Children's Books discussion

Not eating meat is a good thing. Can we find any good children's or YA books about characters who are or become vegans or vegetarians?

One I saw is Twas The Night Before Thanksgiving - has anybody read this?

Cheryl--I know you already saw this in another convo, but I'll go ahead and repeat the link here so that those coming to this discussion can find it:

http://vegetarian.about.com/gi/o.htm?...

The Thanksgiving one is on my to-read shelf.

I know I've read a ton of books. I'll try to eventually post a list.

I'll post just one now, as it's one not designed specifically for veg*n children, and it's not hitting the reader over the head with the message, but it's so funny and sweet and it's about a vegetarian dragon: How Droofus the Dragon Lost His Head by Bill Peet. ETA: I just read my review and was reminded he seems to be vegan.

Peet has written some neat books. They're not new and shiny, but they're still valuable. I've added Droofus to my wishlist.

I know I have many more that I've read, but I was just looking for picture books about school for the picture book club and came upon this one again:

That's Why We Don't Eat Animals: A Book About Vegans, Vegetarians, and All Living Things

It's not a storybook. It's an educational non-fiction picture book.

I know I've read a Thanksgiving book different from the one mentioned above, but it's a picture book too.

Sometimes It's Turkey, Sometimes It's Feathers, perhaps? It's a cute story about an old woman who plans to have turkey for Thanksgiving dinner--but then she ends up befriending the turkey, so what will she do!? This would be a good one for vegetarians/vegans, I think.

Kathryn wrote: "Sometimes It's Turkey, Sometimes It's Feathers, perhaps? It's a cute story about an old woman who plans to have turkey for Thanksgiving dinner--but then she ends up befriending the ..."

Kathryn, Thank you. Yes, that is the one.

There are a ton of books advertised in veg*n publications of books written for veg*n children, but I like the ones that don't hit you over the head about the subject.

That's true, Lisa. I think, too, that is more productive way of introducing non-veg*n children to that philosophy.

Kathryn wrote: "That's true, Lisa. I think, too, that is more productive way of introducing non-veg*n children to that philosophy."

I would agree with that. The heavy-handed approach will likely not get too many eager converts, I know I never liked (and don't like) being preached at or to.

Most of the didactic books, I think, are designed for children in veg*n families who might feel different from others; they're to help them feel not alone. So, I can't hate them, if they work. But, I still wish I was a writer: I'd write children' novels where some of the characters just happened to be vegan or vegetarian. No big deal. I think that's a better way to make kids feel as though they belong in their communities.

I agree, Lisa! That would be a great way to do it :-)

good ideas, tx all!

To bump this thread, I'm copying a post from another discussion:

Dora wrote: "Do the Sweet & Sara ones toast over the campfire pretty well?"

Lisa replied: Many marshmallows work. Dandies might work the best but they're too small. Sweet and Sara's work very well. So do some others. I can sometimes find them in health food stores but sometimes I have to order online. There are many online stores that cater to vegans in the U.S. (and others in the U.K., etc.) Two I order from about once a year each (more often would be too expensive!) are www.veganstore.com and www.veganessentials.com

ETA: We don't really have to give up anything anymore!

Can't resist going a bit off topic for a joke:

Who adds to the cauldron Eye of Potato, Ear of Corn, and Head of Cabbage? Vegan witches!

thanks to Mark Parisi

Cheryl wrote: "Can't resist going a bit off topic for a joke:

Who adds to the cauldron Eye of Potato, Ear of Corn, and Head of Cabbage? Vegan witches!

thanks to Mark Parisi"

Cute, I got to remember that one.

Haha, that's so great! :-p Yay for vegan humor!!

British Poet Benjamin Zephaniah writes some fun poetry about a lot of issues, including vegetarianism and animal rights. I can't find them on my shelf at the moment to see which book has more on these issues, but you should find related poems in:
Talking Turkeys
Funky Chickens

You can read the full text of the poem, Talking Turkeys, on his website:
http://www.benjaminzephaniah.com/cont...

These would be for older readers (8+).

Chandra wrote: "It is really remarkable to me (a non-vegan) how few vegan/vegetarian children/families are represented in fiction (books or film). Although we're not a strictly vegetarian family we really limit ..."

