Stories feed our imagination, just like food fuels our bodies. This World Book Day, we’re celebrating books that bring food to life – teaching children about sharing, gratitude, and the joy of eating together.
At Rethink Food, we believe that food is more than just something we eat – it’s a way to connect, learn, and grow. These six wonderful books highlight just that, through beautiful words and meaningful messages.
- Oliver’s Vegetables by Vivian French
A delightful story about trying new foods and discovering the joy of fresh vegetables.
“We only eat chips,” said Oliver. “Potatoes are the only vegetable I like.” But Grandpa had other ideas. “You can have chips,” he said, “but only if you find the potatoes in my garden.” Oliver searched and searched, but instead, he found carrots. “Well,” said Grandpa, “we’d better eat these today.” And so, Oliver tried his first carrot… and to his surprise, it was delicious!
💡 Message: Sometimes, trying something new opens the door to a world of wonderful possibilities!
- Handa’s Surprise by Eileen Browne
A beautifully illustrated tale of friendship, generosity, and delicious tropical fruits.
“Handa put seven delicious fruits in her basket -soft yellow banana, sweet-smelling guava, round juicy orange, ripe red mango, spiky pineapple, creamy avocado, and a tangy passion fruit. She walked carefully to Akeyo’s village, balancing the basket on her head. ‘I wonder which fruit will taste best?’ she thought. But as she walked, she didn’t notice the animals behind her – one by one, they took her fruits until only an unexpected surprise remained.”
💡 Message: Giving to others brings joy, and sometimes life surprises us in the best ways!
- The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr
A charming story about hospitality, imagination, and the magic of unexpected guests.
“The tiger didn’t just take one sandwich. He took all the sandwiches on the plate, and swallowed them in one big mouthful. Then he ate all the buns, all the biscuits, and all the cake, until there was nothing left to eat. ‘Oh dear,’ said Sophie’s mummy. ‘I don’t know what we’ll do for supper.’ But Sophie had an idea. They put on their coats and walked to the café, where they shared a delicious meal together, laughing at their unexpected adventure.”
💡 Message: Sometimes things don’t go to plan, but with kindness, flexibility, and a little imagination, every moment can be special!
- Eat Your Peas by Kes Gray & Nick Sharratt
A humorous tale about patience, choices, and the endless battle over vegetables!
“‘Eat your peas,’ said Mum. ‘I don’t like peas,’ said Daisy. ‘If you eat your peas, I’ll buy you a new bike,’ said Mum. ‘I don’t like peas,’ said Daisy. ‘If you eat your peas, you can stay up late, and I’ll buy you a chocolate factory.’ ‘I don’t like peas,’ said Daisy. ‘Alright then,’ said Mum. ‘I’ll eat your peas for you.’ Daisy grinned and picked up her empty plate. ‘Good,’ she said. ‘Because I don’t like them anyway.’”
💡 Message: Encouraging healthy eating should be about fun and patience – not pressure!
- Bread and Jam for Frances by Russell Hoban
A sweet and funny book about the importance of variety and trying new things.
“Frances thought that bread and jam was the best food in the world. So, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, she ate bread and jam. At first, it was wonderful. But then, as she watched her friends eat spaghetti with meatballs and soft-boiled eggs with toast soldiers, Frances started to wonder. That night, when Mother put a plate in front of her, Frances was thrilled – ‘Spaghetti!’ she said. ‘And meatballs!’ And she took a great big bite, realizing that sometimes, new things can be even better than the ones we already love.”
💡 Message: Too much of the same thing can make us miss out on life’s delicious variety!
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
A timeless classic that teaches transformation, growth, and the importance of balance.
“On Monday, he ate through one apple. But he was still hungry. On Tuesday, he ate through two pears. But he was still hungry. By Saturday, he had eaten chocolate cake, ice cream, a pickle, a slice of Swiss cheese, salami, a lollipop, cherry pie, a sausage, a cupcake, and a slice of watermelon. That night, he had a stomach ache. So, on Sunday, he ate through one nice green leaf, and after that, he felt much better.”
💡 Message: Balance is the key to feeling good – whether it’s food, life, or learning!
Food is more than just something we eat – it’s a way to connect, share, and learn. These stories show how food brings people together, teaches patience, and encourages kindness.
This World Book Day let’s celebrate books that feed our hearts and minds as much as our bellies. What’s your favourite food-themed book? Let us know in the comments!
Watch out for our special video reading of these beautiful lines!
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