Planting the Seeds of Healthy Eating

The simple act of eating every day can open up many different conversations. Sometimes, children will be delighted with what's on their plate, but there will also be times when food is different and unaccepted.

Just as we need to help children understand that people may look different on the outside, but are very much alike on the inside, we can help them discover the magic, mystery, and gift of having a wide variety of fruits and vegetables to eat. By unlocking the grocery store of understanding, a whole new rainbow of eating comes into view.

So, instead of simply putting an apple on your child's plate, how about cutting it in half, and letting him examine the seeds? When creativity takes its rightful place at the table, you never know where the fork will take you.

Whether you're a seasoned gardener, or can't remember anything you ever learned about plants and seeds, you're certain to learn something new by sharing a few of the many related picture books with your child. They are essential nutrients in the life cycle of families, and yet many of us take them for granted like the air we breathe.

So, if you'd like to plant the seeds of healthy eating, here are some picture books which are sure to inspire all kinds of conversations and activities (age ranges provide a general guideline only and will vary for each child):

Ages 3 to 6:

A Fruit Is a Suitcase for Seeds (Exceptional Nonfiction Titles for Primary Grades), by Jean Richards (author) and Anca Hariton (illustrator).

I LOVE this picture book! Seeds are introduced in a simply beautiful and inspiring way. It's sure to spark many a conversation, and there's also a wonderful Q & A section at the end of the book. If you start anywhere, start here.

Seed in Need: First Look at the Plant Cycle, by Sam Godwin (author) and Simone Abel (illustrator).

Grab a bag of sunflower seeds! This simple picture book will help your child see the world from a seed's point of view. This one may plant the seeds of an acting career in your child. It complements the above selection nicely, especially for the youngest of readers.

How a Seed Grows (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1), by Helene J. Jordan (author) and Loretta Krupinski (illustrator).

Connect the dots even more by growing beans with your child. A simple activity can firmly plant the roots of learning about plants.

Jack's Garden, by Henry Cole.

I had to throw some fiction in here! Written in the spirit of The House That Jack Built, this beautifully designed picture book will help your child to connect even more dots. From gardening tools to insects to a variety of flower seeds to types of clouds to birds, you're only limited by your imagination.

Please note that there is no specific fruit and vegetable tie-in here; but after reading the above selections, your child might want to build upon the connection between fruit and flowering plants. If you combine this read-aloud with a nature walk, your child is sure to make all kinds of learning connections.

Ages 7 to 12:

A Seed Is Sleepy, by Dianna Hutts Aston (author) and Sylvia Long (illustrator).

I can't begin to imagine how much time and thought must have gone into every single detail of this picture book. If you think illustrated books are just for young children, this one will challenge your assumptions. It's truly an extraordinary piece of work, and one which can be digested a little at a time. All you need to bring along is your thinking cap and your imagination. Oh, and a variety of seeds and photographs would complement this one nicely.

Seeds, by Ken Robbins.

"There's energy in every seed, and inside each seed another plant that wants to grow."

Photographs, combined with clear and concise words, bring the subject to life. A Seed is Sleepy no more, if you combine the two children's books, and throw a variety of real seeds into the mix.

From Seed to Plant, by Gail Gibbons.

This picture book provides a simple overview of a complex subject. If children (between the ages of 7 and 10) are learning about the parts of a flower, it would pair nicely with Ruth Heller's The Reason for a Flower, as well as other books I mentioned in the post When Seeds Spring Into Flowers.

The Vegetables We Eat, by Gail Gibbons.

This author writes and illustrates a wide variety of nonfiction books, and this one helps connect the dots of fruits and vegetables. There are a few references to seeds, so why not see if your child picks up on the connections? A whole new world of thinking and healthy food awaits.

Ages 9 to 14:

Seeds, Stems, And Stamens: The Way Plants Fit Into Their World, by Susan E. Goodman (author) and Michael J. Doolittle (photographer).

An advanced children's book which expands upon the above selections, and takes the conversation to the next level. There's a lot of great nonfiction that's perfect for this age range, especially for those who have a strong interest in a certain subject, or who need high quality resources for a research project.

Could these picture books help you plant the seeds of reading and healthy eating in your child? When you stop and think about it, children grow like seeds. They need the right combination of nutrients, water, sun, and air to thrive. To me, picture books are one of those essential ingredients in the life of a child. They are the sun on a cloudy day. Like rainbows, they add magic and color to a child's world.

So, please help our children grow by adding related books, activities, or ideas to this list!

And might you be interested in reading the next post in this series, Weaving a Web of Fruit and Culture?