I think and hope that it is only a matter of time before these issues become more prominent in children's literature. One of the things I have noticed is that even in picture books on conservation, the benefits of consuming a more plant-based, organic, locally produced diet are often not mentioned or only given scant acknowledgement (maybe because the authors are too afraid of antagonising the farming lobby and companies producing and distributing GMO crops); I hope that changes sooner rather than later.

Chandra, Well, it's estimated that true vegetarians make up 3% of the population and that 1% of the population are vegans. (in the U.S.) So, it's not surprising that they're not frequently represented in books, although numbers are growing and some of those people are authors, so I assume there will be a (very) gradual increase in veg*n characters. (As far as environmental books not mentioning eating a plant based diet, I am not surprised: environmental orgs tend not to stress or even mention that because they're afraid their donors will stop donating. Many people, partly for that reason, don't even know the link between diet and environment. I'm always disheartened when I read a children's picture books saying what you can do for the environment and they don't mention diet, but I understand why.)

Chandra, Good for you and your family. You're way ahead of most people, including many "environmentalists" and doing good for the world so Izzy can have a decent life when she gets older/old.

Lisa wrote: "Chandra, Good for you and your family. You're way ahead of most people, including many "environmentalists" and doing good for the world so Izzy can have a decent life when she gets older/old."

I agree :-)

Well, as Lisa says, there aren't that many vegetarians let alone vegans! I have known several vegetarians, and a few vegans, just casually--I mean, I've met them socially through dance, theater, yoga, etc. but not in terms of actual "friends"--but, as you say, area has a lot to do with it. California is definitely more veggie-friendly, health-conscious, etc. and we have some vegan restaurants and bakeries, even in the 'burbs. So, I'm really lucky in that respect! But, it's only been through the friends I've made here on GoodReads that I've really been able to discuss the issues in any depth--for which I'm very grateful! I hate to say it, but some of veg*n folks I knew in real life came off as being very holier than thou which is such a turn-off to any sort of curious non-veg*n folks, I think. A shame! Oh well. I think that getting some veg*n characters into kids' books is a great step in increasing awareness.

Anyway, KUDOS to you guys for your healthy eating habits! As you said, even just omitting meat from one meal a day--or even a week!--contributes to the overall health of the planet and your bodies--and decreasing the animal suffering. My husband isn't vegan but he is eating less meat and dairy just because I don't cook with it and it's not around the house unless he buys something, and he is feeling the benefits, too. I'm not completely vegan yet, but am getting there and have been dairy-free for a few months now and it's been easier than I expected and feels so good! :-)

I was just thinking about this recently after reading City Chicken. It's the first picture book I've seen that actually shows modern farming, instead of that idyllic imaginary farm that's always in children's books.

The protagonist-chicken, who lives in a backyard coop in the city, goes to the country and wanders into a huge building full of other chickens in tiny cages all stacked up. The part that got me was it seemed like the book tried to make the factory farm seem almost cute in a weird way. The city chicken thinks it's "just like a city of chickens!"-- as though it was exciting that chickens had a "city" of their very own.

She decides it's "not for her," but there really didn't seem to be a message that there was anything bad about it...but then, that may have just been my personal feelings clouding my judgment-- since I'm upset by it, I wanted an overt "that's bad!" message, even though really I know better than to think children's books should be didactic. Anyway, it could start a discussion, if a parent wanted to steer it that way... Have any of you read it?

Dora wrote: "I was just thinking about this recently after reading City Chicken. It's the first picture book I've seen that actually shows modern farming, instead of that idyllic imaginary farm t..."

I don't think I want to read that, not if factory farming is portrayed as an acceptable alternative to the idyllic farmyard so often portrayed in picture books. There should at least have been somewhat of a message that factory farms are not in general that beneficial for general animal welfare. I wonder if the movie "Chicken Run" has ever been made into a children's book; I loved that movie and I think it would make an excellent picture book or graphic novel (for older children, probably).

Thank you for the thoughtful post, Dora! I have not read it, and agree with Gundula that it doesn't sound like something I would enjoy. I think I'd be nodding my head in agreement with you, Dora, "I wanted an overt 'that's bad!"' message, even though really I know better than to think children's books should be didactic." As you say, though, it could be an excellent springboard for discussions with children!

Although I haven't read it yet, Our Farm: By the Animals of Farm Sanctuary looks wonderful! (I saw a copy at an independent bookstore a few months ago.)

