Play With Your Food

by Joost Elffers

How many times have you picked up a fruit or vegetable and laughed at how much it resembles an animal or person? Play with Your Food shows you how to look at something ordinary and turn it into something magical. No special tools or techniques are needed, just you -- and your child's -- imagination.

Genres: Food, Nonfiction, Art, Picture Books, Humor, Photography, Cooking

109 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1997

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, MY GOD!

This -

And, the cutest pumpkins EVER!



You may commence squealing now.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly deep.

I have seen other work of Elffers with just pictures of the food art, but here there is a lot more explanation. Including hints on how to do it, there are comparisons to cloud pictures, ink blots, and the art of Giuseppe Arcimboldo. (The most astonishing is The Vegetable Gardener viewed first one way, and then upside down. Whoa.)

As the book goes over looking for what is already in the food, and what can be enhanced, it encourages not only creativity and fun, but also mindfulness. Also, there is a plug for organic produce, as the irregularities make for more interesting textures.

[Ganesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

My sister sent me a used copy of this book in the mail for the holidays. The book is part of a series of whimsical picture books of fruits and vegetables carved and arranged to look like animals. For instance, turning a Bosc pear into a bear's face.

Unfortunately, I think people -- myself included -- often feel that eating healthy is boring and restrictive. But the author of this book advocates looking more closely and bringing imagination to our food -- and other areas of our lives. The book is an excellent illustration of how we can take pleasure in those things that once bored us.

[Keli Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book at the library .. it was fun to look through and if I had kids in my life more often we might even do some of the stuff in it.. definatly worth a look and hopefully a try for people!

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forever changed the way I carve pumpkins! This is an adorable coffee table book with exceptionally good pictures of food and order items that are given life simply by the imagination.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

These show very cute and creative ways to make art from edible food. Fun to look at for kids & adults. Whimsical.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My old boss in Seattle got this for me because I used to make animals and such out of the food.
It is a cute book.

[Jini · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this thing! How cute to make animals with veggies. Hmmmm...what would PETA say?

[CatBookMom · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is no justification for this book other than to cause giggles and snickers. Every time I open it, I find myself grinning and laughing and feeling better.

[Martha Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the creative energy that went into this book. The photographs are so fun.

[Kharla Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun ideas and creative!

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

so it isn't a "great read aloud" but it is a great share w/your kid book.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this for a quarter at a garage sale and my kids love it! A fun and creative way to look at fruits and veggies. Beautiful photography

[Lrubin · Rating 5 out of 5]

How creative!

[Cmfzebra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. I loved it so much because me and my friend made a face out of it. Then we ate it.