ALL FOOD IS GOOD FOOD

An uplifting ode to food’s tastes, functions, and varieties.

A child’s tummy rumbles one morning: “That’s your body saying, ‘Feed me!’” Subsequent spreads feature children engaged in various activities while snacking. A juice box gives a child energy to ride a scooter. Chips fuel doodling. A plate of cookies sits beside a youngster who gazes through a microscope. “All food has a purpose,” whether giving us “energy to wake up” or “strength to do hard things.” Best of all, food is yummy and will “make your taste buds sing.” Ehlert digs even deeper into food’s effects on the body as she briefly explains the functions of fats, carbs, proteins, and sugar. Short snippets about where food comes from and depictions of various mealtimes close out this smorgasbord of informational foodie fun. In addition to being a delightful contrast to the cadre of books that yuck someone else’s yum, this affirming title resists diet culture. A section of FAQs for grown-ups explains the concept of intuitive eating (listening to our body’s signals and eating the foods we’re craving) and the importance of food neutrality (not ascribing moral judgments such as unhealthy to food). The sheer variety of foods included in the colorful, cheerful illustrations is like a delicious sampler platter. A child with a cochlear implant, wheelchair users, and a youngster with a prosthetic arm round out the diverse cast.

A recipe for success.