Librarians, looking for a series to support National School Lunch week? 'Who Made My Lunch?' by Bridget Heos and illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman is ideal. This six book series includes all the components of a typical child's lunch: peanut butter, jelly, wheat bread, cheese, ice cream, and chocolate. The six titles are 'From Milk to Ice Cream', 'From Milk to Cheese', 'From Cocoa Beans to Chocolate', 'From Grapes to Jelly', 'From Peanuts to Peanut Butter', and 'From Wheat to Bread'. Few children grow up on farms. Instead children are disconnected from the origins of the food from the grocery store. What offers more appeal than chocolate bars and ice cream or a classic PB& J sandwich? The series is intended for the early elementary grades, K-3. The text is clear without condescension. For example, in 'From Wheat to Bread', the authors explains, " The wheat sprouts quickly. But this is winter wheat. During the cold months, it goes dormant. That's sort of like taking a nap." (p.6). In 'From Peanuts to Peanut Butter', Heos includes interesting details, "At the peanut butter factory, you'll roast the peanuts in a hot oven. The tray moves up and down so that the peanuts shake while they bake. This way, they cook evenly." (p.15). At the end of each title is a map displaying where the grapes, peanuts, cocoa beans, etc is grown. (p.23). On the last page (p.24) are brief glossaries, websites, and bibliographies. The websites, while brief, are germane. In the Chocolate book is a link to Fair Trade information and Peanuts includes a site about peanut and tree nut allergies. The Grapes, Wheat,and Peanuts books could serve as springboards for class discussions about plant growth and cultivation before a science lesson planting seeds. Any of these titles dovetail with nutrition lessons. I'm confident children will find these books engaging. The 'Who Made My Lunch?' Series would make an excellent addition to any library or classroom.