"Maya the cow, J.D. the piglet, Hilda the sheep, and a dozen more animals all speak directly to the reader, showing off their unique personalities in this wonderful collection of poems. Master watercolorist Robert Rahway Zakanitch provides a portrait that perfectly captures the essence of each creature. Together the poems and paintings add up to a picture of life on the friendliest farm around.

Maya Gottfried based her poems on real animals from Farm Sanctuary, a safe haven for injured or abused farm animals with locations in New York and California."

Gundula, I'm glad you mentioned that Chicken Run was a good movie because I just ordered it from the library for my daughter. Sorry for the slightly OT post!

Lee wrote: "Gundula, I'm glad you mentioned that Chicken Run was a good movie because I just ordered it from the library for my daughter. Sorry for the slightly OT post!"

I hope she enjoys it, I thought it was excellent (a bit like Wallace and Gromit). It can get a bit scary in parts though, the old lady is really creepy.

Okay thanks for letting me know. We can stop if it gets to be too much.

My son and I liked the movie but we did have to stop at parts. Gundula is definitely right, the women is a little creepy.

How old is your son Brenda?

Chandra wrote: "I've never seen Chicken Run, but will have to try it as we LOVE Wallace and Gromit!"

Then, you will love Chicken Run, it's the same type of animation and even the humour is similar.

7 yo but is a little skiddish to creepy types of movies. For example, does not care for the Disney movie Legend of Sleepy Hollow but I think it is mostly the suspenseful movie sounds.

I'd probably be too scared to watch The Legend of Sleepy Hollow so I don't blame a seven year old for feeling that way! I swear, Disney has the creepiest villains in all their old movies.

Lee wrote: "I'd probably be too scared to watch The Legend of Sleepy Hollow so I don't blame a seven year old for feeling that way! I swear, Disney has the creepiest villains in all their old movies."

I found the queen in Snow White really creepy and evil looking. I know she was evil, but did Disney have to make her that evil looking? I knew that story by heart when I saw the movie, but seeing the queen genuinely creeped me out.

We just watched Snow White last night for the first time and I was totally scared of the Queen!

The Quenn traumatized me as a kid, yet I watched it several times.

For a vegetarian Thanksgiving story: "Silly Tilly's Thanksgiving Dinner." They collect the ingredients, then say it is not Thanksgiving without a turkey. They invite a live turkey who eats with them.

A little less vegetarian: "Thanksgiving at the Tappletons" They plan to eat a turkey but the raw (dead) turkey falls into a lake so they don't eat turkey at dinner. (I can't remember what they eat?) They end with a poem: "Turkeys come and tukeys go....etc..."

I discovered that November 1st is WORLD VEGAN DAY! :-)
I'm a day late in posting, but oh well!

http://www.worldveganday.org/

I'm listening to Once Upon a Curse on audiobook and a mention was made about how the protagonist doesn't eat meat anymore, and in fact finds being around it at feasts very difficult, because she herself had turned into animals under various spells and could now empathize with them. Just a small passage, but I thought it was nice to see!

Kathryn, Thanks for sharing that. Off to look at that book.

Lisa wrote: "Kathryn, Thanks for sharing that. Off to look at that book."

It's actually third in a series but the only one on audiobook at my library, hence I'm starting out of order. It's fine on its own, they fill you in quite enough. So far I'm not completely in love with the story, but it's entertaining enough.

Okay, Good to know. Thanks, Kathryn.

I found a book-talk for Vegan with a Vengeance : Over 150 Delicious, Cheap, Animal-Free Recipes That Rock in a YA+ comic book, Read Responsibly: An Unshelved Collection (a very funny series, starting with Unshelved, Vol. 1, that takes place in a library.

My daughter reads Unshelved online. They are pretty funny. I'll look for the collection.

A few of my GoodReads' friends review popped into my in-box with books that might appeal to vegetarians/vegans:

Hubert the Pudge: A Vegetarian Tale

and

My Mom Eats Tofu

There's also a great list going here on GoodReads, "Vegetarian and Vegan Friendly Books for Kids"

http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/38...

Thanks, Kathryn. I've read Hubert but not Mom Tofu, and I'll check out that list. Most of the veg oriented books for kids that I've read, the ones with an overt message, haven't been great. A few I've liked.

One of the Weenies books by David Lubar has a story featuring vegans, BUT (view spoiler)[ they aren't portrayed positively and at the end they're eaten by turkeys (hide spoiler)], so not what you're looking for.