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The Boy Who Ate America
This illustrates children's picture book told in perfect rhyme teaches children and adults that acquiring things won't bring us lasting peace and happiness. Rather, the only way to be truly fulfilled is to feed our souls by feasting upon "the Word." He sprinkled Virginia all over the coast, Then swallowed New York like a cinnamon toast. He had Boston with beans and Houston with ham Salt Lake City with Jell-O and L.A. with Spam. He munched on the Redwoods like chips and some dip, Then washed it all down with the ol' Mississip... In a raft with his mom and nothing to do, He still felt so hungry, and GUILTY now, too! Water and water was all he could see. He still wasn't full. What else could there be? "Son, maybe your body's not hungry a bit," She said, wiping part of Detroit from his lip. "We're all hungry, Son," she started to say. "Your body and soul need food every day."
29 pages, Hardcover
First published September 12, 2007
18 people want to read
About the author
Nathan Smith Jones
9 books22 followersNathan Smith Jones (no hyphen) was born into this world with a head full of dreams and stories to tell. A long time secondary and university English teacher, Nathan enjoys writing and teaching. He lives in the mountains of Utah.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
April 27, 2020
I received this from Booksirens for an honest review.
This was a fun and through provoking story about what it means to be full.
People do many different things to be full.
This is a story to read with children to teach them what they can do to be full.
Also, the illustrations in this story are wonderful. Some would make great prints for a child’s room.
This was a fun and through provoking story about what it means to be full.
People do many different things to be full.
This is a story to read with children to teach them what they can do to be full.
Also, the illustrations in this story are wonderful. Some would make great prints for a child’s room.
March 20, 2020
The cover of the book showed a little boy eating the United States. I thought the cover was really appropriate for what happened in the story.
In the Holy Bible Jesus spoke to the people in parables. This book is a modern parable.
The boy told his Mother that he was so hungry. His Mother told him that he had eaten lunch not long ago. Then the boy went into the kitchen and started eating everything in the refrigerator. Soon he was eating and eating and eating. He even ate all of the United States and was still hungry.
The parable was explained by his Mother. She said that what the boy really needed was to feed his soul. She quoted Scripture that "Man shall not live by bread alone." When the little boy understood that he needed Jesus in his life, all of the things that he had eaten left his body. The little boy was seeking to fill his spiritual needs by reading the Bible.
The graphics and rhyme of this book was excellent. The book was written in the style of Dr. Seuss. Every child in America or the world would have so much fun reading this book. I pray that all children and even adults will be filled by the words in the Holy Bible.
I give this book 5 stars.
In the Holy Bible Jesus spoke to the people in parables. This book is a modern parable.
The boy told his Mother that he was so hungry. His Mother told him that he had eaten lunch not long ago. Then the boy went into the kitchen and started eating everything in the refrigerator. Soon he was eating and eating and eating. He even ate all of the United States and was still hungry.
The parable was explained by his Mother. She said that what the boy really needed was to feed his soul. She quoted Scripture that "Man shall not live by bread alone." When the little boy understood that he needed Jesus in his life, all of the things that he had eaten left his body. The little boy was seeking to fill his spiritual needs by reading the Bible.
The graphics and rhyme of this book was excellent. The book was written in the style of Dr. Seuss. Every child in America or the world would have so much fun reading this book. I pray that all children and even adults will be filled by the words in the Holy Bible.
I give this book 5 stars.
March 9, 2020
At the beginning I thought this book will teach a child about “America” by how he eats his food. When I reached the last page, I understand how the author wants to deliver the moral value to not be “greedy” or “unbalance” your body and mind with Bible words.
It’s a great lesson, however the execution of the story is not really catch the point. In my opinion, how the Mom tells the boy why he still gets hungry should written with a child understandable point of view, along with the simple explanation, not just put the Bible language version.
The illustration is sweet and colorful, I liked the drawings very much.
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It’s a great lesson, however the execution of the story is not really catch the point. In my opinion, how the Mom tells the boy why he still gets hungry should written with a child understandable point of view, along with the simple explanation, not just put the Bible language version.
The illustration is sweet and colorful, I liked the drawings very much.
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 3, 2020
“We’re all hungry son,” she tried to imbue, “your body needs food, but your soul needs some too!”
