Read It, Then Eat It: Children's Books with Tasty Treats

Are you in the mood for a snack? How about something warm from the oven? If you weren't before, you will be for sure once you take a look at some of these books for kids. 

Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! by Candace Fleming is a wonderful picture book about Mr. McGreely, who decides to plant his own garden one spring. Unfortunately for him, there are three crafty bunnies in the neighborhood who find their way around every obstacle he puts in their way to protect his tasty vegetables. Kids will enjoy the rabbits' antics, and adults will secretly cheer for the pro-veggie message.

Bake Sale by Sara Varon is a graphic novel for elementary-aged kids about Cupcake, who owns a bake shop, and his friend, Eggplant. The story is simple, and the art is clean and appealing to kids. Once I got past the idea of a baked good selling and eating other baked goods, I enjoyed the story, and I especially liked the kid-friendly recipes included at the end.

Another book featuring baked goods (including lots of cupcakes) is the chapter book Close to Famous by Joan Bauer. This is actually my favorite book on this list for a couple reasons. First, it inspires me to do some baking myself, and it includes at least one great-sounding recipe. It also features a complex yet age-appropriate plot that touches on issues like poverty, grief and domestic violence, and an incredibly likable main character who struggles with a near inability to read. Despite all this, the story is heartwarming rather than depressing because it's never bogged down by the issues it touches on. Instead, it's enriched by them. There's a lot to take away from this book, and I would recommend it for anyone in middle school or older.

Candy Bomber by Michael Tunnell is heartwarming like the others in this list, but it is a bit different in that it's a true story. It's about a pilot who was delivering food to West Berlin right after WWII who saw a group of hungry children looking through the fence into the airfield. After he talked to the children and realized that it had been years since they had anything sweet to eat, he decided to start up a collection for chocolate rations to give to the kids. The idea grew from there, and eventually pilots were dropping donated chocolate and Life Savers all over West Berlin for the children to enjoy. The story is all the sweeter for being true, and I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in history.

What's your favorite story with food? Tell me about it in the comments!

Comments

I liked "The Sugar Queen" by Sarah Addison Allen. The woman takes comfort in her closet full of sugar filled treats. That is until she finds another woman in her closet! This is a little bit fantasy and a little raelity, but all fun. I loved your recommendations.

Another great list by Kristen! I want to read them all. I recently read The Donut Chef by Bob Staake illustrated by, and in the style of The New Yorker illustrator, super fun book. I also read The French Fry King by Roge, a beautiful french love story with great pictures. Thought you might like them too!

Thanks for sharing, Kristen. I found that reading books like these to/with my kids leads to fun times in the kitchen and cooking with them!

Thanks guys! I just love books with food. It seems like the perfect combination (or maybe it's just the fact that I love both things and like to enjoy them simultaneously)!