Vegetables

Children's Literature

What's the purpose of a pea pod? Is a pumpkin a vegetable-or a fruit? Did you realize that when we eat corn on the cob, we are eating corn seeds? Kid-friendly trivia gives added interest to this 24-page guide to vegetable basics. Simple sentences in big print with bold pictures explain not only how vegetables grow, but also plant parts and the nutritional benefits of vegetables. Children learn that corn and carrots appear on our plates after growing in rich soils, being harvested, sometimes processed, and then sent to market. Once consumed, veggie vitamins and fiber help keep our bodies healthy. All food groups and the suggested number of daily vegetable helpings are discussed. Defining broccoli as flowers, carrots as roots, potatoes as stems, spinach as leaves, and peas as seeds introduces some beginner botany. Word definitions, recommended reading, applicable Web sites, an index, and a veggie snack recipe are included. The books, Fruits, Grains, and Vegetables are part of the "Healthy Me" series. 2004, Smart Apple Media, Ages 7 to 9.
— Chris Gill