This children’s picture book tells an imaginative, dreamlike story using fun rhymes and colorful illustrations to teach that the Word of God is much needed food for the soul. Jesus teaches this message in Matthew 4:4 of the Bible.
"The Boy Who Ate America" is quite entertaining and could help open the door to meaningful conversation with children.
Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review, for which I am very grateful.
July 27, 2020
A pleasure to read. The Boy Who Ate America is a fast read that will find a principle audience among children aged 1-5. The characters in the story are secondary to the plot, but the moral of the story takes centre stage. A must-read bedtime story for all Christian parents of toddlers; the book does a good job in reminding young children of the value in contentment with the little gifted to them by God, especially in a world ravaged by the quest for materialism and "more, more, more!"
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 18, 2008
A wonderful children's book that teaches that what so many people really hunger for is not more "things" but for nourishing by the word of God. The writing is fun and lyrical and the illustrations are fantastic.
December 15, 2009
Picture Book. A boy gets so hungry he tries to fill himself up by eating America. He soon discovers that the word of God can fill him better than the world can though. Good to use in a Primary lesson or something.
August 17, 2008
My 5 year olds current fave!
September 13, 2010
fun-- not very useful for learning the states like I was hoping, but cute.
October 7, 2013
I quite liked this book. The rhyming is nice and it is fun seeing him eat up America.
The ending is the best, which will leave you with a nice teaching moment at the
end of the story.
The ending is the best, which will leave you with a nice teaching moment at the
end of the story.
August 22, 2012
This was a cute book with fun rhymes and great imagery. It also has a good moral.
February 13, 2020
I received a copy of this book from Book Sirens for the promise of doing a review. Here's my background with kids PB's(picture books)...I have read over a hundred children's picture books, have attended workshops for writing PB's, been a member of SCBWI (though not currently), and am active with a PB critique group.
Now for the review... I love the whimsical styling of the illustrations and how they add to the story. However, since I read it online as a PDF, it lost some of the impact of seeing the juxtaposition of illustration to text and whether it was a double-page or you had to turn a page. This is why I think print books for kids will always be in demand.
Since the rhyme is based on the styling of "Twas the Night Before Christmas," it was easy to follow along. However, in several areas, the rhymes seemed forced and made the thought seem awkward. This is a common problem with doing rhymes - and why I constantly make use of rhymezone.com to improve the flow of my rhyming.
The storyline is flat as it only encompasses him eating. The only challenge he encounters is he's hungry. The story is supposed to have a moral to it, but mom only shows up at the beginning and end. The lesson, as a result, almost seems more of an afterthought not a structural part of the plot. The story could be improved if there was some back and forth with son and mom or if the son has more thoughts on maybe why he's always hungry.
Final thoughts...kids will like the illustrations, but will probably not ask to have the story read repeatedly as the plot won't engage them.
Now for the review... I love the whimsical styling of the illustrations and how they add to the story. However, since I read it online as a PDF, it lost some of the impact of seeing the juxtaposition of illustration to text and whether it was a double-page or you had to turn a page. This is why I think print books for kids will always be in demand.
Since the rhyme is based on the styling of "Twas the Night Before Christmas," it was easy to follow along. However, in several areas, the rhymes seemed forced and made the thought seem awkward. This is a common problem with doing rhymes - and why I constantly make use of rhymezone.com to improve the flow of my rhyming.
The storyline is flat as it only encompasses him eating. The only challenge he encounters is he's hungry. The story is supposed to have a moral to it, but mom only shows up at the beginning and end. The lesson, as a result, almost seems more of an afterthought not a structural part of the plot. The story could be improved if there was some back and forth with son and mom or if the son has more thoughts on maybe why he's always hungry.
Final thoughts...kids will like the illustrations, but will probably not ask to have the story read repeatedly as the plot won't engage them.
March 17, 2020
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It's really hard to rate children's books that are mostly art. I thought the rhyming was cute, on beat, and the story had a perfectly executed moral. Religion was an undertone to the book, there, but not enough to exclude those of other religions from reading. The moral is pretty standard wherever you go. I also thought the way the story was approached was very fun. A kid eats the world! I mean, what kid wouldn't want to know more?
