The children help during each step of the process, except the baby who fell asleep on the ride home.

The importance of every family member is apparent as ten hands work together. There is a feeling of cozy warmth in the cut-paper illustrations by Falwell. This book reminds us that being together as a family brings much joy.

Appropriate for ages 3-6

Cathryn Falwell on Amazon

Minnie's Diner: A Multiplying Menu

Minnie’s Diner: A Multiplying Menu by Dayle Ann Dodds, illustrated by John Manders 2007

Five brothers begin their day of strenuous work on the farm. They are brought to attention by the imposing shadow and demanding voice of Papa McFay.

“But Papa forgot there was nothing finer than the scrumptious food at Minnie’s Diner. And soon, down the road from Minnie’s kitchen, wafted a smell that got the boys itchin’.”

Soon each brother listened to their grumbling tummy and entered into Minnie’s diner. Will, the youngest boy, had the special of the day, which included five different items. All of Will’s brothers follow his lead, but each one is twice as hungry as the others and therefore “makes it a double”. Papa McFay, noticing that the farmyard is empty, guesses correctly where his boys are. He is hoppin’ mad, but Minnie’s fare will satiate him.

Kids will enjoy this rhyming read so much they won’t even realize they’re practicing their math. Manders artwork shows Minnie transform from an accommodating waitress to a weary woman who finally turns the sign to closed.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Dayle Ann Dodds on Amazon

John Manders on Amazon

How Are You Peeling?: Foods with Moods

How Are You Peeling?: Foods with Moods By Saxton Freymann and Joost Elffers 2004

This amazingly creative and original story is full of thought provoking questions. Vegetables and fruit emoting every kind of expression roll across each page. Your child may relate to a jovial lemon, a flabbergasted pepper, or a jealous tomato. The expressive black-eyed peas used for the eyes are genius. You will never look at a display of produce the same again.

Appropriate for ages 3-8

Saxton Freymann on Amazon

Joost Elffers on Amazon

The Donut Chef

The Donut Chef by Bob Staake 2008

A donut chef opens his shop on a busy corner and is confident it will be a huge success. Soon a competitor moves in next store, and the donut-making duel begins. The fight between the two chefs gives birth to donuts bizarre, and strange tasting. They become more interested in besting each other, and don’t pay enough attention to their customers. When little Debbie Sue arrives she seems stunned by the array of donuts, but can’t seem to find her favorite. The donut chef declares,

“We’ve donuts laced with kiwi jam, and served inside an open clam! Donuts made with huckleberry. (Don’t be scared; they’re kind of hairy).”

None of these will do for Debbie Sue. Her request stuns the chef, but he obliges, and realizes that simple is sometimes the most delectable.

My child and I were enthralled with the retro illustrations and vivid colors from Staake. This story will produce a smile, and perhaps a rumble in the tummy.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Bob Staake on Amazon

Who Made This Cake?

Who Made This Cake? By Chihiro Nakagawa, illustrated by Junji Koyose 2008

A crew of miniature construction workers begins building. The tools they use may seem familiar, such as a dump truck and a crane, but the material they are working with is curious. Sweet ingredients are deftly mixed together, and their creation is precariously placed in the oven. During the baking time, the crew rests and enjoys a snack, until the whipped cream is expertly applied. The teamwork and creativity involved in the process is inspiring.

Koyose’s black ink drawings, filled in with bright colors, are fantastic. Your child will smile with the young boy in the story as he receives his birthday cake, under the watchful eyes of the miniature bakers.

Appropriate for ages 3-6

The Red Lemon

The Red Lemon by Bob Staake 2006

Farmer McPhee is ecstatic the lemon trees are ripe and ready for harvest.

"There's nothing like lemons.

This fruit isn't mellow.

They're tangy!

They're tasty!

They're tart-

and sooooooo

yellow!"

This chant by Farmer McPhee is followed by a list of delicacies all flavored by the yellow lemon. His pride turns to astonishment and then anger as he spots a red lemon among the yellow orbs. In a fit of disgust he grabs the red fruit and hurls it onto an island in the sea.

Little did he know that a bustling city would grow up around a grove of the red fruit that was "six times as sweet" as the yellow kind. The island had become a destination, and all because of Farmer McPhee and his good aim.

The world that Staake has created with his bold, dynamic illustrations is akin to that of Dr. Suess. His modern artwork has a graphic-arts feel, rendering objects and people as basic shapes.

Appropriate for ages 3-6

Bob Staake on Amazon