Meatless?: A Fresh Look At What You Eat

by Sarah Elton, Julie McLaughlin (Illustrator)

Humans are eating more meat than ever before. At the same time, vegetarianism is capturing more widespread attention. From Meatless Mondays to vegan options, people are talking more about meat and whether or not to eat it.

Journalist Sarah Elton tackles the topic by explaining what vegetarianism is, why people choose it, and how their reasons—including religion, animal rights, food security, and the environmental cost of eating meat—have changed over time. The book closes with practical tips for making the switch, and perspectives from vegetarian kids.

As a conflicted meat eater herself, Elton encourages freedom to choose. Lively illustrations, sidebars, and sources, plus a glossary, index, and further reading suggestions make this a friendly, comprehensive introduction to vegetarianism.

LEVELING
Grade Range: 4–8
Fountas & Pinnell: T
Lexile: 1020L

COMMON CORE
W.5.1,2,4,6,7,8,9,9b,10
SL.5.1,1a,1c,1d,2,3,4,5,5
RF.5.3,3a,4,4a,4c
L.5.3,4,4a,4b,4c,5,5a,6
RI.5.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9,10

Genres: Nonfiction, Picture Books, Middle Grade, Childrens

48 pages, Hardcover

Published May 16, 2017

Reviews

[Mischenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meatless?: A Fresh Look At What You Eat by Sarah Elton is an educational book for children to understand just what it means to be a meat-eater. It answers questions about where meat comes from, environmental cost, greenhouse gasses, and other food options. It also explains the differences between being vegetarian, vegan, flexitarian, and pescatarian.

I was thoroughly amazed at the amount of information in this book. It leads children to start thinking about their own food choices. The book isn't for or against meat; it just explains the simple facts. I loved how the author discussed greenhouse gasses, as this is something our children are hearing more about daily.

I enjoyed the sample menu, further reading, and recommended vegetarian cookbooks in the back.

Overall 5*****

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meatless? A Fresh Look At What You Eat by Sarah Elton is a book about choices. The book starts out by talking about meat and where different meat is eaten and and why. Then the different types of vegetarian classes. Who eats what. Then it is discussed why religions may effect a persons choice. Other reasons such as climate change, conservation, humanity, person choice, health reasons, etc. Then it talks about how it is possible for many people to eat at a table together that have various meal choices that differ. The book mostly emphasizes that is the reader's choice what they want to eat, not anyone else. This book is just to clear up any misunderstandings and give the reader choices and information they may not have had before. Great book. Very informative and lays out the information without pushing any agenda, religion, or meal choice. Thanks NetGalley for letting me read this book.

[Lucy Banks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of Meatless from Netgalley, in return for an honest review.

I've been a vegetarian myself for over 1o years now, and my kids often like to ask questions about it - so when I saw this book, I was naturally drawn to it.

The book (which is incidentally written by a meat-eater), provides a non-biased, informative view on vegetarianism, talking about the history of eating meat, the various religions and cultures that choose not to eat it, plus offering helpful advice to becoming a vegetarian.

I particularly enjoyed sections on the history - it was well researched and highly accessible. I also liked the nutritional information, as so often, people struggle to understand how veggie diets can't be 'lacking' in some way or another! The illustrations complimented the content nicely, and overall, it was an interesting, useful read.

At times, I felt the book was perhaps slightly too 'dense' for younger audiences. My two are 7 and 5, and my 5 year old wandered off at one point. However, it's important to note that this book is clearly aimed at older kids - perhaps more like 11+?

I can see this book being really useful in schools, it would make an excellent reference book. It's also good for us veggie parents, who often get asked lots of complex questions by our children! I personally let my kids eat meat, but they often say they want to go veggie, so it's good to be able to give them a balanced opinion on the matter.

Many thanks for the advance copy of this book, it was good to read.

[Kim Soldatke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up from the library. Interesting non fiction explanation of why some people don’t eat meat. “…no matter what, make sure there’s room at your table for everyone.”

[jess ~has abandoned GR~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meatless is a much-needed addition to our public library.

The author presents reasoned arguments for both eating or not eating meat, and provides helpful dietary commentary on making sure that children who decide to become vegetarian will still get the necessary proteins and vitamins.

One page in particular was very heartwarming, reminding readers to always make room for everyone at the table. Eating is a very social activity, and it's important to be inclusive while still maintaining your own eating values and preferences.

Overall, very well researched, and very well presented. Highly recommended.

received via Netgalley for review purposes

[Ronda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will fill a void in our school library. While we have cookbooks and books on nutrition, we don't have anything for kids who might be interested in becoming vegetarian. Instead of approaching the topic in a militant or didactic fashion, the author explains her own experience in becoming aware of food choices, guides the reader into a brief look at the history of meat-eating, explores various reasons people might have for reducing or removing meat from their diets, then offers responsible and healthy suggestions for a one-week meat-free trial. Also included is a short list of cookbooks recommended as good and kid-friendly and a list of resources.

Things I especially liked: a nicely done explanation of complete proteins from legume/grain combos and how that has led to some of the different ethnic dishes, as well as a description of some of these combinations; diversity in the illustrations; and the sensitivity and respect with which the subject is presented.

I would like to see citations referenced in the text instead of just lumped at the end, particularly on the greenhouse gas emission figures (pp 24-25) and the reference to "some scientists" recommending we eat more insects (pg 27). It is perhaps just a stylistic point, but the website citations do not include dates accessed or URLs.

I will definitely be adding this title to our library collection. Review based on ARC from NetGalley.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meatless? By Sarah Elton had so much more information that I was expecting. This is a very educational book for middle grade (junior) children to understand what it means to be a meat eater. It discusses things such as where meat comes from, the environmental cost (cutting down forests etc.), greenhouse gasses, and other food options. It also explains the differences between being vegetarian, vegan, flexitarian, and pescatarian. It also talked about various religions and what they believed. The way it was presented was easy to read and interesting. It would help children make decisions about how they want to eat, and what they want to eat. The book doesn't try to sway anyone to be for or against meat, it just explains the simple facts. The author even included a weeks menus showing how you could eat without meat for one week. The back of the book contained a glossary, further reading suggestions and even recommended some vegetarian cookbooks. I liked that the book talked about accommodating everyone's eating style at your home so they feel welcome. A good book to be used with youngsters asking these types of questions, those considering a change in their eating habits as well as when you are teaching about the environment and the impact raising animals for meat has. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.

[Marzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

After recently reading this article in the Washington Post, in which an online survey found 7% of people surveyed thought chocolate milk could mes from brown cows, and an study in 2011 found that only 22% of all 4-6th graders know pickles are cucumbers, I thought reviewing a few books about food and farms would be a good plan.

Meatless is an excellent primer on vegetarianism, veganism or even flextarianism as alternative diets. There are so many reasons, well described, from animal welfare to limiting greenhouse gases for vegetarianism. The book gives a thorough grounding in the ethics, the pragmatics and even offers example meal plans. Targeting a Middle School reader, the book is an accessible read. Since I was a strict vegetarian from age 12-24, I appreciate the admonishments about the need to eat a diet balanced in protein, minerals and vitamin B12. All in all, a great book for those looking to learn more about going meatless!

[Maria Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I mostly picked it up because I really like the illustrations, but the topic was interesting to me too. I was (pleasantly) surprised reading it - I don’t eat meat, but I thought the book was going to be preachy but it isn’t at all. In fact the author is a meat-eater and the point of this book really seems to be introducing children to different types of eating (vegetarians, vegans, pescetarians, etc.), ways to eat healthy, different religious views on meat, and various reasons why people don’t eat meat (factory farming, high cost, environmental). I like that this book basically presented some facts and told kids it’s their decision. I like the ending a lot!

A few quotes I liked:
“Pythagoras believed that animals and humans belong to the same family, and that when a human dies, the soul is reborn in the body of an animal. He set out dietary rules that included not eating meat. Today, he’s sometimes called the Father of Vegetarianism.” (p. 9)

“One of the oldest Chinese texts that we know of describes some food rules. It warns against eating too much meat. It says that after your meal, your breath should smell of rice, not meat.” (p. 14-15)

[Wunderdrugged · Rating 4 out of 5]

This title is nominated for the 2019 Hackmatack Award in the non-fiction category. It explores the question of whether or not to eat meat, and provides helpful information for kids who are curious about going meatless. Touching on the differences between vegetarian, vegan, flexitarian, etc, this book uses kid friendly language to explain how different cultures & religions, and where we live on the planet, influence our diet. The illustrations were great, and I really appreciated the nonjudgmental tone - the idea that there is a place for everyone at the table. I thought it was a great idea to include meal ideas for a full meatless week, and it was cool to read about foods from other cultures that I am not familiar with. Loved that they included further reading suggestions and recommended cook books, but it would have been even better if there was a recipe for kids to try. I would definitely recommend this one to kids (and teens!) who are interested in possibly going vegetarian.

[Nicole Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good introduction to vegetarianism for kids- for adults too! I like that it touches on all of the reasons that people can choose from to go meatless and it stresses how important it is to further your food education as well. It touches on issues like factory farming and food production costs in language that manages to stay informative without being scary for little ones.
I loved the weekly meatless meal plan- even though I've been meatless for 5+ years, I would follow that meal plan. There is a good selection of references and recommended reading in the back too.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty thorough look at what it means to not eat meat--what choices you have to fulfill your protein needs and why you might not want to eat meat, either for religious, environmental or personal reasons. I liked the fact that the author was not a vegetarian. Maybe because it didn't seem biased? The facts were there, including how animals are often treated in large meat producing factories, and the author also included a few stories by real-life vegetarian and vegan kiddos.

[Michelle (MichellesBookishLife)]

This is a great book for kids about vegetarianism! It speaks to the kids who might not be vegetarians, but are thinking about it, as well as vegans and pescatarians. I thought it explains why abstaining from eating meat is good for your health as well as the environment. It even explains why some religions don’t eat certain meats, or prepare it a certain way. This is a great one for any collection!

Thanks to Netgalley.com for a review copy of this book.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Covers a lot of very good updated information. This is more than telling someone to be a vegetarian for health reasons. It exposes the cost - both in dollars to raise animals for consumption - and the climate costs (use of water, oil/gas for transporting, methane gas in atmosphere). I highly recommend it.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is awesome and I wish I'd had it 20+ years ago when I was deciding to stop eating meat. It would have cleared up a lot of the thoughts and feelings I wasn't able to articulate on my own and made it easier to explain to my family why my diet was changing. Such a great resource!

[Diya Harish · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I read this book, it's show the importance of animals and tells you the harmful process of become meat. It's shows livestock produce methane gas which is harmful to environment. I recommend this read it shows going vegetarian can help save animals and our planet.

[Lauri Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and informing book about meat- how it is raised, implications of raising meat, discussion of the right amount of meat, and why prosper decide to become vegetarians.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and not overly preachy.

[Chadd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for kids and adults. I think it could be a bit more hospitable to meat eating, but with how bad eating meat is for the environment, I understand.

[Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meatless? A Fresh Look At What You Eat by Sarah Elton is a fantastic and easy read for any person who is considering vegetarianism, veganism, or plant-based diets.

This book would be great in a public library or available in schools for younger readers who are seeking honest answers to alternative ways of eating. There is no obvious bias from the writer in this book. She simply offers interesting facts and information regarding the food that we eat and why we eat it.

I am impressed by the amount of information available in this book regarding the environmental effects of eating meat and the costs of eating meat.

For readers who do want to remove meat from their diets, there are easy to follow suggestions and recipes available in this book. The glossary and index with source information and further reading titles also make for a handy guy for those who want to really consider a plant-based diet.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in a meatless diet. For vegetarian, vegan, or plant-based diet parents, this is a great book to share with your children!

I received this book at no cost, courtesy of NetGalley, for my honest feedback and review.

[Critterbee❇ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meatless? is an excellent book for young readers. The book answers a lot of questions about meat-eating and vegetarianism, in a way that is unbiased and easy to understand. Author Elton covers the many different reasons for not eating meat, and does not malign meat-eaters for making the choice to eat meat. The book does not state that any eating preferences are inferior.

There are tips for children who wish to try going vegetarian. Readers are urged to be tolerant of family and friends' diets, to include everyone when preparing meals, and to try to offset any trouble that they may cause by changing their diets.

Nutrition is also included, so that children who want to go meat-free know how important it is to eat healthily. Meal plans are included, but no recipes. I think the book would be better for including a dozen or so easy, healthy recipes to illustrate how easy preparing vegetarian meals can be. Other than that, I really liked the book's fair tone, extensive information and ease of understanding. Very colorful and comprehensive.

**eARC Netgalley**

[Muriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

For middle school age children considering a vegetarian lifestyle Meatless provides a case for being meatless. The book is broken down into sections such as, what is vegetarianism, history of meat eating, why go vegetarian, and if not meat then what. In the why go vegetarian section animal welfare and the high cost of meat to our environment is investigated. Kids might be surprised to learn that 14.5 % of greenhouse gas emissions are caused by meat and dairy production. If the reader is swayed to making this healthy lifestyle change the book explores a healthy diet, complete proteins, meat free week long menu ideas, and tips from real kids that already embrace the veggie diet. At the end of the book are definitions and resources to develop a plant based lifestyle.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was not what I was expecting, in a good way. A confessed meat eater has put together a book for kids about vegetarianism and why people do and do not eat meat. At no time are sides taken. Originally, especially when she talks about killing a chicken in the beginning, I thought this would be a rant on the dangers of meat. But it is not. Instead it is a well thought out answer to questions for anyone thinking about what we eat and why. She explains many concepts such as vegan diets, or veggie diets that allow fish. They go over over social, religious, and even financial reasons why various diets exist. This is an excellent book on nutrition and food philosophies that should be in libraries.

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enlightening introduction to vegetarianism -- its origins, the possible reasons behind people's choices, and dietary information that one should know when eating vegetarian. She also provides a fairly thorough look into the role of meat in our lives and in our history, which is both interesting as well as important in understanding how and why many cultures today eat meat. I appreciate the fact that the author provides a very balanced and informative look into the different eating preferences, with a consistent emphasis on personal choice.

The layout and text is clear, simple but not dumbed-down, and well-balanced with attractive illustrations. A glossary offers definitions of the more technical terms, and supplementary information includes further reading, and recommended vegetarian cookbooks. I highly recommend this title for inclusion in any school or personal library!

[Mills College Library]

613.262 E515 2017