I wish the art was just a touch more emotive, and there were a couple of scenes where the eyes of certain characters were vastly different in size. Honestly, the art style overall wasn't for me, but I didn't hate it. It just felt kind of meh. Other people would probably find it more interesting.
I give this book four fat fluffy cows, with the majority of my complaints going to the art rather than the actual writing. I'd be interested to see if the author could write larger books, or if picture books are their strong point.
It's really hard to rate children's books that are mostly art. I thought the rhyming was cute, on beat, and the story had a perfectly executed moral. Religion was an undertone to the book, there, but not enough to exclude those of other religions from reading. The moral is pretty standard wherever you go. I also thought the way the story was approached was very fun. A kid eats the world! I mean, what kid wouldn't want to know more?
I wish the art was just a touch more emotive, and there were a couple of scenes where the eyes of certain characters were vastly different in size. Honestly, the art style overall wasn't for me, but I didn't hate it. It just felt kind of meh. Other people would probably find it more interesting.
I give this book four fat fluffy cows, with the majority of my complaints going to the art rather than the actual writing. I'd be interested to see if the author could write larger books, or if picture books are their strong point.
April 27, 2020
Sometimes Biblical concepts are difficult for children to understand. Nathan Smith Jones has taken the Biblical admonition that “Man cannot live by bread alone” and written a text that may help children understand. The Boy Who Ate America starts with a child who never has enough to eat, something that some children may feel they can relate to. The boy eats everything in sight, to the point of eating the entire nation (although I don’t think every state is mentioned by name). Until his mother realizes that he has a hunger that cannot be fed with food, rather it is a hunger of the soul. Nathan Smith Jones shows an understanding for the behavior patterns of young children as well as what they may like.
Casey Nelson has created colorful illustrations which go beyond the text and show the ridiculousness of the text.
I could see this book finding its way into Sunday School or Bible lessons for preschoolers or younger elementary-aged students.
I would not have a problem placing The Boy Who Ate America in a K-12 Christian school library.
I received a complimentary copy or The Boy Who Ate America. This is my honest review.
Casey Nelson has created colorful illustrations which go beyond the text and show the ridiculousness of the text.
I could see this book finding its way into Sunday School or Bible lessons for preschoolers or younger elementary-aged students.
I would not have a problem placing The Boy Who Ate America in a K-12 Christian school library.
I received a complimentary copy or The Boy Who Ate America. This is my honest review.
December 16, 2020
This is a darling and clever children's picture book. A wonderful take on the parable Jesus Christ gave on "Man shall not live by just bread alone." It gives a story of a boy who can't seem to fill up and stay full. He just eats and eats until a whole nation is gone and then he feels all alone.
There are wonderful lessons to be learned from this story. Not only the parable it's self, but about a country, a people and life overall. On top of the wonderful lessons within the pages of this book there are beautiful, bright and colorful illustrations that will capture the attention of the children and get them thinking. The clever writing will also bring giggles and questions that can help teachers and parents alike get a great discussion going.
Wonderful read, makes for a great gift and a great addition to any children's/family library! Would definitely read more from this author.
*I received a complimentary copy from publishers, publicists, and/or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas are my own.
There are wonderful lessons to be learned from this story. Not only the parable it's self, but about a country, a people and life overall. On top of the wonderful lessons within the pages of this book there are beautiful, bright and colorful illustrations that will capture the attention of the children and get them thinking. The clever writing will also bring giggles and questions that can help teachers and parents alike get a great discussion going.
Wonderful read, makes for a great gift and a great addition to any children's/family library! Would definitely read more from this author.
*I received a complimentary copy from publishers, publicists, and/or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas are my own.
February 3, 2020
With an eye-catching title and beautiful illustrations, The Boy Who Ate America by Nathan Smith Jones is a book your little ones will want to hear again and again.
A rhyming book that is reminiscent of Robert Munsch fare, The Boy Who Ate America is about a boy who grew so hungry he started to gobble up everything in sight. While it is ridiculous in its premise, what makes this book fun for both child and adult is precisely that. It is a parable told in whimsical prose that will help children learn where they should turn when feeling sad and empty inside. Man shall not live by bread alone (Matthew 4:4) is the verse this book is based around.
The illustrations are engaging, fun and accurately depict the story.
