Mealtime

Toddler Tools

by Elizabeth Verdick, Marieka Heinlen (Illustrator)

Mealtime—“Yummy-in-the-tummy time”—is an opportunity to teach young children two major life nutrition and table manners. Simple but important mealtime routines come to life as the toddlers in this book remember to wash their hands, use a napkin and fork or spoon, stay at the table, and eat healthy foods. Toddlers also learn the one big rule for Always try one bite (“You just might like it!”). Parents and caregivers want toddlers to develop healthy eating habits and positive mealtime routines. This book helps them do so with Verdick’s keen ability to speak directly to little ones and Heinlen’s delightful, appealing illustrations. Includes tips for parents and caregivers. Toddler Tools® series
Daily transitions and routines can be a struggle for any toddler, as well as parents and caregivers. These award-winning, positive books can help ease the many challenging "times" that are a part of every toddler's day. Share them before (or during) the desired "time," or whenever toddlers need encouragement with routines.

Genres: Food, Childrens, Nutrition, Picture Books

24 pages, Board Book

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Elizabeth Verdick has been writing books since 1997, the year her daughter was born. Her two children, now ages 13 and 8, are the inspiration for nearly everything she writes. Before becoming an author, Elizabeth edited books for children and parents.

These days she writes books for toddlers to teens, and everything in between. She especially loves creating new board book series for toddlers—the latest series is Toddler Tools™, which helps young children and their parents cope with those tough times and transitions that happen every day (like naptime and bedtime). The Best Behavior™ series helps toddlers reach new milestones and improve their day-to-day behavior.

Elizabeth also enjoys getting the chance to look at the funny side of life in the Laugh and Learn™ series, which helps kids ages 8–13 get a handle on the social/emotional skills they’re developing throughout the elementary– and middle school years. Elizabeth lives with her family and five pets near St. Paul, Minnesota.

Reviews

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a great collection of these books to be had, going back over the last several years. The script is pared back to really junior level – on the main pages, that is, not the two pages of for-adults material at the end each time. There's a sort of rhyming sensibility to many pages – and if there isn't there is an element of repetition that forces a kind of rhyme through anyway. The artist sustained her ability throughout, too, using striking fabric patterns to make her cartoonish characters a lot more detailed than otherwise expected, in a sort of broad-lined cutout style. They all get a strong four stars from me, for their competent and quick lessons.

Manners Time (ISBN 9781575423135) shows the merits of being polite and positive, from our 'hello' and 'goodbye' to saying 'sorry' when we burp or break toys.
Sharing Time (9781575423142) is to get us to share our things – and how to react properly when we're honestly told we can't share someone else's items.
Bedtime (9781575423142) is a lullaby that also gets around to telling us why we're expected to sleep properly – "I do my best growing when I'm sleeping".
On-the-Go Time (9781575423791) is all about getting ready for a day out – and some of the behaviour we should consider when in public, such as the "indoor voice".
Mealtime (9781575423661) is a simple look at a matter-of-fact success of a school lunch, where there is no drama, and everybody tries everything at least once.
Bye-Bye Time (9781575422992) reminds the kid who has had to say goodbye to the parents at the start of the school day that without it there would be no need for that lovely "hello" at the end of it.
Clean-Up Time (9781631981548) turns classroom tidies into pleasures – and classrooms into tidy pleasures at the same time, obviously.
The much newer Outdoor Time (9798885543934) shows a school break spent outside, where the right moves, activity and voice level is different to the ones allowed inside. But it should only be a simple switch on and off, anyway.
Wriggly Time (9798885548021) shows the on-and-off nature of the class physical activity session, too.

Add to those the unseen Naptime, Try-Again Time, Calm-Down Time, and Listening Time volumes, and you have a grand little shelf of very early development guides, all with – to repeat – their own spread of bespoke information for adult consideration.

NB some of the above ISBNs are for a bilingual English-Spanish edition, so double-check first. I have no connection with either creator, or the publishers, and volunteer these honest opinions based on files submitted to edelweiss.

[June Kang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although there weren't a lot of exciting or funny moments in the book, I still thought it was good for children to learn how to be polite during mealtimes, eat safely, learn basic table manners, and how they can enjoy eating their food. I also thought it was simple enough for children to understand and learn!

[Alicia Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

For: readers looking for a book with clear steps for mealtime manners (with some additional talking points for parents/caregivers in the back).

Possible red flags: mentions not liking food/being picky, but doesn't explore.

[E & E’s Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elliot enjoys the books we have read in this season (particularly Calm-Down Time). This one is a simple walk-though the steps at mealtime. Great for developing mealtime routines and manners.


*library book. Read to Elliot at 21 months

[Kenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a great book for toddlers on table manner and nutrition. It shows basic concepts and clear pictures children can mimic. Also, encourages kids to try at least one bite ! because they might end up liking it. Promotes healthy eating habits and positive behavior during mealtime.

[Willow · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good little book about eating and manners. It's been a help for our little one with feeding struggles. This and a few others, such as "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," have been staples in our bag of tricks for encouraging her to eat.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 2.5-year-old loved this book when we checked it out from the library. She kept asking me to find the rest of the series (from the back cover).

[One Code 431 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the drawings *nostalgia

[Yanira Ghani · Rating 5 out of 5]

My little toddler can say most of the words in this book. She enjoys the yummy food, and she loves the handwashing page. Her favorite book she enjoys me reading to her.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are great resources for teaching toddlers important skills! The illustrations are colorful and pretty to look at too.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mealtime by Elizabeth Verdick, illustrated by Marieka Heinlen, part of the Toddler Tools series, helps teach young children skills and routines about nutrition and table manners.

Heinlen's illustrations focus on four toddlers and clearly support the text. My favorite images are utensils, thank you, more please, and clear plate. Verdick's text uses simple words with some rhyming.

The message about using routines and encouraging table manners is the strongest part of Mealtime. Mealtime Tips for Parents & Caregivers has two pages of thoughtful and useful tips. The "One bite rule" is one I wish all parents would follow to avoid having fussy eaters. "Give your child some undivided attention", and "keep it short" are rules that will please fellow diners in restaurants if followed. Keeping reasonable expectations, involving children in meal prep, and creating rituals and routines are all sound advice.

The illustrations were not my favorite style. Useful for either a Parenting or board book section. This is recommended for preschool and public library collections. 3.5 star rating.

For ages 1 to 3, nutrition, table manners, meals, foods, eating habits, and fans of Elizabeth Verdick, Marieka Heinlen, and the Toddler Tools series.

[Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully accessible instruction on the social contract as it pertains to mealtime. Excellent coverage of all the behaviors one would hope to develop in their toddler.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

The gem of this book for me was the line "You ate! That's great! Now clear your plate!" My 3 year old now clears his plate without asking.

[Jason]

I like Verdick's board books for their bright colors and patterns.

[mairead!]

Got this to help with someone staying sitting at the table. Elsa's Let it Go undid a lot of this work, but progress is being made?!

[Davida · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this whole series. Lovely to look at and good messages.