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A Moose Boosh: A Few Choice Words About Food
What to talk about at the dinner table? Why how to eat Slippery Noodles, of course!
Twirl them, whirl them, slop them, slip them,
twist them, curl them, whip them, flip them,
sip them, slurp them, chew them, beat them.
But you must use your fork, when you eat them.
But what happens when you eat too much, like Ruby-Loo?
She ate and ate and ate and ate,
until her tummy started to roar,
“Run,” it said, “run.”
So she ran to the toilette and slammed the door.
Eating at the dinner table is so much more fun when you can share these silly poems out loud. Parents will see how children experiences food (for real!) and kids may just try a few more bites, or at least ask where our food comes from.
Award wining artist Eric-Shabazz Larkin, in a high-spirited debut as author and illustrator, captures the joy of eating together and will bring the whole family together to the dinner table.
Twirl them, whirl them, slop them, slip them,
twist them, curl them, whip them, flip them,
sip them, slurp them, chew them, beat them.
But you must use your fork, when you eat them.
But what happens when you eat too much, like Ruby-Loo?
She ate and ate and ate and ate,
until her tummy started to roar,
“Run,” it said, “run.”
So she ran to the toilette and slammed the door.
Eating at the dinner table is so much more fun when you can share these silly poems out loud. Parents will see how children experiences food (for real!) and kids may just try a few more bites, or at least ask where our food comes from.
Award wining artist Eric-Shabazz Larkin, in a high-spirited debut as author and illustrator, captures the joy of eating together and will bring the whole family together to the dinner table.
96 pages, Paperback
First published October 7, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
March 27, 2019
Fill up your plate with these delicious poems about food! The table of contents is laid out like a restaurant menu for your to browse your favorite amuse bouche.
The poems focus on all aspect that are associated from food. Each page reminds me of a Snapchat; there is a picture of real life drawn upon with a digit pen. The poems bring out laughter, especially Runaway Beans becoming 'toots'. The poems dance with word play and symbolism.
Don't let the comical tones and incredible illustration take over your mind because each poem has a deeper message. The poems represent family dynamics and promotes family bonding at meal time, promotes vegetarianism and being aware of where food comes from, focuses on socioeconomic issues that leave some families without food, and promotes famers and organic produce, and questions what's really being fed to the masses at restaurants. The Saddest Happy Meal drew my eyes right away with the line ""Oh how did I get like this," wailed the drink, "For once I was...wait...who was I? Just sugar I think.""
The poems challenge readers to reflect on what it means to share a meal, think about who produces the food we enjoy, and examine the cost of what we put into our bodies. I felt inspired to start my own garden the moment I closed the back cover.
I found this enticing book of poems using DAWCL. I rated it 5/5 and would recommend the book for grades 5 and up.
The poems focus on all aspect that are associated from food. Each page reminds me of a Snapchat; there is a picture of real life drawn upon with a digit pen. The poems bring out laughter, especially Runaway Beans becoming 'toots'. The poems dance with word play and symbolism.
Don't let the comical tones and incredible illustration take over your mind because each poem has a deeper message. The poems represent family dynamics and promotes family bonding at meal time, promotes vegetarianism and being aware of where food comes from, focuses on socioeconomic issues that leave some families without food, and promotes famers and organic produce, and questions what's really being fed to the masses at restaurants. The Saddest Happy Meal drew my eyes right away with the line ""Oh how did I get like this," wailed the drink, "For once I was...wait...who was I? Just sugar I think.""
The poems challenge readers to reflect on what it means to share a meal, think about who produces the food we enjoy, and examine the cost of what we put into our bodies. I felt inspired to start my own garden the moment I closed the back cover.
I found this enticing book of poems using DAWCL. I rated it 5/5 and would recommend the book for grades 5 and up.
March 17, 2018
Poems about food and cooking for kids. My two favorites: Doctor Food, b cause it made me laugh, and Dear Michelle Obama, because it made me sad.
I checked this one out just because I loved the title. 😊
I checked this one out just because I loved the title. 😊
June 14, 2020
A lively collection of food poetry illustrated with photos photo and doodles.
October 17, 2016
Eric-Shabizz Larkin is an artist, writer, designer, illustrator, director, composer and award-winning poet. He was raised in Norfolk, Virginia but has lived all over the world in Kenya, Portland, Seattle, London and now, New York City. A Moose Boosh is his second book, a collection of more than 40 poems all about food. He wrote this book to inspire people to read books at dinner time. From the very first page, the restaurant menu table of contents draws the reader to turn the pages. Each poem is accompanied with incredible photographs that are enhanced with personal, graffiti-like illustrations. Larkins poems celebrate food; there is one about a city kid who fantasizes about being a farmer, a boy with a pet cabbage, Old George Washington Carver, a letter to Michelle Obama, and a food desert in Harlem. The title itself is a play on words, amuse-bouche is french for a single, bite sized hors d'oeuvre.
Young readers love anything having to do with food. This book is funny, has rhyme and rhythm. This book can be used with themes of poetry, urban farming, and cooking. "Secret Meat," "Ashley Won't Eat It If She Can't Spell It," and "Food Doesn't Grow in Packages" will spark dialogue about where food comes from, who touches it along its journey, and what artificial elements it contains.
The American Library Association named the book a 2015 Notable Children's Book.
Poetry
Ages 9-12
Young readers love anything having to do with food. This book is funny, has rhyme and rhythm. This book can be used with themes of poetry, urban farming, and cooking. "Secret Meat," "Ashley Won't Eat It If She Can't Spell It," and "Food Doesn't Grow in Packages" will spark dialogue about where food comes from, who touches it along its journey, and what artificial elements it contains.
The American Library Association named the book a 2015 Notable Children's Book.
Poetry
Ages 9-12
May 28, 2015
I liked the idea of this book and the whimsical illustrations more than the actual poetry itself, which didn't ring true for me as many poems were just downright strange. However, strange can often be good, so what made these poems ultimately not work for me? There was no sense of rhythm or cadence to many of them. Endings never truly resonated and often felt unresolved.
July 25, 2017
A Moose Boosh: Afew Choice Words About Food, is poetry book with beatiful photos of food taken by the author, Eric-Shabazz Larkin. This book is a great read for people who love poetry and food, and it includes topics about runaway beans, how a desk is not a dinner table, Chaz and the $100 dollar apple, and many more. This book makes the reader think about food in a different way; it's not just what we eat it is so much more.
January 23, 2018
A lively collection of poems about food. Some are funny, some are gross. Some were just okay. Definitely worth taking a look at, and would work well for a classroom poetry unit.
February 18, 2021
Fun poetry
October 7, 2022
What a charming, uplifting, funny book of poems about food.
November 24, 2025
Art inspired by Basquiat, poetry inspired by food and Shel Silverstein? How fun!
January 17, 2015
Review copy from publisher
The design and illustrations are what truly drew me into this book. Before the title page, there is already an illustration and a full page of definitions for "amuse-booche." That's handy, since most young readers may be unfamiliar with the term. We discover that it is a small, complimentary taste of food from the chef. The table of contents is designed as a menu. This was a very fun idea and one that brought chuckles. The humor in the illustrations throughout kept me reading. Larkin has taken photographs and added "graffiti" and drawings to create an amusing atmosphere. This goes along with the idea of the amuse-booche. He is both amusing the tongue and the mind.
There are several poems that stood out to me. 'My Father is a Painter' is one near the beginning of the book and it speaks of the plate as a canvas. One that young readers will likely enjoy is 'Runaway Beans.' Here is a portion of that piece:
"Poot!
They make me toot and poot and beep.
I toot so hard, I fly out of my seat."
Another that is quite fun is 'Slippery Noodles.'
"Twirl them, whirl them,
slop them, slip them,
twist them, curl them,
whip them, flip them..."