The moral of the story is a good one for all ages, especially children who are so vulnerable to outside influences. I highly recommend it!
A rhyming book that is reminiscent of Robert Munsch fare, The Boy Who Ate America is about a boy who grew so hungry he started to gobble up everything in sight. While it is ridiculous in its premise, what makes this book fun for both child and adult is precisely that. It is a parable told in whimsical prose that will help children learn where they should turn when feeling sad and empty inside. Man shall not live by bread alone (Matthew 4:4) is the verse this book is based around.
The illustrations are engaging, fun and accurately depict the story.
The moral of the story is a good one for all ages, especially children who are so vulnerable to outside influences. I highly recommend it!
October 21, 2020
The Boy Who Ate America is a strange rhyming story that is intended to be parable. The rhymes and verse are fun and the pictures are attention-grabbing. The boy thinks he is hungry and keeps eating not only food but cars, buildings, cities, and states.
While I think I understand the point Jones is trying to convey, it is abstract and some might have difficulty connecting the dots. As it is written, this would best be used in a church or Christian school but those who have training to explain such abstract ideas to children.
I received a free copy of this book and this is my honest and unbiased review.
While I think I understand the point Jones is trying to convey, it is abstract and some might have difficulty connecting the dots. As it is written, this would best be used in a church or Christian school but those who have training to explain such abstract ideas to children.
I received a free copy of this book and this is my honest and unbiased review.
August 1, 2020
This book is a delightful parable told in rhyme about a little boy who was so hungry that he ate everything (and I do mean everything) in sight and still felt unsatisfied and empty. His mother explains that his hunger is likely from an absence of something much greater and far more satisfying.
I received an advanced copy from Book Sirens for review. I read the story to my granddaughters and they enjoyed the rhymes and the beautiful pictures throughout the book. I highly recommend this book for children and grandparents.
I received an advanced copy from Book Sirens for review. I read the story to my granddaughters and they enjoyed the rhymes and the beautiful pictures throughout the book. I highly recommend this book for children and grandparents.
March 28, 2020
I felt this book had a wonderful ending and I was not expecting it to incorporate God. 'Feeling empty' is a feeling that every person encounters during their life and this book does a great job of explaining how we can overcome that. Very good book, especially for children that may struggle with their feelings.
* I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
* I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 22, 2020
This book was cute, hilarious, and maybe a little on the edge for some people, but the way the mom explained that we can't live by what we eat, but by Jesus makes it an excellent addition to any home library!
Per the 7 year old:
It was kinda funny, because the boy ate America!! And I liked the part the mom explained why eating everything in sight wasn't enough, but Jesus is, the most.
I received a review copy from BookSirens, and chose to leave a review. All thoughts are my own.
Per the 7 year old:
It was kinda funny, because the boy ate America!! And I liked the part the mom explained why eating everything in sight wasn't enough, but Jesus is, the most.
I received a review copy from BookSirens, and chose to leave a review. All thoughts are my own.
January 3, 2021
I read "The Boy who ate America" with my 9 and 7 year old sons. They were highly entertained by the story. They thought it was hysterical that the boy would want to eat America. I love how the author took a biblical theme with it and turned it into a teaching process. It is beautifully illustrated. It is well written and can be used for a preschool/sunday school teaching experience.
I received a copy of this book through Book Sirens - All thoughts are my own.
I received a copy of this book through Book Sirens - All thoughts are my own.
May 5, 2021
I thought that this was such a fun book to read with beautiful illustrations. The rhyming throughout the book makes it easy and fun for children to read, and makes it flow gracefully throughout the book.
The moral of the story stands out while reading and is something that everyone should learn, you don't have to be a Christian to read this book . Beautifully written by a talented author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
The moral of the story stands out while reading and is something that everyone should learn, you don't have to be a Christian to read this book . Beautifully written by a talented author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
January 27, 2021
Wonderful! Fantastic illustrations! Well written! A fun read!
It was an amaginative adventure with a clever teachable moment of allowing yourself to be filled up with the right stuff.
Read and enjoy!
I received an ARC free from BookSirens and this is my voluntary honest review.
It was an amaginative adventure with a clever teachable moment of allowing yourself to be filled up with the right stuff.
