D.W. the Picky Eater

D.W.

by Marc Brown

D.W. has great taste, but when it comes to eating, YUK! she hates spinach. This is a delicious story for all picky eaters who do not know how great something can taste until they try it.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Food, Family, Nutrition, Humor

Library Binding

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Marc Tolon Brown is perhaps best known for his series of children's books about Arthur the aardvark, which was turned into an animated television show on PBS. Brown is a three-time Emmy Award winner, for his role on the television show inspired by his books.

He lives on Martha's Vineyard and in New York City with his wife, Laurie Krasny Brown. He has three children, sons Tolon and Tucker, and daughter Eliza. The names of his two sons have been hidden in all of the Arthur books except for one: Arthur's Tooth.

Reviews

[Jasmine from How Useful It Is · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for my kids' bedtime. DW was a picky eater and she disliked most was spinach. Her family left her at home with a babysitter when they go out to eat at restaurants. When she saw Arthur has cool little umbrellas, she decided to be good and be willing to eat so that she could go out with the family for a chance to get the little umbrellas. The restaurant didn't have umbrellas this time. She actually enjoyed her meal. But to her surprise, the hidden dish was... spinach! 😂

I liked the PBS tv shows.

Read from kindle unlimited.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I swear this book helped me when I was young. I'd relate well to D.W.'s fussiness around food, and I was able to see, thanks to the book, that part of being a picky eater is simply silly. The picky eater is nervous about foods of a certain look, name, or color. But lo and behold! When they actually eat the food, they often like it. We read this one During Daily readings countless times and it improved my ways with food. It's a high-quality series and this is one of its best.

[Ronyell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now, I have been a huge fan of Marc Brown’s “Arthur” series ever since I was a little girl and I guess I will make it my goal to read up on all of Marc Brown’s “Arthur” series! So, when I found out that Marc Brown had a made a spin off series to his “Arthur” books that stars Arthur’s little sister D.W., of course I was interested to see how D.W. will fare with her own series and for my first read from the “D.W.” series, “D.W. the Picky Eater” was a pretty entertaining read!

D.W. is the world’s pickiest eater as she refuses to eat anything that is new or looks disgusting; but the food that D.W. loathes more than anything in the world is…SPINACH! Because of D.W.’s eating habits, her family has a difficult time trying to get her to eat anything without complaining. But when D.W. throws a tantrum on a family outing, D.W.’s family decides that D.W. should stay home whenever they go out to eat and D.W. starts wondering about what she is really missing out on the family outings. One day, D.W.’s family decided to go out and celebrate Grandma Thora’s birthday at a fancy restaurant and D.W. wanted to go with them.

Will D.W. get over her “picky eater” habits in time for Grandma Thora’s birthday party?

Read this book to find out!

As always whenever I am reading Marc Brown’s “Arthur” books, Marc Brown knows how to bring on the humor with these characters while at the same time, giving these characters experiences that are relatable to any reader. I loved the fact that we get to explore what it is like being a picky eater through D.W.’s perspective as it was entertaining seeing what kind of food D.W. will turn down because it was new and it looked disgusting to her. It was also interesting seeing the consequences that D.W. goes through in being a picky eater as she was not allowed to participate in the family’s restaurant outings due to her misbehavior. To be honest, I can relate to D.W. being a picky eater since I am a picky eater myself as I will eat food that clashes with what my family wants. For example, if my family wants to go to Wendy’s, then I usually want to go to Chick-fil-A or whenever my family wants to go to KFC, I usually want to go to Ruby Tuesday. I also like the fact that Marc Brown was able to produce a book that focuses mostly on D.W. since I wanted to see more adventures from Arthur’s family and this book did an excellent job at giving D.W. the spotlight in the “Arthur” series! Marc Brown’s artwork is as usual adorable and fun to look at as all the characters are drawn as half animal, half human hybrids and yet, it just makes the characters look even more creative than usual! I also loved the images of D.W. always having a disgusted look on her face every time she tries a food product that is new to her as it was hilarious to look at!

Overall, “D.W. the Picky Eater” is a truly entertaining children’s book for fellow picky eaters and anyone who is a huge fan of Marc Brown’s “Arthur” series! I would recommend this book to children’s ages four and up since there is nothing inappropriate in this book, unless D.W.’s bratty behavior might cause concern for some parents.

Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember these books being longer. It was fun finding the hidden names.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This used to be one of my favorite books when I was in elementary school.

[Angieleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arthur was one of my favorite shows to watch with my sons when they were growing up and I am so happy that my nephew likes the book series!

As a fussy eater myself, I know all about picky eaters; my sons are both really picky eaters, especially my oldest as he's autistic, so is my nephew. Their diet leaves something to desire, but when they're willing to try something new, as D.W. finally did after throwing a few hissy fits, it's cause for a celebration.

I recommend this for parents who have fussy eaters, maybe by the time you finish the book your kids will be willing to try a new food, too!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun book. The little girl had a whole list of foods she would never think of eating. She caused a scene in a restaurant, telling her parents she wouldn't eat the food. The family got a baby sitter for her, whenever the rest of the family went out to eat. She finally decided she was missing out on things, and went out to her grandma's birthday party. She loved the pot pie she ordered, and said she could eat it ever day, only to learn it had a lot of spinach in it, which she said she hated.

[Jessie Jiang · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK. This was one of my all time favorite books as a kid. It made me obsessed with the idea of chicken pot pie and I want to shout out Marie Calendar in this review bc wow are those some good chicken pot pies. I remember staring at the drawings as a kid being obsessed with the food and wanting to eat it so badly. Now here I am at 24 rating a children's book bc we might as well finish this reading challenge the most ridiculous way possible. Overall this is a solid children's book and one that I would even want to read to my own children some day.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as cute as I remembered

I loved this book as a kid because it reminded me of my sister, who didn't entirely hate teasing when compared to DW, who was very reasonable about her picky eating. What kid doesn't relate to refusing to try some of those foods or getting surprised by good/not bad spinach dishes? I'm just happy after taking a walk down memory lane, and not finding anything horrible in the background. (The adults were all fine. )

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

D.W. is a mischievous little girl (actually an aardvark) with an older brother named Arthur. This is part of a popular series of books by Marc Brown. She does a lot of different things throughout the story to avoid trying new foods, like giving food to the dog and dropping her sandwich in the dirt. The characters are realistic and funny, and the illustrations are beautifully detailed. I feel like a lot of picky eaters will identify with D.W. The story has a fun surprise ending!

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A basic run through of a childhood as a picky eater. Nothing really new or interesting to add to the trope. As a parent, the solution of hiring a babysitter to stay home with the picky eater is tempting but far-fetched due to the added cost and scheduling requirements. The book isn’t too preachy, but it doesn’t really land the moral lesson either.
If you’re looking for a book to help convince a picky eater to be more adventurous, this isn’t your answer.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little sister DW is a bit of a picky eater. She finally agrees to eat what's in front of her in order to be able to join the family at a special dinner. Lo and behold, a favorite new food turns out to be stuffed with her least favorite - oh that sneaky spinach!
How well this resonates with your own picky eater might vary, but I can definitely see pulling it out in a storytime on trying to new things/foods or on eating healthy options. Arthur and his friends are always entertaining.

[Danielle T · Rating 4 out of 5]

technically a reread, 3.5 rounding up.

My sibling was a picky eater so I remember we had this book growing up. H will sometimes say things are yucky "because it's gross" and I don't know that D.W. really gets around it until she eats them in the chicken pot pie. The illustrations feel a little more pencil soft in this D.W. book than they are in the mainline Arthur ones.

also maaaaaan Mother being embarrassed because of a tantrum at the restaurant is very relatable

[Sterlande Altidor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great way to get started talking about healthy foods to younger children. I love this book the D.W. the picky eater book, because I love watching D.W. at the Arthur TV show. As a mom, I have been able to disguise a few foods for my son after reading this book to him. This book is a good book, with an easy flow, nice illustrations, and very relatable.

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

i gotta do some research ... thought the person who did this work was a different named author? now i am curious. great illustrations. love it. so fun. picking or not ... so fun to read ... i guess at times picky is good ... but be open to try new items (food) in your life. it makes you a well rounded person. so important.

[Sydney Holloway · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great representation of "you never know what you like until you try it!". This Motto, I use often for myself and others around me. There is a lot of food that can be made in different ways for you to try. So, you can never say you don't like anything! D.W is a very picky eater and in this book she was very surprised when she tried something new!

[Elizabeth Keys · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was about D.W was not going to try new food.

I choice this rating because I think that people should get more understanding what they are read. And I had dislike was the spun.

[Rachel Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for hard to reach individuals

Great book to read to your picky, finky, wouldn't try anything new individual. This will help them know that it is alright to try something new.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little D>W> is so very adamant about NOT eating certain t hings and making such a mess that she should really never be seen in public eating. How do her parents get her to be a better eater? The illustrations in this book are just adorable, quick, fast, cute read!

[Candida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picky eaters out there

This is a great book to point out the importance of trying new things. I think most of us know and love a picky eater of our own, it's not so uncommon. Give this book a try it could help.

[Carol Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maxi Age 4

Momma: what happened with DW?
Maxi: DW didn’t eat her food. And then she did eat her food.
Momma: What did she order?
Maxi: She ordered spinach but she didn’t know.
Momma: Did she like it?
Maxi: I think she did like it.

[Grandma M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a funny book. There are probably some who would quibble with the "good little eater" and "clean plate warrior" but DW is so extremely picky. It reasonably points out that you're going to miss out on a lot if you are that extreme.

[Kelly Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

**Found in the 20th Century Children's Book Treasury*

You'd think the daughter of a chef would be more open minded 😐

I actually love this episode of the Arthur TV show and was obsessed with the Fairytale/Storybook themed restaurant they went to. And that potpie always looked soooo good.

[Amber]

1 Copy

[Constance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picky eater

This book was very appropriate for my three old picky eater grandson. He enjoyed the story very much and thought is was funny.😄

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

My kids (not picky eaters) enjoyed this book over and over again. They love reading about DW unknowingly eating and enjoying her least favorite food, spinach.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kept my son interested

My son didn’t get bored half way through and laughed at the end. Made him think to try new things to eat, in a different was of course.

[Lucus M. Lienau · Rating 5 out of 5]

a review by EV (5 yo)

I like this book because i like daddy reading the voices in the story. especially, “march, quick like a bunny”

[Adalynd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alright

It’s alright, cute funny story kid enjoyed it but it wasn’t an absolutely favorite. Definitely a book well only read once!

[shivaram challa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

It was a good bed time story to read for my kid. He enjoyed it, especially since he loves spinach!!