Vegbooks

Do Super Heroes Have Teddy Bears?

May 16th, 2012 · Books

Review By HOMA WOODRUM

My son and daughter dove right into the review copy of Do Super Heroes Have Teddy Bears? when it arrived in the mail and it was a hit with them! A little boy and his sister both play super hero in this charming book by Carmela LaVigna Coyle and illustrated by Mike Gordon. I wasn’t sure (based on the title) if there would be a conflict about having a bear but it is just one component of the question and answer format within.

Some of the questions include:

Do super heroes make capes with blankies and string?
We can turn blankies into most anything.

Are heroes always brave and daring?
We’re brave and bold and kind and caring.

Is there still enough time to save the day?
I’m sure you will in your very own way.

The illustrations speak volumes in each scene. For example, on the pages about saving the day, our little super heroes are shown recycling, turning off a dripping spigot, and even the little dog is adding to the compost pile from his food dish (though I’m not sure that is the best fodder for compost). The final message of the book is to be your own hero. I especially like that the little boy is looking at his father and imagining that he is a super dad and that his room is decorated not just with caped super hero posters but a firefighter poster. There are even stickers to decorate in the back that can act as hero emblems. 

Two notes for veg families: the little boy runs away from eating peas and carrots at dinner and you can see the family is eating chicken. Also, he accidentally breaks a fish bowl but his sister saves the fish in a water glass and the fish is shown safely in a new bowl on another page. We enjoyed this book, especially all the imaginative games the brother and sister play, like putting boxes and tape together to make a spaceship. With summer coming, it is nice to remember that some of the best days for children are filled with outdoor and imaginary play.

Ages 4 and up.

I used to play super hero when I was little (and maybe even as a teen)…did you?

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How Do Birds Find Their Way?

May 14th, 2012 · Books

Review By JESSICA ALMY

My kiddo’s kindergarten class has been focusing on nonfiction books lately, both reading and writing/illustrating books that make a detailed exploration of the science and natural history of wild animals. Of course, with my passion for wildlife, I’ve taken this opportunity to find new books for our bookshelves at home!

One of the fabulous books I’ve discovered, which is just right for kids in the early grades, particularly those reading on their own, is How Do Birds Find Their Way? As part of the Let’s-Read-And-Find-Out-About-Science series (along with Oil Spill), this colorful book, illustrated by Paul Mirocha, is all about bird migration. Rather than simply lay out the facts, author Roma Gans explains how scientists have discovered what they know about migration — describing two noninvasive experiments conducted on bird migration — and what there is left to discover. I particularly like the ending:

Even though people have watched birds for thousands of years, we still do not have all the answers about bird migration. But ornithologists keep trying — maybe you will be one of them.

Kids need to know that adults don’t know everything, and they need to envision how they will contribute to the world. These words, together with an illustration of a girl looking through binoculars, may provide particular inspiration to kids who love animals.

Ages 5 to 9.

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Cooking With Herb: The Vegetarian Dragon

May 10th, 2012 · Books

Review By JESSICA ALMY

Although my kiddo and I aren’t the target demographic for this children’s cookbook, described by author Jules Bass as “LOVE children: L=lacto O=ova V=veggie E=eaters” (in other words, vegetarians who eat dairy and eggs), we have enjoyed leafing through its colorful pages and trying a couple recipes. The book’s vibrant colors, funny illustrations, and managable size make it an appealing cookbook to a kindergartener.

Last week, we made steaming bowls of Herb’s Chili Con “No” Carne one night, and Snap-Dragon’s Stone Soup another. Both recipes called for small amounts of cheese, but as we’re vegan, we used Daiya instead. (Other families that forgo dairy could use Parma or skip the cheese altogether – it’s certainly not integral in either recipe.) Our whole family really enjoyed the chili, which, as the carnivorous dinosaur Meathook says in the illustration, has a nice meaty texture. The stone soup was certainly a fun novelty — after all, the recipe calls for using a real stone — but was pretty bland without the lovely fresh basil puree (pesto), so it didn’t keep well for leftovers.

For a children’s cookbook, I found that the recipes weren’t as straightforward as I’d hoped for. I love the illustrated step-by-step instructions that some similar cookbooks employ, particularly for beginning readers, and I think that would be a great approach for this book, if a new edition is ever published. As an adult, I also was confused by some of the measurements, particularly when I went to the store to buy ingredients and realized that I wasn’t sure what size can of tomatoes to buy.

The book is out of print, but widely available for used purchase. Recommended for vegetarian children ages 6 to 10, with adult help.

p.s. – I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I’d love to see a vegan children’s cookbook published! Isa Chandra Moskowitz, Alicia Silverstone, Sayward Rebhal – help a vegan mama out?

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The Great Cake Mystery

May 4th, 2012 · Books

Review By HOMA WOODRUM

I was so excited to hear that Alexander McCall Smith had written mystery chapter book for younger readers featuring a young Precious Ramotswe of The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. My daughter and I got through The Great Cake Mystery in record time, she loved the story and the illustrations by Iain McIntosh. Precious Ramotswe is the founder of the fictional No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency in Botswana, Africa and the series for adults is charming — it is like a little vacation for me when each new book comes out. You don’t have to have any prior knowledge of the characters from the adult series, however, to enjoy this wonderful book.

The first two chapters follow Precious and her father as he retells a story to her of when he faced a lion in his village. He ultimately escapes the lion by making him sneeze, waking up the other villagers who bang on pots and pans to scare the animal away. At the end of her father’s story he mentions that “It’s well known that if a lion eats a person who’s feeling cross at the time, he gets indigestion.”  Precious tells her father she doesn’t believe the final part of his story and he places the seed in her mind that she could become a detective someday.

Precious’ chance to find out if detective work suits her comes sooner than one would think when a slice of cake, toast with jam, and sticky buns go missing one by one at her school. The other children are quick to accuse a boy who has a fondness for sweets but Precious does not think it is fair when no one has proof. I really liked the theme of not believing a serious accusation just because everyone else has decided to place blame. She discovers that monkeys are the culprit but it takes a vivid dream to help her figure out the solution. Spoiler alert: the monkeys aren’t harmed, they are just caught in the act of trying to take a cake she made just for them and her schoolmate is vindicated. When I asked my 3-1/2 year old daughter what her favorite part was, she said, “I like how Precious made the monkeys a sticky cake” and then asked to read it again. I think that considering the book is fiction no one will run out and put glue in a cake and the monkeys are cleaned up and return to the trees after being caught sticky handed but I wanted to mention those details in case they’re of concern.

The vivid illustrations are done in oranges, grays, and blacks — featured just often enough to keep a young reader’s interest. There are pronunciation guides that I found helpful as well as discussion points to raise when the book is over. My daughter was transported to a world where lions and monkeys can live just outside your door and I think she really enjoyed hearing the mystery unfold. Often if a story includes lions and monkeys they’re set in a city with a zoo so I found the setting refreshing for little ones.

Additional notes: There is a point where eggs are illustrated as a cake ingredient and a recipe in the back for sponge cake is not vegan. Cattle farming (a big part of life in Botswana) is referenced at one point as well but all these things make sense contextually. The 73 pages can be read aloud in an evening or two and the author’s note mentions that the book was specifically written with the under 10 set in mind. I am always on the lookout for good chapter books with admirable heroes and heroines and if my review doesn’t convince you to check this one out, the cover includes a positive quote from Mary Pope Osborne of The Magic Tree House fame.

Ages 3 to 9.

Let us know in the comments: Have you discovered any great chapter books for younger children lately?

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