Navigating the world of nutrition with children can be both fun and educational with the right resources. Books about nutrition for kids and parents offer an engaging way to explore healthy eating habits, understand food origins, and get creative in the kitchen. From whimsical stories about fruits and vegetables to hands-on recipes and lessons, these books are designed to make learning about nutrition enjoyable for both children and their caregivers. Whether you’re a parent looking to instill good eating habits early on or an educator seeking engaging material for your classroom, these top nutrition books provide valuable insights and activities to promote a healthier lifestyle.
An Apple a Day (1992)
Explore over 20 engaging apple-themed projects designed for children aged 4-10. This book offers fun activities such as making apple clowns, dried apple wreaths, apple prints, and apple bread. It’s a hands-on way to introduce young children to the world of apples and their versatility.
- Audience: Child Care Early Elementary
- Format: 64-page book
Apples
Dive into the fascinating world of apples with this book that covers everything from apple traditions and growing methods to grafting and types of apples. It includes two easy-to-make apple recipes that kids will love.
- Audience: Child Care Early Elementary
- Format: 48-page book
Bananas! (1999)
Jacqueline Farmer and Page Eastburn O’Rourke bring bananas to life with whimsical illustrations and humor. This book reveals how bananas grow, the animals that eat them, and the journey from plantation to breakfast table. It also includes banana recipes, jokes, silly song titles, and a limerick.
- Audience: Child Care Elementary
- Format: 32-page book
Broccoli Power
Follow “Charles” the broccoli through an educational journey on the nutritional benefits of broccoli, plant parts we eat, and its growing process. This lesson package is perfect for introducing kids to the wonders of broccoli with minimal preparation required.
- Audience: Child Care Early Elementary
- Format: Nutrition lesson package
The Carrot Seed (1945)
This timeless story for children aged 3-7 tells the tale of a little boy who plants a carrot seed and waits patiently for it to grow into a carrot. It’s a classic that emphasizes patience and growth.
- Audience: Child Care Early Elementary
- Format: Storybook
Chef Ki is Serving Dinner (1997)
Take a tour of a restaurant with Chef Ki and discover how food is prepared. This book uses actual photos and easy-to-read facts to teach children about the restaurant food preparation process.
- Audience: Child Care Early Elementary
- Format: 64-page book
Child Care Recipes: Food for Health and Fun (1999)
Developed by the USDA, this collection includes 141 new recipes for nutritious meals served to children in the Child and Adult Care Food Program. The recipes are lower in fat, saturated fat, and sodium, reflecting recent advances in nutrition knowledge.
- Audience: Child Care
- Format: Notebook
Cook and Learn (1981)
Featuring over 150 step-by-step recipes from various cuisines, this book is designed to make cooking with young chefs exciting and educational. It also includes a teacher’s guide to facilitate the cooking experience.
- Audience: Child Care Early Elementary
- Format: 160-page book
Corn
Learn about the history of corn, its various uses, and a kid-friendly corn recipe. This book explores corn’s journey from the field to the table in an engaging way.
- Audience: Child Care Early Elementary
- Format: 48-page book
Dear Family Letters – Spanish Version (1999)
This set of 18 reproducible letters, developed by the California Nutrition Education and Training Program, provides families with valuable nutrition information. These letters can be used in newsletters, parent workshops, or as handouts.
- Audience: Child Care Nutritionists
- Format: Reproducible handouts
Eat Your Peas, Louise! (1985)
A humorous and easy-to-read story for children aged 3-7, this book follows a little girl named Louise and her adventures with eating peas.
- Audience: Child Care Early Elementary
- Format: Storybook
Enjoying Carrots
Discover the joy and nutritional benefits of carrots through engaging stories, snacks, and activities. This lesson package is designed for a 30-minute session with minimal preparation.
- Audience: Child Care Early Elementary
- Format: Nutrition lesson package
Every Little Bite Counts: Supporting Young Children with Special Needs at Mealtime (1998)
Developed by the California Department of Education, this publication provides strategies for caregivers and families to help children with special needs enjoy successful mealtimes. It includes practical tips and nutrition intervention strategies.
- Audience: Child Care Elementary Parents Food Service
- Format: 196-page book
Farmer’s Market
With beautiful illustrations, this book depicts a child’s day helping her family at a farmer’s market. It offers a glimpse into the process of growing and selling vegetables.
- Audience: Child Care Early Elementary
- Format: Storybook
Food is Fun!
This book features lively food rhymes that are perfect for toddlers. It’s a playful introduction to different foods and their fun aspects.
- Audience: Child Care
- Format: Storybook
From Cow to Ice Cream (1997)
Explore the transformation of milk into ice cream through clear photographs and lively text. This book details the entire process in a way that is easy for children to understand.
- Audience: Child Care Early Elementary
- Format: 32-page book
From Wheat to Pasta (1997)
Follow the journey of wheat as it is harvested and made into pasta. Detailed photographs and engaging text make this book a great educational tool.
- Audience: Child Care Early Elementary
- Format: 32-page book
Fruit Heroes
Meet the Fruit Hero characters and learn about the nutritional benefits of various fruits. This lesson package includes fun activities and materials for a 30-minute lesson.
- Audience: Child Care Early Elementary
- Format: Nutrition lesson package
Getting a Head Start with 5 a Day Fun Kit (1996)
Developed by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, this kit includes activities and resources to encourage children and families to eat more fruits and vegetables. It features a 60-minute video and photo-ready handouts.
- Audience: Child Care Head Start
- Format: 60-minute video, Activities, Photo-ready handouts
Good Enough to Eat (1999)
A kid-friendly guide to food and nutrition, this book presents nutrition facts in an engaging format with hands-on activities and recipes designed specifically for children.
- Audience: Child Care Early Elementary
- Format: Storybook
Healthy Snacks (1994)
Featuring over 90 new recipes, this book provides healthy snack alternatives that are low in fat, sugar, and sodium. It’s ideal for parents, teachers, and child care providers looking for nutritious snack options.
- Audience: Child Care Elementary Parents
- Format: 47-page recipe book
Hey Pizza Man (1995)
Join Vivian as she imagines a variety of characters delivering her pizza. This whimsical story is sure to entertain children while they wait for their pizza delivery.
- Audience: Child Care Early Elementary
- Format: Storybook
How Do Apples Grow?
Learn about the growth of apples from bud to fruit. This book explains the apple-growing process in a way that’s accessible to young children.
- Audience: Child Care Early Elementary
- Format: Storybook
In a Pumpkin Shell (1992)
With over 20 pumpkin-themed projects, this book offers creative activities like making pumpkin pillows, designing seed jewelry, and baking pumpkin cookies. It’s perfect for kids who enjoy hands-on projects.
- Audience: Child Care Early Elementary
- Format: 58-page book
It’s a Fruit, It’s a Vegetable, It’s a Pumpkin (1995)
This Rookie Reader About Science book explains the lifecycle of pumpkins from growth to use. It features full-color photos and simple text that make it easy for young children to understand.
- Audience: Child Care Early Elementary
- Format: 32-page book
Conclusion
Choosing the right nutrition books for kids and parents can significantly impact how your family approaches healthy eating. These books not only educate but also entertain, making the process of learning about nutrition an enjoyable experience for everyone involved. By incorporating these resources into your daily routine, you can foster a positive relationship with food, encourage healthy habits, and make mealtime a fun and educational experience. Explore these titles to find the perfect fit for your family’s needs and start your journey toward a healthier lifestyle today.