Broccoli for Breakfast

by Matilda James

Would you eat broccoli for breakfast?

What will Spencer choose for his birthday breakfast? His mother pulls out all the stops, baking and cooking his favorite treats, but is it what he wants? This charming and funny picture book teaches listening and communication skills with love and humor.

34 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2018

Reviews

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is Spencer's Birthday and he always gets to choose what he wants for breakfast on his birthday. He goes to the kitchen and his mother has made many things, what she says is his favorite breakfast. But, she didn't ask him what he wanted. When he tells her he wants broccoli for breakfast, she makes him more things to choose from, but still no broccoli. This is a story that teaches how important it is to really listen to people when they talk to you. She did a lot of work that she wouldn't have had to do if she has asked and listened. A good story to use when teaching about listening and communication skills. The illustrations are well done and certainly add to the text. Young children will enjoy this story, especially if they enjoy their vegetables. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.

[Storywraps · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book that teaches us that communication and listening are a critical component in a relationship.

Spencer's birthday arrives and his mother wants to prepare him a breakfast that is fit for a king. She gets up early in the morning and prepares... and prepares... and prepares... all of his favourite foods hoping to surprise him when he wakes up with a feast befitting a king.

When he finally rolls out of bed and enters the kitchen she is quite surprised (and taken aback) by his choice of what he considers to be his all-time favourite. He spurns all the yummy food on her menu and chooses.... a big steaming bowl of broccoli. Oh my!

I must admit I feel bad for the mother who tries so hard to bless her beloved son on his special morning but perhaps she should have checked with him the night before and asked him what foods he preferred to indulge in on his birthday morning. It would have saved her a lot of time and effort and if he requests broccoli, then broccoli it is!

I think tho if I had been Spencer I would have tried a sampling of mother's cooking and saved my personal request for dessert... le pièce de résistance. The duo could have happily celebrated together both sharing the bounty that had been so lovingly prepared. "Kindness begets kindness' is a valuable life lesson to practice on your birthday or on any day.

Happy birthday Spencer, please enjoy your broccoli breakfast to the max! Indulge and savour! Vive le broccoli!

[Richelle Zirkle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spencer's mom gets up and makes a huge delicious breakfast for his 7th birthday. Well and good, except Spencer wakes up and only wants broccoli for breakfast. The pictures are cute, and there is something to be said for learning effective communication and listening. That said, I don't see the appeal of this title, but the idea of broccoli for breakfast makes my four year old laugh, so there's that.

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Susan Underbrink · Rating 3 out of 5]

A big thank you to NetGalley and Xist Publishing for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. First time reading this author. I have mixed feelings about this book. First I don't know any children who want broccoli for breakfast on their birthday. Maybe it needs to say how much he loves broccoli. The other thing is his attitude toward his mom. Is it appropriate? I am not sure. The outcome is good., I guess. Not something I would buy. Still it is a nice premise. I rate it a 3.5 .

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a free ARC from NetGAlley in exchange for my honest review.

This book was okay. The illustrations were colorful and the story was okay, but it just didn't engage me as some others that I have read lately.

[Karen Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Broccoli for Breakfast is a cute book that follows a little boy who wants broccoli for his birthday breakfast. His mom makes him all the typical treats that you would expect, but he insists that he really wants broccoli. Not a terribly compelling story, however, It's meant for early readers and they would likely find it funny/groanworthy!
The illustrations are well done and bring the story alive.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this children's book prior to publication in exchange for an honest review.

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

My copy of “Broccoli for Breakfast” didn’t have words - except for one page... was this supposed to be a wordless picture book? If so, it didn’t have enough of an explanation in the pictures to help me understand what was happening.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The words were missing on my copy of this book. Only one page had words and they didn’t make sense. I'm happy to find out that this is not supposed to be a wordless book, because the story is a little complicated for that. And I don’t think the art can make the book stand on it’s own feet.

[Tiina]

When I read the title of this short book, I was reminded of my first ever experience with broccoli. And I would have questioned any person who wanted to eat broccoli and for breakfast at that. I ended up really liking this book. It was fun and entertaining and utterly delightful.

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a silly children's book. Spencer wakes up on his seventh birthday; he can't wait to get downstairs, since his family has a tradition of cooking whatever the birthday child wants to eat. He enters the kitchen, ready to submit his request, only to find his mom is already hard at work. She's got quite a spread already made: cinnamon rolls, muffins, several other types of pastries, pancakes, fruit parfaits, and on and on.

Spencer compliments his mom on how good everything looks and admits he only wants broccoli for breakfast. She doesn't initially believe him, whipping up more delightful offerings (waffles, pancakes, bacon, eggs), only for him to reinforce a couple more times that broccoli is honestly his only breakfast desire.

At the close, she takes him at his word and prepares a plate of broccoli. The final page has her smiling at him across the table, somewhat chagrined, as he delightfully digs in.

This is a short story, and I can see children wanting to share what they themselves would pick for their special breakfast (although I suspect not too many agree with Spencer when they see all the other options his earnest, hardworking mother has prepared).