These books are real treats! I enjoy doing food-themed storytime leading up to Thanksgiving, but these are also great for any time of the year.
Thank You, Omu
By Oge Mora
Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
A modern classic, this gorgeous book is perfect for food, community, kindness, and generosity themes. I like to have students sign “thank you” as we say the repeated phrase, “Thank You, Omu!” We also pantomime stirring the soup, spooning it out, and eating it - as well as knocking on the door. There are also good opportunities for characterization and predicting who will be at Omu’s door.
Little Pea
By Amy Krouse Rosenthal | Illustrated by Jen Corace
Published by Chronicle Books
This was a favorite among my kindergartners when I was student teaching, and it was also the story that helped me get my first job as a library storyteller! The hook of the story is absolutely brilliant, and always a winner. Little Pea HAS to eat candy?! His disgust is quite entertaining to children, plus there are opportunities for them to share what they know about numbers, meals, and the days of the week
Is That Wise Pig?
By Jan Thomas
Published by Beach Lane Books
Another winner from Jan Thomas! Mouse is making a pot of soup and Cow helps by adding ingredients like carrots, potatoes, and tomatoes - but Pig adds…golashes? Also a great counting book, this one will have children counting and laughing, and just WAIT for the twist at the end!
Pete the Cat and the Perfect Pizza Party
By Kimberly and James Dean
Published by HarperCollins
A perfect pizza party indeed! Chantable, with repeatable phrases, Pete’s signature catchy, laid-back mantras, and loads of alliteration (perfect for the letter “P”) this book will have the group very engaged, and ready to talk about their favorite toppings!
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
By Eric Carle
Published by by World of Eric Carle
Perhaps the most well-known children’s book of all time, this one is a great choice for food-themed units. It’s a classic for many reason, and there are so many fun ways to tell it as well as read it aloud! I considered putting a lesser-known book on the list, but not everyone thinks of this title when thinking about food books!
A Busy Creature’s Day Eating
By Mo Willems
Published by Hyperion Books for Children
This is such a good one. It hits so many marks. Not only is it hilariously clever with a great hook, character, and plot, it also provides opportunities for phonemic awareness, print motivation, visual literacy, narrative structure, and more. As always, practice before reading it aloud, especially this one because you may laugh out loud during some parts.