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Tales for Very Picky Eaters
2012 Winner of the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award! James is a very picky eater. His dad has to get creative—very creative—in order to get James to eat foods he thinks he doesn’t like. He presents James with a series of outlandish scenarios packed with fanciful and gross kid-friendly details—like pre-chewed gum as an alternative to broccoli and lumpy oatmeal that grows so big it eats the dog—in an effort to get James to eat. But it is eventually James himself who discovers that some foods are not so bad, after all, if you’re willing to give them a try. This irreverently hilarious early reader, illustrated in full color, explores a universal point of contention between parent and child in a playful, satisfying way.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published May 2, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 309 reviews
September 24, 2013
Was recommended to me for my 5 yr old, and once I saw it was a level 3 reading level, I decided to have him read it out loud. Didn't take long and he absolutely loved it. A fun read for any kid who is a picky eater or has a sibling who is, it's got some great vocabulary words like "disgusting" and "repulsive". Great book for a reader ready to start moving up in levels or to start reading on their own. My son loved it. Highly recommended.
November 20, 2019
Tales for Very Picky Eaters is about a boy named James who doesn't want to eat certain foods. However, when he is given different options that sound worst than the original option, he then makes the decision to eat the food that he did not want to eat. This book is structured in different chapters, in which there is a different food dedicated to each chapter, such as chapter one is focused on how James does not want to eat the broccoli, however after seeing all the other nasty options his father has given him, he decided to eat the broccoli. I think this is an important lesson that is being taught in this book, which is teaching the reader that it's important to appreciate what you are given because there could always be something worst. This book portrays this information really well with the descriptive words that they use to describe food/objects that could be seen as disgusting. The book is colorful and imaginative in its illustrations which ignites the student's imagination of the items that are being described.
October 17, 2016
Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Winner 2012
This mini chapter book is really set for a new age of readers. The sarcasm of the father is so sharply hilarious that parents and children will enjoy reading it together. This children’s literature is so refreshing. I can see it being a bedtime favorite for my future children.
“Well, we have dirt. We have the finest dirt available at this time of year, imported from the best dirt ranches in the country.”
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/tale...
I have never read a book that pokes fun of the picky eating habits of children before. The topic is so relatable too! Almost every family has at least one picky eater!
The images really add a lot of "umph" to the the goofy element in this book. So even if a young child is reading the book, they can laugh at the absurdity of the pictures without being frustrated at the higher level vocabulary that is riddled in the book.
For Teachers
This book could be a great mentor texts for so many different literary elements, just take your pick! I personally love the idea of using this for showing author’s voice. The book is just so funny and it’s easy to see that this book is just an extension of the author’s personality. I intern in a fourth grade classroom and a lot of my gifted and talented students have been receiving 3’s on their essay and they always wonder, “What could push my writing up to a 4?” The answer is adding voice!
This mini chapter book is really set for a new age of readers. The sarcasm of the father is so sharply hilarious that parents and children will enjoy reading it together. This children’s literature is so refreshing. I can see it being a bedtime favorite for my future children.
“Well, we have dirt. We have the finest dirt available at this time of year, imported from the best dirt ranches in the country.”
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/tale...
I have never read a book that pokes fun of the picky eating habits of children before. The topic is so relatable too! Almost every family has at least one picky eater!
The images really add a lot of "umph" to the the goofy element in this book. So even if a young child is reading the book, they can laugh at the absurdity of the pictures without being frustrated at the higher level vocabulary that is riddled in the book.
For Teachers
This book could be a great mentor texts for so many different literary elements, just take your pick! I personally love the idea of using this for showing author’s voice. The book is just so funny and it’s easy to see that this book is just an extension of the author’s personality. I intern in a fourth grade classroom and a lot of my gifted and talented students have been receiving 3’s on their essay and they always wonder, “What could push my writing up to a 4?” The answer is adding voice!
October 1, 2012
Tales for Very picky Eaters, by Josh Schneider (Clarion books, 2011) p.48
Picture books: Controlled Vocabulary
Summary: Winner of the 2012 Geisel Award. James is a very picky eater, he doesn't really seem to like much of anything. His father invents wild stories about how the food was prepared to get him to eat.
a) This is actually a chapter book, five chapters, each containing one story of James' dad getting him to eat by telling a story about trolls cooking the lasagne or oatmeal growing. The illustrations that go with the stories are divine. The words that go with the chapter are the controlled vocabulary part. Disgusting Broccoli, Smelly Lasagna, Repulsive Milk, Growing Oatmeal, and Slimy eggs.
b) The descriptions and stories that go with the chapter would make this fun for a child to read as they are learning more descriptive vocabulary to use in their own writing.
c) Pages sixteen through nineteen are pictures of James imagining a troll cooking his lasagna and the pictures of him working in the circus, before he came. At the circus the troll is being bitten by rats. The stories are fanciful and full of imagination, all attractive things to children.
Curriculum Connection: This could be used in writing workshop to demonstrate to students how descriptive adjectives and adverbs can really create an image that we can visual entertain in our brains as we read. It can be used in a vocabulary lesson, and a health lesson.
Picture books: Controlled Vocabulary
Summary: Winner of the 2012 Geisel Award. James is a very picky eater, he doesn't really seem to like much of anything. His father invents wild stories about how the food was prepared to get him to eat.
a) This is actually a chapter book, five chapters, each containing one story of James' dad getting him to eat by telling a story about trolls cooking the lasagne or oatmeal growing. The illustrations that go with the stories are divine. The words that go with the chapter are the controlled vocabulary part. Disgusting Broccoli, Smelly Lasagna, Repulsive Milk, Growing Oatmeal, and Slimy eggs.
b) The descriptions and stories that go with the chapter would make this fun for a child to read as they are learning more descriptive vocabulary to use in their own writing.
c) Pages sixteen through nineteen are pictures of James imagining a troll cooking his lasagna and the pictures of him working in the circus, before he came. At the circus the troll is being bitten by rats. The stories are fanciful and full of imagination, all attractive things to children.
Curriculum Connection: This could be used in writing workshop to demonstrate to students how descriptive adjectives and adverbs can really create an image that we can visual entertain in our brains as we read. It can be used in a vocabulary lesson, and a health lesson.
February 16, 2013
Tales for Very Picky Eaters by Josh Schneider, a Theodore Seuss Geisel Award-winning book, is a humorous beginning chapter reader for early elementary students. This book examines a boy and his struggles with food as well as the lengths a father will go to get his son to try a bite. As someone who was once a picky eater and now is a parent of a picky eater, I found this book to be both funny and endearing. The quiz on the front inside cover set the tone from the very start, and I knew I was in for a fun ride with this book. It didn't fail. I read it aloud to my first and second grade sons, and both of them adored this piece. The story line is something young students can relate to as well, and I couldn't help but chuckle when I read what this father would do to get his son to try a bit--everything from noting that there was a goblin in the basement preparing their food to trying a bit of reverse psychology and offering up dirt with worms or gum that's been chewed one thousand times. The pictures go along with this father's whoppers, and the boy's distaste for just about every food is apparent threw his well-illustrated expressions.
I would definitely recommend this book to early elementary teachers. I could see this being a the start of a discussion about healthy eating, perhaps tying it into the food pyramid.
I would definitely recommend this book to early elementary teachers. I could see this being a the start of a discussion about healthy eating, perhaps tying it into the food pyramid.
March 19, 2014
Description: Are you a picky eater? Well there are probably worse things out there than eating your broccoli and eggs.
Genre: I Can Read Book
Intended Audience: 1st Grade - 4th Grade
Curriculum Connection: This an excellent book to show multiple perspectives. This skill is difficult to master, students can read through the scenarios in the book and identifying the child's and parent's views. In the end, the lesson can be whose perspectives would you choose at first? Does your mind change and why?
Personal Reaction: I loved that the dust jacket had a quick quiz in the front to test whether you are a very picky eater. From there, I think students would be captivated. I also enjoyed that in each different food scenario, the parent always won to finally get their child to eat the food that they were initially repulsed by. This would be a fun book to read with your child or have them read to you.
Assessment of Visual Appeal: Since this was a small chapter book, I honestly didn't focus as much on the images as I read. When looking back though, I like the pictures that include the options you could choose rather than just eat your food. The rats in the basement and smelly socks are funny and students would laugh at them or just say "ew". It is also interesting that the boy always looks happiest after he ate the food he initially didn't like.
Genre: I Can Read Book
Intended Audience: 1st Grade - 4th Grade
Curriculum Connection: This an excellent book to show multiple perspectives. This skill is difficult to master, students can read through the scenarios in the book and identifying the child's and parent's views. In the end, the lesson can be whose perspectives would you choose at first? Does your mind change and why?
Personal Reaction: I loved that the dust jacket had a quick quiz in the front to test whether you are a very picky eater. From there, I think students would be captivated. I also enjoyed that in each different food scenario, the parent always won to finally get their child to eat the food that they were initially repulsed by. This would be a fun book to read with your child or have them read to you.
Assessment of Visual Appeal: Since this was a small chapter book, I honestly didn't focus as much on the images as I read. When looking back though, I like the pictures that include the options you could choose rather than just eat your food. The rats in the basement and smelly socks are funny and students would laugh at them or just say "ew". It is also interesting that the boy always looks happiest after he ate the food he initially didn't like.
October 14, 2013
Title / Author / Publication Date:
Tales for very picky eaters. / Josh Schneider. / 2011.
Genre: Fiction: Humor.
Format: Easy Reader - print.
Plot summary:
"A father tells outlandish stories while trying to get his young son, who is a very picky eater, to eat foods he thinks he will not like" (NoveList).
Considerations or precautions for readers advisory:
picky eaters, father and son relationships, imagination, humor
Review citation:
"The sophisticated yet silly humor will appeal to new readers wanting something a little different. The comical illustrations are done in watercolor, ink, and colored pencil and are surrounded by plenty of white space. A perfect segue into chapter books, this easy reader is sure to be a crowd pleaser" (Lora Van Marel in School Library Journal).
Section source used to find the material:
ALSC: (Theodor Seuss) Geisel Awards (2012 Award Winner)
Recommended age: Ages 4 - 8.
Tales for very picky eaters. / Josh Schneider. / 2011.
Genre: Fiction: Humor.
Format: Easy Reader - print.
Plot summary:
"A father tells outlandish stories while trying to get his young son, who is a very picky eater, to eat foods he thinks he will not like" (NoveList).
Considerations or precautions for readers advisory:
picky eaters, father and son relationships, imagination, humor
Review citation:
"The sophisticated yet silly humor will appeal to new readers wanting something a little different. The comical illustrations are done in watercolor, ink, and colored pencil and are surrounded by plenty of white space. A perfect segue into chapter books, this easy reader is sure to be a crowd pleaser" (Lora Van Marel in School Library Journal).
Section source used to find the material:
ALSC: (Theodor Seuss) Geisel Awards (2012 Award Winner)
Recommended age: Ages 4 - 8.
August 13, 2012
I actually didn't think I'd like this book much, but I loved it. Two things really stood out here. First were the illustrations--that dog (basset hound? beagle?) was just so cute! Second, the relationship between the trusting boy and his clever father was precious. The book consisted of five stories about foods that James won't eat. In every case his father manages to persuade him in clever ways to eat it anyway. I think "The Repulsive Milk" is my favorite, as James' father makes him imagine what it would be like to have rubbery bones. Tales for Picky Eaters was the 2012 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner for beginning readers, and deservedly so. Recommended for picky and not-so-picky eaters of all ages!
March 18, 2012
This is a fun book of five short stories about a little boy who doesn't like what his family has prepared to eat. The father in the story convinces him, using lies, trickery, and humor to eat the food after all. It's a funny book, and the illustrations complement the narrative nicely. We enjoyed reading this story together.
January 30, 2017
Tales for Very Picky Eaters by Josh Schneider was awarded with the Geisel Award in 2012. It is a very funny, cute story of a little boy who doesn't want to eat what is given to him at mealtime, so his clever dad comes up with silly stories to inspire him to eat the food! This book will make children laugh out loud...and maybe try their broccoli.
Read
November 7, 2019Summary: This book talks about a very picky eater called James. James doesn't like broccoli and is very picky with what he eats. Therefore, his father tries to get creative in order to get him to eat his food by telling James that there is other foods that there is for him to eat such as dirt that has been walked on by the most skilled chefs or "very sweaty socks by the world's fastest and tastiest runner". At the end, James decides that he will just eat broccoli. We see that Jame's father tries to brag James into drinking milk. His father tells him that if he doesn't drink his milk, he can't play kickball or scratch the dog because he wouldn't have strong bones to do so. At the end, James decides to drink his milk. Eventually, James discovers for himself, that there are foods that really aren't that bad. You just have to give them a try.
Evaluation: I like this book because it has a great sense of humor. Younger kids would enjoy reading this type of book because it talks about a younger boy in the story who is a picky eater which is something younger kids can relate to. This book is not overwhelming. It is short and simple for younger students to enjoy to read.
Lesson: This book would be a great book to have a class discussion about certain topics in the book. The teacher could read this book aloud to the class and have discussion questions throughout. For example, during the read aloud, the teacher can stop the book and ask the students to turn and talk to a partner if they think Jame's father really wanted James to eat dirt and dirty socks? Do they really think there is a Troll living in James basement? Are trolls real people? After the students have discussed amongst themselves, they will come as a whole group and discuss what they talked about amongst each other. Another teaching idea would be to have the students discuss with a turn and talk before they begin reading the book about what they think a "picky eater"means? Ask if they are picky eaters. Do they like to try out new foods? This will be great discussion questions to introduce the book, Tales for Very Picky Eaters to the students.
Evaluation: I like this book because it has a great sense of humor. Younger kids would enjoy reading this type of book because it talks about a younger boy in the story who is a picky eater which is something younger kids can relate to. This book is not overwhelming. It is short and simple for younger students to enjoy to read.
Lesson: This book would be a great book to have a class discussion about certain topics in the book. The teacher could read this book aloud to the class and have discussion questions throughout. For example, during the read aloud, the teacher can stop the book and ask the students to turn and talk to a partner if they think Jame's father really wanted James to eat dirt and dirty socks? Do they really think there is a Troll living in James basement? Are trolls real people? After the students have discussed amongst themselves, they will come as a whole group and discuss what they talked about amongst each other. Another teaching idea would be to have the students discuss with a turn and talk before they begin reading the book about what they think a "picky eater"means? Ask if they are picky eaters. Do they like to try out new foods? This will be great discussion questions to introduce the book, Tales for Very Picky Eaters to the students.
October 24, 2018
"Tales for Very Picky Eaters" written and illustrated by Josh Schneider is a fun and creative story about a young boy, James, who is a VERY picky eater. The boy's father comes up with creative ways to convince his son to eat/try the foods he claims to not like. With eat food, the father comes up with a new scenario like growing oatmeal for each food James refuses to try. James' father tells him, "But if we stop eating oatmeal, it will still grow a bowl a day. Before you know it, the oatmeal will outgrow the bowl." James eventually realized that the food he wouldn't try isn't so bad after all if you just give them a chance.
Even from the title and end pages, this book had me hooked! The cover is exciting, with an interesting illustration of the growing oatmeal and a cool font for the title. Then, just inside the front cover, there is a quiz that the reader can take to find out if they are a picky eater. I love how this engages the reader from the very start of the book, before even beginning to read. The illustrations complement the story perfectly and highlight on the outlandish suggestions that James' father makes regarding his food. The use of white space allows for a focus on the food and the characters in the story as well. I think this book would be great for children. I think many adults and children can relate to this book since we all know a picky eater or even are one ourselves. Not to mention, it could urge kids to try new foods since James did. I think that children would really enjoy hearing all of the crazy things the father comes up with as well. This story would be great for children first through fourth grade, as an individual reading or a read-aloud. Since it is broken into four short chapters and uses simple language, it could be a great book for a child who is starting to dive into more lengthy stories and chapter books.
Even from the title and end pages, this book had me hooked! The cover is exciting, with an interesting illustration of the growing oatmeal and a cool font for the title. Then, just inside the front cover, there is a quiz that the reader can take to find out if they are a picky eater. I love how this engages the reader from the very start of the book, before even beginning to read. The illustrations complement the story perfectly and highlight on the outlandish suggestions that James' father makes regarding his food. The use of white space allows for a focus on the food and the characters in the story as well. I think this book would be great for children. I think many adults and children can relate to this book since we all know a picky eater or even are one ourselves. Not to mention, it could urge kids to try new foods since James did. I think that children would really enjoy hearing all of the crazy things the father comes up with as well. This story would be great for children first through fourth grade, as an individual reading or a read-aloud. Since it is broken into four short chapters and uses simple language, it could be a great book for a child who is starting to dive into more lengthy stories and chapter books.
March 23, 2017
I love books for picky eaters because I myself am one. I don't think this book would've worked on me as a child, but it is pretty funny and worth a shot. It would be a good read aloud with kindergarten-1st or a book for readers who enjoy reading about gross things, starting in 3rd-4th grade. The book consists of five mini stories (disgusting broccoli, smelly lasagna, repulsive milk, lumpy oatmeal, and slimy eggs) which all follow the pattern of James first not wanting what his dad made, and then his dad lists other options that James could eat instead, or reasons and silly stories why James needs to eat the food, and James decides that the food his dad made is much better than the other options and eats it. It's disgusting broccoli versus chewed up gum, sweaty socks, or worms. He can eat the lumpy oatmeal or have that very same oatmeal grow so big and eat his dog. James dad is creative and fun and you can see a good relationship with them. It also shows an interesting dynamic with James' dad doing the cooking and getting him to eat where traditionally it may be a mom doing this. The illustrations in this book make it less intimidating to beginning readers and also help to accent how gross the other options James have are much worse than just tasting the food on his plate. I think this is a good book, I marked it down one star because it's good not great. It's very repetitive and the children know exactly what will happen, which will sometimes cause attention to slack off.
October 24, 2022
This book is about James and how he is a very picky eater. James's Father convinces him to eat or drink everything by telling him stories that make the items sound goof. The first story is about him not wanting to eat broccoli, his father tells him all the gross items he could eat instead like mud, chewed gun, and sweaty gym socks. James picks to eat the broccoli. The next story is about mushroom lasagna. James doesn't want to eat it, but his father makes him feel bad about the troll who lives in their basement, who was hired to make it, having to go back to his circus job with mean rats. James eats the Lasagna. James's Father convinces him with these stories with other stuff like milk, oatmeal, and eggs. His lavish tales makes James eat the stuff.
I like how this book is set up. The split stories makes it easy for an early reader to take on smaller parts of a story to practice reading. The illustrations match the story and depict funny imagery that we could assume is James's imagination of the things his dad is saying. I think 1st graders would like this story, but I also think some kindergarteners could enjoy and learn from this book to. Maybe 2nd graders since it is an easy read and seems like a longer book. Gives them an idea of how chapter books are set up.
I like how this book is set up. The split stories makes it easy for an early reader to take on smaller parts of a story to practice reading. The illustrations match the story and depict funny imagery that we could assume is James's imagination of the things his dad is saying. I think 1st graders would like this story, but I also think some kindergarteners could enjoy and learn from this book to. Maybe 2nd graders since it is an easy read and seems like a longer book. Gives them an idea of how chapter books are set up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2018
Geisel Award
Summary:
This text tells the story of a young boy, James, who is a very picky eater. In the first chapter, James believes that broccoli is disgusting. His father then begins to offer him dirt instead. James does not want the dirt, so his father offers him already chewed bubble gum or socks that have been worn by the tastiest runner. James then changes his mind and eats the broccoli. Chapter two is the tale of the smelly lasagna made by the troll who lives in the basement. James's parents tell him if he does not eat the dinner, then the troll will have to go back to work in the rat circus. The text continues to tell the tale of the lumpy oatmeal and slimy eggs.
Evaluation:
Activity:
Creative stories were told to James by his parents when he would not eat the food that was provided for him. From a troll that used to work in a rat circus to eating socks from the tastiest runner, the parents would say anything to make him eat. In order to connect this with the classroom, I would have the students right their own story that they would tell to their children or friend. The students would have to use creative vocabulary and would be encouraged to use as many adjectives as possible.
Summary:
This text tells the story of a young boy, James, who is a very picky eater. In the first chapter, James believes that broccoli is disgusting. His father then begins to offer him dirt instead. James does not want the dirt, so his father offers him already chewed bubble gum or socks that have been worn by the tastiest runner. James then changes his mind and eats the broccoli. Chapter two is the tale of the smelly lasagna made by the troll who lives in the basement. James's parents tell him if he does not eat the dinner, then the troll will have to go back to work in the rat circus. The text continues to tell the tale of the lumpy oatmeal and slimy eggs.
Evaluation:
Activity:
Creative stories were told to James by his parents when he would not eat the food that was provided for him. From a troll that used to work in a rat circus to eating socks from the tastiest runner, the parents would say anything to make him eat. In order to connect this with the classroom, I would have the students right their own story that they would tell to their children or friend. The students would have to use creative vocabulary and would be encouraged to use as many adjectives as possible.
October 31, 2021
"Tales for Very Picky Eaters" by Josh Schneider is the picture book about a boy named James who is a very picky eater. One day, when he is eating dinner, his father notices he is not yet touched his broccoli. After he asks James about it, James responds by saying "ugh what else do we have" (pg. 1-2) and his father gives him a variety of foods that he could eat instead. This is a great book for picky eaters, because it exaggerates what happens when children do not eat their vegetables. By telling James the alternatives to eating his broccoli, lasagna, oatmeal, and drinking his milk, James starts to realize the importance of healthy eating. This book does a great job of using ones imagination when it comes to eating the right foods. Although a child can infer that this book is exaggerating I would recommend it to 6-10 year olds due to developmental levels of understanding. Overall I would give this book 4 stars and think it is exactly the kind of book that should be in a classroom to emphasize the importance of putting good foods into our bodies.
October 25, 2018
There is so much to enjoy about these tales, even adults will being able to giggle. Each tale has a different lesson for children to remember about food: there will always be worse things to eat, parents work hard to put food on the table, some foods are more nutritious than delicious, and don't judge a food by its look.
I believe this book would be good for grades 1st-3rd. The style in which the book is read is more like a novel with pictures, than a typical story-picture book. It makes for an easy-read because of how quickly the stories move and simple vocabulary.
The illustrations were underwhelming, but humorous. Appropriate for the book which relied more on the words than the pictures. There are illustrations on every page but for most of the book the background color is white and the illustrations and words sit flatly on top of the white. Though, the funnier scenes earn two pages.
I believe this book would be good for grades 1st-3rd. The style in which the book is read is more like a novel with pictures, than a typical story-picture book. It makes for an easy-read because of how quickly the stories move and simple vocabulary.
The illustrations were underwhelming, but humorous. Appropriate for the book which relied more on the words than the pictures. There are illustrations on every page but for most of the book the background color is white and the illustrations and words sit flatly on top of the white. Though, the funnier scenes earn two pages.
April 6, 2019
I chose this book because growing up I knew there were certain foods that I would avoid. My brother was the pickiest eater I have ever met. I enjoyed this book more knowing how difficult it is to eat a meal with a picky eater. I enjoyed the tales that the father told the son about the other things that he could eat when he did not want to eat his broccoli and the tale he told about the mushroom lasagna. When asked if there was something else to eat, the father suggested things that sounding so gross that the broccoli no longer seemed disgusting. When the father was told the son did not want to eat the mushroom lasagna, he came up with the story of how the troll worked very hard and they are going to have to fire him and he will go back to his old job. Hilarious stories that could get almost anyone to eat what's in front of them.
September 13, 2019
This book is about a young boy who decides that he does not like anything that his father serves for different meals. Throughout the book his father comes up with ridiculously silly reasons as to why he would have to eat the food before something happened. I really like how this book brings in a fun way of saying that you need to try new foods, even if you might not like them because you might end up liking them. This book can be used when encouraging students to try new things. While this story included various out of the ordinary reasons as to why he had to try the food, this book can be read to students; following that they would write about a time they didn’t want to try to do something (food wise or something else) and when they did try it, write if they did or did not like what they tried.
December 2, 2019
Summary:
James is a picky eater- a very picky eater! He doesn't want to eat anything that he gets for dinner, and to help him eat his food, his dad comes up with some very silly stories to get him to eat his not-so-repulsive foods! This fun story is the winner of the 2012 Geisel award winner, and a book young children are sure to love.
Review:
This book is a short chapter book to help introduce young readers to the chapter book format and style. Filled with fun illustrations, children who don't even like reading will enjoy this book also. This book is also very descriptive, and filled with fun vocabulary words like "repulsive"
Teaching Point:
I would use this book to teach descriptive words in writing. This book has a lot of fun vocabulary that makes the book exciting to read and is a great example for students of descriptive words in writing.
James is a picky eater- a very picky eater! He doesn't want to eat anything that he gets for dinner, and to help him eat his food, his dad comes up with some very silly stories to get him to eat his not-so-repulsive foods! This fun story is the winner of the 2012 Geisel award winner, and a book young children are sure to love.
Review:
This book is a short chapter book to help introduce young readers to the chapter book format and style. Filled with fun illustrations, children who don't even like reading will enjoy this book also. This book is also very descriptive, and filled with fun vocabulary words like "repulsive"
Teaching Point:
I would use this book to teach descriptive words in writing. This book has a lot of fun vocabulary that makes the book exciting to read and is a great example for students of descriptive words in writing.
October 29, 2021
The Geisel Award is about a little boy name James who is a very picky eater. James father gives him alternatives to some wormy dirt and some stinky socks. That is when James had to reconsider about the broccoli. What about Milk? Who needs strong bones in order to play kickball or baseball? Tales for Very Picky Eaters has different tales talking about foods that children think are disgusting because "they are picky eaters." These tales are very interesting to me because I am a picky eater and I still to this day am not a fan of broccoli. The visual style shows the watercolor catching a mood of gentle ribbing effects and the looks of bewilderment as well. I would use this in my classroom because there are many students who are picky about what they eat. These different tales offer different commentary as to what would happen if you did eat these foods. You can do a lesson on different foods that students hate or like and see what they have to say about them. It can start as a whole group discussion or small group discussion.
March 21, 2018
Tales for Very Picky Eaters by Josh Schneider is a funny, beginning chapter reader for 1-3 grade students. This book follows a boy’s struggles with being a picky eater, and his father’s clever ways of getting his son to eat. I was a picky eater myself, and remember my dad doing some of the same funny things to me like convincing me that fish was chicken and calamari were round french fries. This book is filled with great illustrations, and the boy’s disgust for all of the different foods is obvious based on his facial expressions. There are also some challenging vocabulary words that go perfectly with the story line. This would be a great book for early readers who are picky eaters or to read together as a family.
June 11, 2019
2012 Winner of the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award! James is a very picky eater. His dad has to get creative—very creative—in order to get James to eat foods he thinks he doesn’t like. He presents James with a series of outlandish scenarios packed with fanciful and gross kid-friendly details—like pre-chewed gum as an alternative to broccoli and lumpy oatmeal that grows so big it eats the dog—in an effort to get James to eat. But it is eventually James himself who discovers that some foods are not so bad, after all, if you’re willing to give them a try. This irreverently hilarious early reader, illustrated in full color, explores a universal point of contention between parent and child in a playful, satisfying way
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September 11, 2019Summary
James is a very picky eater. He has problems with a lot of food that many people eat (like broccoli). His dad has some suggestions of what he could eat instead. His dad goes on to suggest foods that we don't normally eat and James thinks are ridiculous and eventually, James agrees to eat the food he had a problem within the first place.
Evaluation
I like this book because it is creative and shows imagery. James' dad is very vivid in his description of the foods (or not foods) and James is able to create pictures of them in his head.
Teaching
I would use this book to teach about using imagery when writing. The book provides good examples of that because James' dad helps James create pictures of what each food is going to look like by just telling him about it.
James is a very picky eater. He has problems with a lot of food that many people eat (like broccoli). His dad has some suggestions of what he could eat instead. His dad goes on to suggest foods that we don't normally eat and James thinks are ridiculous and eventually, James agrees to eat the food he had a problem within the first place.
Evaluation
I like this book because it is creative and shows imagery. James' dad is very vivid in his description of the foods (or not foods) and James is able to create pictures of them in his head.
Teaching
I would use this book to teach about using imagery when writing. The book provides good examples of that because James' dad helps James create pictures of what each food is going to look like by just telling him about it.
October 28, 2021
The book Tales for Very Picky Eaters is a 2012 winner of the Theodor Seuss Geisel award. This book is about a boy named James who is a very picky eater and he refuses to eat the food that his dad makes for him so, his dad has to come up with creative ways to trick him into eating his food. His dad gives him the alternatives to pick from like dirt and worms, pre-chewed gum, the oatmeal that grows into a monster. I don’t think this is a book that I would incorporate into my classroom because I feel like this may be a book that parents should share with their children. This would definitely be an enjoyable book for children to read especially if the children who are reading it are picky eaters and it also teaches kids that their parents work hard to make food for their children.
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December 11, 2023This book may not change a picky eater's habits, but it will allow them to think and laugh about the idea. The father in the story was able to come up with some very creative ways of showing his son what being picky can really look like. This is such a clever story that allows children to see that being picky about what you eat can be okay to an extent, but being picky about other things in life may appear are rude or unkind. It is a great book to teach many lessons from for any reader, whether it is read aloud or silently, any reader will learn something from this story, and it is a great one to keep on hand incase there is an incident that could be understood more after reading this book.
February 28, 2017
I read this with first graders today, and I think at times I was more amused than they were. Of course, all of that changed once I revealed to them that the father was tricking the child into eating things that he found unappetizing. Perhaps my audience was just a little too trusting to believe that a parent would trick a child into doing anything, which probably makes life easier on their parents, but this book is meant for the perceptive young reader, who reads and then reflects deeply enough to say, "Hey! I see what he did there! Sneaky!" It's good collection of short, funny tales. I enjoyed it, and with the right amount of explanation, my first grade audience did as well.
June 11, 2020
This book was awarded the Geisel award in 2012. This book seems to be for a little bit older readers, compared to previous Geisel winners. But still made for young readers nonetheless. As an educator, I could use this books as a lesson with students that are picky, or complain a lot. While something is unfavorable, there is plenty of things that are less favorable in the world as well. This book takes a funny twist on that. Some readers might even prefer the funny alternatives to brocolli! The illustrations are very detailed while still being cartoon-like.
November 16, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. Having a classroom full of picky eaters can be a very difficult fix. It can be hard to get them to try new foods and even at home as a parent get your child to try new foods. Offering alternatives can make no solutions. However, in this story, the main character James is faced with the decision of disgusting alternatives so he is forced to try to original choices and ends up liking them. I believe this can be. agreta book for picky eaters and just a general audience because it can persuade them to try new things!
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December 7, 2016Title: Tales for Very Picky Eaters
Author: Josh Schneider
Illustrator:
Genre: early reader
Theme(s): food, picky, yucky, silly
Opening line/sentence: “I can’t eat broccoli,” said James. “It’s disgusting”.
Brief Book Summary: This is a fun, lighthearted book about something every kid is familiar with, gross food your parents want you to eat. This story takes eating yucky food to a whole new level with silly stories that try to convince the main character, James, to eat his food.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, April 1, 2011 (Vol. 79, No. 7))
Broccoli: No way is James going to eat broccoli. "It's disgusting," says James. Well then, James, says his father, let's consider the alternatives: some wormy dirt, perhaps, some stinky socks, some pre-chewed gum? James reconsiders the broccoli, but—milk? "Blech," says James. Right, says his father, who needs strong bones? You'll be great at hide-and-seek, though not so great at baseball and kickball and even tickling the dog's belly. James takes a mouthful. So it goes through lumpy oatmeal, mushroom lasagna and slimy eggs, with James' father parrying his son's every picky thrust. And it is fun, because the father's retorts are so outlandish: the lasagna-making troll in the basement who will be sent back to the rat circus, there to endure the rodent's vicious bites; the uneaten oatmeal that will grow and grow and probably devour the dog that the boy won't be able to tickle any longer since his bones are so rubbery. Schneider's watercolors catch the mood of gentle ribbing, the looks of bewilderment and surrender and the deadpanned malarkey. It all makes James' father's last urging—"I was just going to say that you might like them if you tried them"—wholly fresh and unexpected advice. 2011, Clarion, 48 pp., $14.99. Category: Early reader. Ages 5 to 9. © 2011 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.
(PUBLISHER: Clarion Books (New York:), PUBLISHED: 2011.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:Sylvia Firth (Children's Literature)
Many youngsters are picky eaters and their families often go through battles at mealtime. They (and others who enjoy silly, outrageous humor) are certain to enjoy this lively tale of James, his father and their differences over food. The story opens with James declaring that he will not eat broccoli because [i]t s disgusting. In its place, his dad suggests dirt blended with earthworms or gum that has already been chewed by many children or a sock that is thoroughly saturated with sweat. Of course, James ends up eating the broccoli. Next, James refuses mushroom lasagna, since [i]t smells funny. His father launches into a rollicking story about a troll who lives in the cellar and was brought in just to cook the lasagna. If James does not eat it, the troll will have to be fired and go back to his old position in the rat circus, where he will be bitten again and again by the rats. So, James eats the lasagna. When James announces that [m]ilk is repulsive, his father recites all the problems brought on by having soft bones because of not drinking milk. Dad then convinces James that by not eating his lumpy oatmeal, the house will be overrun by the hungry, fast-growing oatmeal that will eat everything in sight, especially ice cream and cake. It might even eat the dog. In the last chapter, James does not want to eat slimy eggs. Before his dad can say anything, James begins a tall tale about multiplying eggs and hatching chickens, or eggs that turn out to be dinosaurs that the troll must smash or be sent back to the rat circus. Calmly, his father says, You might like them if you tried them, and of course James enjoys them. Made with a combination of pen-and-ink, watercolors and colored pencils, the cartoon-like pictures are an excellent match for the text and add greatly to the fun. This is an ideal selection for story hour, so add it to the next book order. 2011, Clarion Books/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, $14.99. Ages 5 to 8.
(PUBLISHER: Clarion Books (New York:), PUBLISHED: 2011.)
Response to Two Professional Reviews: I really like these reviews because even though they do did a brief synopsis of the story, they also talk about the illustrations and how important they are to the story. The author uses both water color and pen to draw images that really capture the light heartedness of the story, and the emotions that the character is feeling, but also the silly tales that the father is telling him.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: Again with the illustrations, one of the really interesting parts about this book is when James (the main character) has a thought bubble thinking about the stories his dad just said, it is outlined in different food and different colors to show the young reader that its a thought and not actually happening in the story. I also really liked this book because the illustrations directly depict what the text is saying, and they really break up the text so it doesn’t seem very text heavy.
Consideration of Instructional Application: I think that this story would be a great read aloud for the students. This book will most likely be very relatable for a lot of children, because many are picky eaters. Having a relatable yet silly book, will really engage the students and after reading it, the students can come up with silly stories about their least favorite foods to see if that will help them like it any better.
Author: Josh Schneider
Illustrator:
Genre: early reader
Theme(s): food, picky, yucky, silly
Opening line/sentence: “I can’t eat broccoli,” said James. “It’s disgusting”.
Brief Book Summary: This is a fun, lighthearted book about something every kid is familiar with, gross food your parents want you to eat. This story takes eating yucky food to a whole new level with silly stories that try to convince the main character, James, to eat his food.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, April 1, 2011 (Vol. 79, No. 7))
Broccoli: No way is James going to eat broccoli. "It's disgusting," says James. Well then, James, says his father, let's consider the alternatives: some wormy dirt, perhaps, some stinky socks, some pre-chewed gum? James reconsiders the broccoli, but—milk? "Blech," says James. Right, says his father, who needs strong bones? You'll be great at hide-and-seek, though not so great at baseball and kickball and even tickling the dog's belly. James takes a mouthful. So it goes through lumpy oatmeal, mushroom lasagna and slimy eggs, with James' father parrying his son's every picky thrust. And it is fun, because the father's retorts are so outlandish: the lasagna-making troll in the basement who will be sent back to the rat circus, there to endure the rodent's vicious bites; the uneaten oatmeal that will grow and grow and probably devour the dog that the boy won't be able to tickle any longer since his bones are so rubbery. Schneider's watercolors catch the mood of gentle ribbing, the looks of bewilderment and surrender and the deadpanned malarkey. It all makes James' father's last urging—"I was just going to say that you might like them if you tried them"—wholly fresh and unexpected advice. 2011, Clarion, 48 pp., $14.99. Category: Early reader. Ages 5 to 9. © 2011 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.
(PUBLISHER: Clarion Books (New York:), PUBLISHED: 2011.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:Sylvia Firth (Children's Literature)
Many youngsters are picky eaters and their families often go through battles at mealtime. They (and others who enjoy silly, outrageous humor) are certain to enjoy this lively tale of James, his father and their differences over food. The story opens with James declaring that he will not eat broccoli because [i]t s disgusting. In its place, his dad suggests dirt blended with earthworms or gum that has already been chewed by many children or a sock that is thoroughly saturated with sweat. Of course, James ends up eating the broccoli. Next, James refuses mushroom lasagna, since [i]t smells funny. His father launches into a rollicking story about a troll who lives in the cellar and was brought in just to cook the lasagna. If James does not eat it, the troll will have to be fired and go back to his old position in the rat circus, where he will be bitten again and again by the rats. So, James eats the lasagna. When James announces that [m]ilk is repulsive, his father recites all the problems brought on by having soft bones because of not drinking milk. Dad then convinces James that by not eating his lumpy oatmeal, the house will be overrun by the hungry, fast-growing oatmeal that will eat everything in sight, especially ice cream and cake. It might even eat the dog. In the last chapter, James does not want to eat slimy eggs. Before his dad can say anything, James begins a tall tale about multiplying eggs and hatching chickens, or eggs that turn out to be dinosaurs that the troll must smash or be sent back to the rat circus. Calmly, his father says, You might like them if you tried them, and of course James enjoys them. Made with a combination of pen-and-ink, watercolors and colored pencils, the cartoon-like pictures are an excellent match for the text and add greatly to the fun. This is an ideal selection for story hour, so add it to the next book order. 2011, Clarion Books/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, $14.99. Ages 5 to 8.
(PUBLISHER: Clarion Books (New York:), PUBLISHED: 2011.)
Response to Two Professional Reviews: I really like these reviews because even though they do did a brief synopsis of the story, they also talk about the illustrations and how important they are to the story. The author uses both water color and pen to draw images that really capture the light heartedness of the story, and the emotions that the character is feeling, but also the silly tales that the father is telling him.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: Again with the illustrations, one of the really interesting parts about this book is when James (the main character) has a thought bubble thinking about the stories his dad just said, it is outlined in different food and different colors to show the young reader that its a thought and not actually happening in the story. I also really liked this book because the illustrations directly depict what the text is saying, and they really break up the text so it doesn’t seem very text heavy.
Consideration of Instructional Application: I think that this story would be a great read aloud for the students. This book will most likely be very relatable for a lot of children, because many are picky eaters. Having a relatable yet silly book, will really engage the students and after reading it, the students can come up with silly stories about their least favorite foods to see if that will help them like it any better.
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