Eliot, Hannah  Carrots Like Peas: And Other Fun Facts
Gr. K–3     32 pp.     Little Simon

Illustrated by Aaron Spurgeon. Did You Know? series. Loosely linking quirky, random facts about food, Eliot begins on the farm ("Carrots and peas help each other grow"). The conversational text then samples "movie foods" (popcorn, candy), ice cream (and "brain freeze"), toast, Granny Smith apples, and more (including dishwashers and Mr. Potato Head). Colorful cartoony panels show zany animals eating, cooking, and dressing up as vegetables. "Fun Facts" are appended.
Subjects: Cookery and Nutrition; Food

Felix, Rebecca  Eating Ethically
Gr. 4–6, middle school      48 pp.     ABDO/Core Library

Laine, Carolee  Food Safety Basics
Gr. 4–6, middle school      48 pp.     ABDO/Core Library

Lusted, Marcia Amidon  Gluten-Free and Other Special Diets
Gr. 4–6, middle school      48 pp.     ABDO/Core Library

Reinke, Beth Bence Nutrition Basics
Gr. 4–6, middle school      48 pp.     ABDO/Core Library

Rissman, Rebecca  Eating Organic
Gr. 4–6, middle school      48 pp.     ABDO/Core Library

Rissman, Rebecca  Genetically Modified Food
Gr. 4–6, middle school      48 pp.     ABDO/Core Library

Rissman, Rebecca  Processed Foods
Gr. 4–6, middle school      48 pp.     ABDO/Core Library

Rissman, Rebecca Urban Farming
Gr. 4–6, middle school      48 pp.     ABDO/Core Library

Food Matters series. These accessibly designed titles provide information about different aspects of food, from ethical consideration in production and growing to nutrition and safety. While their focus on Common Core standards encourages worthy skills such as comparing sources or finding textual evidence backing a point, few students may appreciate the built-in assignments (e.g., "write a short essay..."). Reading list. Glos., ind.
Subjects: Cookery and Nutrition; Food; Farms and farm life; Agriculture

Hand, Carol  Sustainable Agriculture
Middle school, high school     112 pp.     ABDO/Essential Library

Cutting-Edge Science and Technology series. Hand examines the old traditions and modern technologies that are used in sustainable farming. Detailed descriptions of soil, water, seeds, crops, pest control, and energy use illustrate how they are managed to provide continuous, productive growth with minimized environmental impact. Stock photographs and profiles of important scientists, ecologists, and environmentalists are included. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind.
Subjects: Farm Life, Husbandry, and Gardening; Environment—Conservation; Agriculture; Food; Industry

Lin, Grace and McKneally, Ranida T.  Our Food: A Healthy Serving of Science and Poems
Gr. K–3     40 pp.     Charlesbridge

Illustrated by Grace Zong. This child-friendly poetic introduction to nutrition answers questions about why we eat (i.e., food provides energy) and about the foods we need to be healthy. Most spreads include a lively haiku paired with a straightforward scientific narrative that explains each food group lucidly. Zong's cheerful acrylic illustrations set on a farm feature children of different ethnicities and colorful foodstuffs. Additional informative paragraphs are appended. Glos.
Subjects: Cookery and Nutrition; Farms and farm life; Food; Poetry—Haiku

Lindeen, Mary  I Eat Apples in Fall
Gr. K–3     24 pp.     Lerner

Lindeen, Mary  I Pick Fall Pumpkins
Gr. K–3     24 pp.    Lerner

Lindeen, Mary  I Watch Fall Harvests
Gr. K–3     24 pp.    Lerner

First Step Nonfiction: Observing Fall series. Each small volume gives kindergartners a level-appropriate amount of information about its title autumn-related topic. Well-chosen stock photos are paired with simple sentences that reinforce what readers may already know ("Apples grow on trees") and provide new tidbits or details related to farming in the fall season ("Pumpkins can be blue too!"). Glos., ind.
Subjects: Agriculture; Seasons—Autumn; Fruits and vegetables—Pumpkins; Fruits and vegetables—Apples; Weather; Leaves; Trees

From the October 2017 issue of Nonfiction Notes from the Horn Book.

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