Pre-K
13 Fantastic Food Books for Preschoolers
by Janssen Bradshaw
Food is tricky at the preschool age.
My older daughter was a phenomenal eater for the first two years of her life and happily consumed pretty much anything we gave her (oh, what excellent parents we thought we were). Then, as she hit two, she suddenly developed deep preferences about what she wanted to eat and strongly resisted trying new foods, and sometimes even rejected foods she’d loved for years.
Books can be a great way to talk about food with your child, whether you’re dealing with a picky eater, a child who loves to cook, or something in between. They don’t have the pressure of food sitting in front of them, so it can be a calm time to talk about trying new foods, where food comes from, and the great variety of foods available around the world.
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Mrs. Peanuckle’s Vegetable Alphabet
Also available from:This clever alphabet book, along with Mrs. Peanuckle's Fruit Alphabet, is a perfect way to explore new and unusual produce. You can also extend the fun by turning it into a treasure hunt the next time you go the grocery store!
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The Fruits We Eat
Also available from:Learn everything you need to know about fruit in this informative nonfiction picture book. Young readers will find gorgeous watercolor illustrations, exciting facts, and delicious advice about nutrition. Read the companion book, The Vegetables We Eat, for more food-related fun!
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Green Eggs and Ham
Also available from:If there is a more popular book about food for children, I don’t know what it is. You may need to make some green eggs after reading this one!
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Max Explains Everything: Grocery Store Expert
Also available from:Grocery shopping has never been this fun! Take a trip through the store with a spirited and funny boy named Max as he explains the ins and outs of the experience. Max shares his hilarious perspective and helpful advice about everything from the produce aisle to the checkout lane.
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The Ugly Vegetables
Also available from:Who wants to grow ugly vegetables when you could be growing flowers instead? But when it’s time to make soup, vegetables do their job perfectly. This book not only includes a recipe for “Ugly Vegetable Soup,” it also has a pronunciation guide for the Chinese names of the vegetables.
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Monsters Don't Eat Broccoli
Also available from:Picky eaters and monster lovers will adore this hilarious picture book. Kids will learn what monsters like (and don’t like) to eat. With several surprises along the way and a tasty twist at the end, this story tackles vegetable aversion with a hefty helping of humor.
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I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato
Also available from:Lola will NOT, under any circumstances, eat certain foods. Until her older brother Charlie slyly informs her that her mashed potatoes aren’t actually potatoes, but cloud fluff from the tops of mountains. And so on, until they arrive at the most offensive food of all: tomatoes.
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Dim Sum for Everyone!
Also available from:This tasty picture book celebrates family, food, and tradition. A young girl goes with her family to a restaurant where they order their favorite dishes to share with each other. Kids who enjoy stories about food and culture will love this heartwarming book.
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Blueberries for Sal
Also available from:When Sal and her mother go blueberry picking, Sal and a baby bear accidentally switch mothers. Who knew blueberries were so distracting?
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What Can You Do with a Paleta?
Also available from:If you’ve never eaten paleta before, this book is an excellent introduction to the tasty treat from Mexico. From choosing a flavor to painting your tongue, readers will learn what children love about the frozen dessert. Colorful illustrations and some Spanish vocabulary make it even more fun to read.
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Dragons Love Tacos
Also available from:Did you know dragons love tacos? They really, really love them. But what they don’t love is spicy salsa. You can only imagine how hot things get when a dragon accidentally eats some too-spicy salsa.
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How to Eat Pizza
Also available from:Pizza-loving kids will get a kick out of this rib-tickling picture book. A saucy slice of pizza has some pretty strong opinions about how you’re supposed to eat him, and he’s not afraid to share them. You’ll never look at your food the same way again!
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How Did That Get in My Lunchbox? The Story of Food
Also available from:If your preschooler is constantly asking “why” and “how,” this is the book for you. It breaks down the origins of a basic lunch box, from a slice of bread to the chocolate chips inside a cookie. Where did those things come from?
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2022.