The Picky Eater

by Betsy Parkinson, Shane Clester (Illustrator)

Piper is a picky piglet! Especially when it comes to food. She prefers foods that begin with the letter P. Can she overcome her picky eating habits?

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Food

34 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2018

Reviews

[Mischenko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Piper the piglet has decided that she's only going to eat foods that start with the letter P: Pancakes, pizza, pineapple and peas to name a few. Her parents are frustrated and try everything in their power to get her to eat the meals she's being served. Piper won't give in and absolutely refuses to eat more than the five bites her parents request. Finally, Piper's mom becomes fed up and they give her an ultimatum. Will she finally learn her lesson after all?

We really enjoyed the story and lesson here. The illustrations fit so well with the story and the expressions on the character's faces depict their feelings so perfectly. We couldn't wait to see what Piper would do. Children will learn that if you try other foods, you just might like them after all!

I'd like to thank NetGalley for this ARC to allow me to share my honest review.

4****

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Piper is quite the little piglet. My grandson picked this book to read because it had a pig on the cover. He thought she was pretty funny, because he eats just about anything. When Piper won't eat what is served without cajoling, her mother finally loses it. If Piper doesn't want to eat what is being served, she can sit quietly and not eat anything. Of course the little pig gets hungry and finally eats. She realizes that other foods are good if you give them a try. The illustrations were quite cute and Piper's expressions said it all. A cute story to read when you have a stubborn piglet (child) of your own. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Piper the pig is a very picky eater. She will only eat foods that start with the letter P. Her parents are at their wits end. Tired of settling for just five meager bites each meal her mother insists on an end to Piper's complaining at the table. Hunger wins out. Piper tries new food and decides that it doesn't taste bad after all.

Having a picky eater myself at home I found this to be a funny story. I'm not sure if my daughter saw herself in this tale but I am certain that she enjoyed it. I'll be looking for more stories by Betsy Parkinson to add to my daughter's bedtime storylist.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a young pig named Piper who is a picky eater that will only eat foods that begin with the letter p. Throughout the book her family tries to persuade her to try various foods to which she refuses to take anymore than five bites of. She eventually broadens her horizons and tries foods that do not start with the letter p. I thought this was a great book that many children can relate to. I liked how this book was about a pig, generally known to eat anything and everything, being picky. It just goes to show you that anyone can be a picky eater. From a teacher’s perspective this book would be fantastic to use for teaching the letter p and would also be good for Health (nutrition). The illustrations were aesthetically pleasing and drew you in. Overall it was just a wonderful book that I would recommend to everyone!

[Etienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about a child (a pig in fact) that doesn't want to eat, except very specific food that she wanted. My problem about the story, because it isn't bad and the illustration are also pretty, but the moral seem to be meant for the parent and not for the kid, so I find that to be a strange idea, but still... not bad if you want to talk about how it's important to eat different thing.

[Sara Weather · Rating 2 out of 5]

*review to come*

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book about a pig that refuses to eat anything that doesn’t start with the letter “P.” I wish the book had a message for the parents—like a “what-to-do” to get your child to expand their horizons with food. Instead, I’m like the parents in the book—lose my shit and let them choose to either eat what I put in front or not at all

[Laura Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just. What exactly is the moral? It seems somewhat problematic.

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am babysitting my nieces tonight and it is the littlest turn to choose the book and she chosen this one. The Picky Eater is a children's picture book written by Betsy Parkinson and illustrated by Shane Clester. It is a book about a Piper, a picky eater piglet.

Parkinson's text is rather simple, straightforward, and humorous. It is a story about trying new things – in this case: eating, because one might enjoy it. Although, I am not particularly thrilled how the mother uses an ultimatum to force her daughter to eat. Clester's illustration is rather cartoonish, but apropos to the text and simply wonderful.

The premise of the book is rather simplistic and straightforward. It's about Piper, a picky piglet that insists on eating food starting with the letter "P". She would eat pancakes, pizza, pineapple, peas, and the list goes on. However, give her something that she would not touch it. After an ultimatum, Piper begins to try out food that doesn't start with "P" and finds out that she likes them.

All in all, The Picky Eater is a wonderful and hilarious children's book about trying out new things, despite misgivings, because one may learn to like or even love it.

[Caitlin McGrath · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Picky Eater," by Betsy Parkinson is about a Pig named Piper who only eats food that begins with the letter "P". She refuses to eat the food that her mom gives her because it does not start with the letter "P". She does this until she is so hungry that she takes a bite. She kept taking bites and even tried new foods. This book should win the Caldecott Medal 2020 because the story teaches a great lesson and the illustrations were done very well. The illustrations in this book are simple and colorful. Although some pages have details in the background, most of the pages have a plain background. The pigs are shown wearing clothes and eating at a dinner table, and the illustrations show the pigs' emotions on each page through their facial expressions. You can especially see that the illustrations of Piper's face show how she is feeling throughout the story. There are even small details in the illustrations that add to the story. On one page, Piper's mom is reading a cooking book titled "How to get your picky piglet to eat". This book would be good for younger children from kindergarten through second grade. It could be used to inspire children to try new things, even if they are outside of their comfort zone.

[Megan Charlton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a young girl who is a picky eater and will not eat anything that doesn’t start with the letter P. It is a rule that children may enjoy because they may think it is silly for someone to only eat P foods. However, being a picky eater can be relatable to many children and may help them feel heard. Towards the end of the story, the main character tries new foods on her own and enjoys them. This may help young children that trying new foods isn’t too bad after all. This book will be most beneficial in grades TK or K. There are many supporting activities that can be done with this book regarding spelling, recognizing the letter P, or thinking of good replacements for non-P foods that this character would eat!
This story can be related back to Heyman and Shortsleeve’s writing on Nonsense. This whole story could be considered nonsense, as the characters in this story are a family of pigs. Pigs cannot talk, pigs cannot differentiate between foods that start with the letter P, and pigs do not typically sit at the dinner table together. However, the story is a great metaphor for young children who may feel as if they are able to try new foods as the main character did.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

*thank you to Netgalley and Capstone for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review*

4 stars.

Such a great little book! And it's one that alot, and I mean ALOT of children will relate with. Piper is definitely a picky little piglet! She will only eat things beginning with the litter P. Pasta, Pizza, Peas, etc etc. Her parents try to get her to eat other foods by saying 'Just 5 bites. Which she does do but absolutely refuses to eat even a bit more. Finally her parents tell her that she doesn't have to eat but she also can not complain and she has to sit there night after night going hungry. Finally she decides she doesn't like to feel so hungry and discovers that eating foods beginning with different letters isnt so bad. This was quite an enjoyable read and the illustrations were excellent! I loved the colouring the most. If you have a picky little piglet of your own I reckon that they too will enjoy this book. Definitely recommend.

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Piper is an adorable, strong-willed little piglet who has made up her mind that she will only eat foods that start with the letter "P", just like her name. Both parents try to encourage her to try different foods, just five bites please, but Piper puts her hoof down and blatantly refuses.

Finally, totally exasperated, her mom has had enough. She looses her piggy marbles...

"Fine", she said to Piper. Don't eat.
but you may not utter a word.."

"But!" replied Piper.

"NOT. ONE. WORD."

Sounds like mom means business. Piper just sits there. Mom and Dad kept eating. This happens every night that week. Oh my! It seems it is a battle of the piggy-wills. Who do you think will win?

The illustrations are just great. The expressions of both Piper and her parents enrich the text greatly. If you are dealing with a pig-headed little food protestor in your family this is the perfect book to share. I highly recommend this book.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

PICKY EATER is a book with a good message for parents and kids. With bright illustrations, it helps explain the picky eater dilemma. It doesn't focus on health but on variety and why it's important to try new things and how there are consequences. As the parent of a very picky eater, I appreciate the way the parents try other options before laying down the hard line. For my son, I hope being able to tie his love of learning ("Name words that start with p.") with other foods he could try ("What letter does taco start with?") will help him accept the idea that he should try more foods like Piper. I like the easy flow of this book too. I think it's a good edition to a young child's library.

I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Picky Eater by Betsy Parkinson
Illustrated By: Shane Clester
Publisher: Picture Window Books
ISBN: 9781515829430
Publish Date: August 1,2018

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher Picture Window Books for the ebook ARC of The Picky Eater by Betsy Parkinson and illustrator Shane Clester in exchange for an honest review.

Piper is a very picky eater. She only prefers foods that begin with the letter “P”. Will Piper overcome her picky eating habits?

I give this book a rating of 4 stars. was a very cute book and very colourful illustrations. I think that it will help children that are picky eaters to try new foods.

#ThePickyEater #NetGalley

[Sandra Stiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Piper the pig is a picky eater. I found this funny because pigs will eat just about anything. Whenever they make her try anything new they only make her try five bites. Finally her parents have had enough and tell her she has to eat more than just the five bites. Like most children, when Piper gets hungry enough she tries other foods and realizes she likes them. This is typical of most children. Another great book I highly recommend.

[Mortisha Cassavetes · Rating 5 out of 5]

First I would like to Thank Netgalley for this digital copy. What a cute little piggy book. I really loved this story and great for kids who are picky eaters. It follows Piper who only likes to eat foods that start with the letter P until one day when her Mother gets upset. I definitely recommend this book to everyone of all ages especially the picky eaters.

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of cute. I've known a couple of these kids. One wouldn't eat anything other than yogurt and past noodles. Another on;y mac and cheese. Kids will make you crazy! But it's usually just a phase. Picky Eater by Betsy Parkinson might help, but don;t force the issue. And I certainly wouldn't read it to a child who wasn't picky! Why give them ideas?! Loved the illustrations- nice and bold!

[Lexie Kattelman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a cute concept and way to discuss picky eating although I don’t like how she literally went hungry for a week until she was hungry enough to try something new. Considering there are other books about picky eating for kids that I like more, I don’t think I would share this one with them.

[Nicole (book.quill) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic illustrations and the story really encapsulates the picky child and the frustration parents feel. I am and always have been a picky eater, and I can almost feel my parents frustration coming from this book!

[Crissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What parent can't relate to a picky eater, mine would pick a food and only eat that one food. Never ever have I dealt with a child that would only eat based on the letter the food started with. Read and see how mom finally loses her cool and ends picky eating at her table.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A picture book with some good advice for your picky eater.

[Tali Bitton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cutest book!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute book featuring a picky eater. A good book to read for children who may be struggling to try new foods.

[skcocnaH · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book just made me angry. That’s not how it works 🙄

[Ash Luna · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Picky Eater was an adorably cute read with a quite familiar issue of picky eating. My two kids loved the bright colorful illustrations. Cute read for any child.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the lesson in this book, but I hate a bratty kid. And the illustrations that use a pig (known to eat anything) as the picky eater, just doesn’t work for me. I know kids and parents who need a book like this, and I am happy the parents finally took a stand and said eat or don’t eat. It’s just a “how I was raised thing”. The author did a fine job, but the topic annoys me.

[Lulu's Book Journey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Picky Eater is an adorable book! Perfect for young children who may be going through a picky eating stage! Piper only wants to eat foods beginning with the letter P and complains nonstop if she does not get just that! This is a good story to show children how to become more open to trying new things! The illustrations of Piper and her parents facial expressions are priceless!!!

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Piper is a picky eater--with her particular palate, she prefers provisions that start with "P." What will she do when her parents persist in presenting her with uninviting options?

This colorful book makes a situation many families face humorous, giving families an opportunity to talk about being willing to try new foods. The illustrations are appealing, and my picky eater was eager to read this book with me.

I read a copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Zaneta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book out loud to my son and he loved the book. This book talked about how a picky eater can miss out on a lot of different foods and flavors, as well as possibly make their parents angry in the process. The story follows the little piglet as she only chooses to eat certain foods. During the story, her parents get fed up and take a stance and eventually the little piglet learns her lesson. A very good book that can teach children to appreciate what they have and try new things.