Read and enjoy!
I received an ARC free from BookSirens and this is my voluntary honest review.
January 12, 2019
This book is a fun way to teach kids that we need to feast on the words of GOD.
June 9, 2020
I liked the pictures and the story was pretty good.
February 2, 2012
I didn't know this was a religious book. It's a rhyming book about a little boy who is so hungry! He ate what he found in the fridge but he was still hungry! He went out to the ice cream truck and ended up taking a bite of the seat! Then he started eating everything, cars, people, the town, even broccoli!
Then the book starts in with the states. "He snacked on La Jolla 'cause Blythe made him thinner, had Oakland for lunch, Sacramento for dinner!" "He had Boston with beans and Houston with ham, Salt Lake City with Jell-O and L.A. with Spam."
The last state left was Kansas. The governor told him he would NOT eat that state but he did. All that was left was the boy, his mom, and a boat. He told his mom he was still hungry. She gave him examples of people who fill up with things (food, anger, wine, lying, excuses, etc) and ended with, "You're body needs food, but your soul needs some too!" And she told him, "Man shall not live by just bread alone." Suddenly, everything popped out of his foot and they moved the states/cities to their correct places.
It ends with the boy sitting in his room reading the Holy Bible.
Then the book starts in with the states. "He snacked on La Jolla 'cause Blythe made him thinner, had Oakland for lunch, Sacramento for dinner!" "He had Boston with beans and Houston with ham, Salt Lake City with Jell-O and L.A. with Spam."
The last state left was Kansas. The governor told him he would NOT eat that state but he did. All that was left was the boy, his mom, and a boat. He told his mom he was still hungry. She gave him examples of people who fill up with things (food, anger, wine, lying, excuses, etc) and ended with, "You're body needs food, but your soul needs some too!" And she told him, "Man shall not live by just bread alone." Suddenly, everything popped out of his foot and they moved the states/cities to their correct places.
It ends with the boy sitting in his room reading the Holy Bible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2015
7/1/15: Planned to do something patriotic for storytime today, and realized the day before that I forgot to pick books. The title looked promising for this. And it was going along REALLY well. Then I felt like I was broad-sided when the solution came. I hadn't the faintest idea there was a religious aspect to the book. It came out of nowhere! And it wasn't necessarily awful, just so completely unexpected that it made it seem all the more didactic. There was no way I could think of to sum up the end without it seeming weird in storytime. So I put the book on display and chose not to read it. When I finished my own reading, THAT is when I looked at author/illustrator info as well as publishing company. All 3--from Utah. Which would explain how the Jello and Salt Lake City part got in there (I laughed at that), as well as the religious part. It's a book I would like to read to my own kids, as long as I have in mind the religious lessons tied in to it. Not one for pure silliness.
July 15, 2014
I loved this book! (Then again, some may call me biased, because I wrote it.) As I was writing the fifth draft, that's when the rhyme of the last stanza came and I got shivers. I had never had shivers as an author before, but I knew it worked...at least for readers like me. And yes, I agree that at first glance it seems like a book that might teach kids the states, but alas, no. And I didn't want the title to scream "look! It's got a religious message!"
Yes, it gets "religious" at the end, but there are many lessons in this book---anti-commercialism, anti-materialism, etc.---that are simply good common sense lessons, not even necessarily religious.
I'm glad that people like it a lot for the most part. I'm happy to have written something that kids enjoy, with a metaphor even adults can appreciate.
Nathan Smith Jones
Yes, it gets "religious" at the end, but there are many lessons in this book---anti-commercialism, anti-materialism, etc.---that are simply good common sense lessons, not even necessarily religious.
I'm glad that people like it a lot for the most part. I'm happy to have written something that kids enjoy, with a metaphor even adults can appreciate.
Nathan Smith Jones
January 2, 2013
I understand this is just for children, but as an adult, you hope such books have some level of integrity, and I found this book wanting. The cute attempt to rhyme was frequently strained, any pretense of logic for why the boy went from eating food in the kitchen to the ice cream truck to cities, then states, then apparently back to cities was absent, and the cutesy title and cover spoke nothing to the moral of the story.
I don't deny the book has value. I might even read it my children, once.
I don't deny the book has value. I might even read it my children, once.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews