Tales for Very Picky Eaters

Gr 1-3--James is a very picky eater, but after hearing his father's alternatives, he reconsiders. Dad's choices are outrageous and will have children laughing and turning the pages. In the first of five, "The Tale of the Disgusting Broccoli," it's either eat the broccoli or eat dirt "walked on by the most skilled chefs"; "fine gum, carefully chewed"; or a "very sweaty sock." In another tale, James eats mushroom lasagna that "smells funny" because he doesn't want the troll that lives in the basement to lose his job as cook. The sophisticated yet silly humor will appeal to new readers wanting something a little different. The comical illustrations are done in watercolor, ink, and colored pencil and are surrounded by plenty of white space. A perfect segue into chapter books, this easy reader is sure to be a crowd pleaser.--Lora Van Marel, Orland Park Public Library, IL

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

2012 Winner of the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award "Eager and picky eaters alike will enjoy the wordplay and outrageous situations, which create humor from a familiar source of family tension."—Booklist "The sophisticated yet silly humor will appeal to new readers wanting something a little different. . . . A perfect segue into chapter books, this easy reader is sure to be a crowd pleaser." —School Library Journal "Stories with all the wit and good humor parents can often lose during dinner table battles. A palatable strategy." —Chicago Tribune "The illustrations are fun and whimsical, which causes even picky youngsters to listen attentively without complaints." —Scaramento Book Review