I would recommend some of the poems, but there are many that fell a little flat. Some rhymed and some didn't, but that wasn't it. Some just didn't flow. Often in those cases, I was appreciating the illustration more than the poem.
If you are looking for poetry to celebrate food, this would be a nice purchase, but otherwise, it may be one you would just borrow.
The design and illustrations are what truly drew me into this book. Before the title page, there is already an illustration and a full page of definitions for "amuse-booche." That's handy, since most young readers may be unfamiliar with the term. We discover that it is a small, complimentary taste of food from the chef. The table of contents is designed as a menu. This was a very fun idea and one that brought chuckles. The humor in the illustrations throughout kept me reading. Larkin has taken photographs and added "graffiti" and drawings to create an amusing atmosphere. This goes along with the idea of the amuse-booche. He is both amusing the tongue and the mind.
There are several poems that stood out to me. 'My Father is a Painter' is one near the beginning of the book and it speaks of the plate as a canvas. One that young readers will likely enjoy is 'Runaway Beans.' Here is a portion of that piece:
"Poot!
They make me toot and poot and beep.
I toot so hard, I fly out of my seat."
Another that is quite fun is 'Slippery Noodles.'
"Twirl them, whirl them,
slop them, slip them,
twist them, curl them,
whip them, flip them..."
I would recommend some of the poems, but there are many that fell a little flat. Some rhymed and some didn't, but that wasn't it. Some just didn't flow. Often in those cases, I was appreciating the illustration more than the poem.
If you are looking for poetry to celebrate food, this would be a nice purchase, but otherwise, it may be one you would just borrow.
April 23, 2015
"A Moose Boosh" by Eric - Shabazz Larkin is a visual and verbal delight. The over-arching FOOD theme is unique and interesting and tied neatly together on the final page with the author's statement "poetry is food for the soul."
I liked the fact that the author used a variety of poetic forms, and a variety of poetic and literary devices (rhythm, rhyme, strong verbs and adjectives, repetition, onomatopoeia, etc.) to make some strong statements about FOOD (eat green, avoid bio-engineered food, etc.). This would make the book a nice teaching piece. Shabazz Larkin also introduces the reader to some new things he or she may not be familiar with (like chitterlings). The use of humor is fun as well, as in "Why Ruby Loo Drooped When She Pooped." Elementary kids love poop humor!
I really the presentation of the poetry in this book. The use of photography overlain with graffiti is fun - but I think it plays older than the intended audience. As a result, I kept asking myself who this book was for. The writing is simple and plays young, but the graffiti plays older.
A couple of other things that I felt were problematic included that at times the fluidity rhythm of the writing was inconsistent, almost jarring at times. In addition, there were some things that I did not understand on my first read through, for example,the "I Didn't Steal Your Mangoes" poem, and the "Mr. Pace Said the Longest Grace" piece (especially the rattlesnake stanza). Confusing.
Overall, a unique, fun read. Recommended for all ages. This would be a fun read aloud book for a teacher or parent.
I liked the fact that the author used a variety of poetic forms, and a variety of poetic and literary devices (rhythm, rhyme, strong verbs and adjectives, repetition, onomatopoeia, etc.) to make some strong statements about FOOD (eat green, avoid bio-engineered food, etc.). This would make the book a nice teaching piece. Shabazz Larkin also introduces the reader to some new things he or she may not be familiar with (like chitterlings). The use of humor is fun as well, as in "Why Ruby Loo Drooped When She Pooped." Elementary kids love poop humor!
I really the presentation of the poetry in this book. The use of photography overlain with graffiti is fun - but I think it plays older than the intended audience. As a result, I kept asking myself who this book was for. The writing is simple and plays young, but the graffiti plays older.
A couple of other things that I felt were problematic included that at times the fluidity rhythm of the writing was inconsistent, almost jarring at times. In addition, there were some things that I did not understand on my first read through, for example,the "I Didn't Steal Your Mangoes" poem, and the "Mr. Pace Said the Longest Grace" piece (especially the rattlesnake stanza). Confusing.
Overall, a unique, fun read. Recommended for all ages. This would be a fun read aloud book for a teacher or parent.
February 13, 2017
A Moose Boosh is a very visual collection of short, entertaining poems themed around food, green living, and family. The small book includes full-page, color photographs that accompany each poem; at times the poems are even written on top of the picture of somehow integrated. Larkin also uses what he describes as graffiti style artwork to draw on top of these pictures which often adds humor or depth to the accompanying poem. It's a fun read with a variety of poem styles that can be used for casual reading, especially for budding epicureans, and for school assignments exploring poetry.
March 25, 2016
A Moose Boosh: A Few Choice Words About Food describes itself perfectly. The entire book is just a bunch of short poems that help the reader think about food through a few different lens.
I rated this book a four because I felt that it made food interesting to children. It used humor to gain the children's attention starting with the title which continued throughout the short book. It also used real pictures with some drawings on it to animate what was happening in the poems. I think children would really enjoy these poems. The poems are short and to the point. A topic is only talked about for a page or two and then it moves onto a new food. I believe this will help children remain engaged. The book as a whole was not too long either so it could be read in one setting or a few if that is what desired. There are some words that may need to be explained so the child gets a better understanding but other than that I didn't really have anything bad to say about this book.
I rated this book a four because I felt that it made food interesting to children. It used humor to gain the children's attention starting with the title which continued throughout the short book. It also used real pictures with some drawings on it to animate what was happening in the poems. I think children would really enjoy these poems. The poems are short and to the point. A topic is only talked about for a page or two and then it moves onto a new food. I believe this will help children remain engaged. The book as a whole was not too long either so it could be read in one setting or a few if that is what desired. There are some words that may need to be explained so the child gets a better understanding but other than that I didn't really have anything bad to say about this book.
January 16, 2015
This book is a true gem! It is just fabulous! I think it belongs in all school libraries and all libraries in general and it would make a great gift. The author/illustrator has filled this lovely little book with poems and graffiti art about food including topics from "The Food Desert In Harlem" to "Ashley Won't Eat it if She Can't Spell It". I found the book so funny and lovely and inspiring that I wrote a poem as a review of it.
A goofy graffiti artist dude
wrote a book of poems all about food.
He wrote and drew on photographs
that are guaranteed to give you laughs.
There are corny jokes,
healthy eating admonitions,
from serious to silly,
including some nutrition.
So grow your own food
skip that sad happy meal
because if you can't spell it
that "food" is not real.
To readers all ages
I do recommend
you must read this book
from beginning to end.
A goofy graffiti artist dude
wrote a book of poems all about food.
He wrote and drew on photographs
that are guaranteed to give you laughs.
There are corny jokes,
healthy eating admonitions,
from serious to silly,
including some nutrition.
So grow your own food
skip that sad happy meal
because if you can't spell it
that "food" is not real.
To readers all ages
I do recommend
you must read this book
from beginning to end.
April 13, 2016
A Moose Boosh: A Few Choice Words About Food is a short book of poetry about food from the perspective of a child. In this book it's really cute and can actually be knowledgeable to kids about different types of foods. The many different little poems teach children certain aspects of food through the eyes of another child.
I rated this book 4 stars because I loved the way it talked about all the aspects of food like growing, cooking, and eating. Although the book didn't really have a plot, it was cute and funny. I think kids can definitely understand the humor in some of the poems. For my children, I think it would be interesting for them to hear these different little poems, but some of the poems are a little harder to read so it might be better as a book I read out loud in a lesson about food.
I rated this book 4 stars because I loved the way it talked about all the aspects of food like growing, cooking, and eating. Although the book didn't really have a plot, it was cute and funny. I think kids can definitely understand the humor in some of the poems. For my children, I think it would be interesting for them to hear these different little poems, but some of the poems are a little harder to read so it might be better as a book I read out loud in a lesson about food.
March 23, 2016
This book of poetry of food and cooking really makes food seem more interesting to the reader. It also gives positive ideas of food to young readers about eating healthy, growing vegetables, trying new foods, and different situations of eating together with people. The pictures and illustrations through the book are great to see what the author is talking about and the drawings over the pictures make it more interesting for the reader. The book would be great for children to read to get them more interested in different foods and cooking. The book covers awide variety of topics and could give a lot of information to readers of all ages and get them interested. It also shows poetry doesn't have to be about people it can about foods.
March 25, 2016
Moose Boosh is series of poems about food told through the eyes of a kid living in the city. The main character discusses how he or she wants to live on a farm and grow his own food. The kid talks a lot about food throughout the book, whether it is about growing it, making it, or eating it.
I rated this book a two star because I just didn’t really find it interesting. Some of the poems were funny, but I couldn’t find a real meaning to the book. On the other hand, I really enjoyed the images. They usually had a picture with drawings on them, which resembled what the kid telling the story was talking about. Overall, I had a hard time trying to relate this to the real world. I did however notice there are some facts about food within the story.
I rated this book a two star because I just didn’t really find it interesting. Some of the poems were funny, but I couldn’t find a real meaning to the book. On the other hand, I really enjoyed the images. They usually had a picture with drawings on them, which resembled what the kid telling the story was talking about. Overall, I had a hard time trying to relate this to the real world. I did however notice there are some facts about food within the story.
May 18, 2016
"A Moose Boosh: A Few Choice Words about Food," explains the content of the book just by reading the title. The book is all about food and written in poem through the lens of a child living in a city. Some of the poems made me laugh, while others were quite odd to me. Overall, the book was fun and children would enjoy it. It gives a different perspective/understand of food and how it is grown, made, and prepared.
I rated the book 3/5 because I know students would enjoy it and it would be a good introduction to poetry in the classroom. It would help students think outside of the box when they were creating their own poems.
I rated the book 3/5 because I know students would enjoy it and it would be a good introduction to poetry in the classroom. It would help students think outside of the box when they were creating their own poems.
April 7, 2016
Moose Boosh is a book of poetry about food. I is seen through the eyes of a young child in a city. The child ultimate dream is to live on a farm where they can grow their own food. The child discusses all food-related topics such as growing food, cooking food, and consuming food.
I rated this book three stars because although I found that the poems were occasionally humorous, I did not see much of a point to them personally. However, I do think the illustrations were interesting. I think this story would be harder for students to relate to, as it deals solely with food, and I cannot find much of an educational benefit to it.
I rated this book three stars because although I found that the poems were occasionally humorous, I did not see much of a point to them personally. However, I do think the illustrations were interesting. I think this story would be harder for students to relate to, as it deals solely with food, and I cannot find much of an educational benefit to it.
January 13, 2016
Just... so-so. Several of the poems just didn't work for me, and I felt that a lot of the poems don't really work well for children, either. For example, I loved the titular poem, "A Moose Boosh", but don't think it's something that children would understand or care about. However, this would be a two-star review if not for the illustrations/photos and fun, stylish format of the book, which I really enjoyed, if only for style's sake. The idea that these poems are each a poetic amuse-bouche, er, moose-boosh is pretty cool, too.
May 12, 2016
** Spoilers Ahead**
A Moose Boosh is a book composed of poems and "vandalized" photos of food/objects you would see in a city. There is one kid specifically throughout the book that dreams of becoming a farmer. A Mosse Boosh celebrates both the food and the food process. How it is grown, how it is made, how to eat it, drink it, and the most important how to serve and share it with friends.
I chose to give this book three stars because although it is cleverly written and unique, but it was not very engaging and interesting.
A Moose Boosh is a book composed of poems and "vandalized" photos of food/objects you would see in a city. There is one kid specifically throughout the book that dreams of becoming a farmer. A Mosse Boosh celebrates both the food and the food process. How it is grown, how it is made, how to eat it, drink it, and the most important how to serve and share it with friends.
I chose to give this book three stars because although it is cleverly written and unique, but it was not very engaging and interesting.
April 5, 2016
A Moose Boosh: A Few Choice Words About Food is a book full of various poems written from a child's perspective about food. Each poem is about a different type of food, whether it be how it tastes, how it looks, how it is grown, etc.
I gave this book 3 stars because personally I found it interesting because I enjoy cooking and trying new foods. However, I am not sure it would interest or be able to keep the attention to elementary age children. A few of the poems and illustrations would be engaging but I predict the students losing interest.
I gave this book 3 stars because personally I found it interesting because I enjoy cooking and trying new foods. However, I am not sure it would interest or be able to keep the attention to elementary age children. A few of the poems and illustrations would be engaging but I predict the students losing interest.
May 2, 2015
I liked the poetry quite a bit; a fun romp on the subject of food. The illustrations didn't work as well. Sometimes it was hard to really see what was hiding under the graffiti overlay. They also sometimes seemed a little older than the audience for the poems (which felt upper elementary/middle school to me. My final quibble is that it is very New York City/Harlem focused. People in the hinterlands have some different ideas on food. I felt left out.
March 18, 2016
The subtitle of A Moose Boosh- "a few choice words about food" explains exactly what this book is about. It is an assortment of poems about food.
The book was decent, but nothing too thrilling. Some of the poems made me giggle as they are silly. I think it could be a good introduction to poetry for children. The photographs/illustrations made the book more interesting and flavorful (pun intended).
The book was decent, but nothing too thrilling. Some of the poems made me giggle as they are silly. I think it could be a good introduction to poetry for children. The photographs/illustrations made the book more interesting and flavorful (pun intended).
March 28, 2016
A Moose Boosh: A Few Choice Words About Food is a book of poems about food. It talks about different foods and has a fun poem to go along with it. The pictures are interesting, and I enjoyed looking at them.
I gave this book three stars because it was a really fun book, but I got bored with it really fast. Some of the poems were funny. I think children would enjoy some of them. I just don't think that they would really be excited about it.
I gave this book three stars because it was a really fun book, but I got bored with it really fast. Some of the poems were funny. I think children would enjoy some of them. I just don't think that they would really be excited about it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2016
“A Moose Boosh: A Few Choice Words About Food” by Eric-Shabazz Larkin is a story about food from a child’s perspective. Through these short little silly poems, the child talks about growing and eating food and all of the silly things that go along with it. The illustrations were cute and charming.
I gave this book 5 stars because I think that my students would really enjoy this fun book. It is an easy and quick read that I felt that children around the third grade and up would enjoy.
I gave this book 5 stars because I think that my students would really enjoy this fun book. It is an easy and quick read that I felt that children around the third grade and up would enjoy.
May 18, 2016
This book was very humorous and fun to read. I loved the titles for each recipe, the pictures, and the comedy. I think children would love to read this and it's also great to use for something fun for the class to do together. Picking recipes out of the book to make as a whole would be awesome and it teaches students how to work together to get something done. I rated this book five stars because it's fun, gives laughter, the illustrations were cool, and i enjoyed reading the book.
May 25, 2016
This book was a different type of book then I am used to reading. This book was a bunch of different poems about farming, and eating food. This book had good pictures throughout the poems though.
I give this book a 1 out of 5 because it was just a poetry book about food. I could not get really caught up in this book, and it was tough for me to finish. Honestly if it were not for the pictures I would have stopped reading.
I give this book a 1 out of 5 because it was just a poetry book about food. I could not get really caught up in this book, and it was tough for me to finish. Honestly if it were not for the pictures I would have stopped reading.
April 7, 2015
It’s poetry, it’s graffiti-ed photographs, it’s brilliant. As the poet Larkin himself says, “Poetry is food for the soul,/ Food is poetry for the tongue./ So read a delicious poem/ That makes your soul feel young.” Yummy and joyful, this collection will inspire kids to take selfies and food photos to a new, poetic level.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews