Are you looking for some Food children’s books to use in your classroom that include literacy extension ideas? This list may be just what you are looking for!
Food is a wonderful theme and is filled with some exciting literacy experiences to explore. You may have had the opportunity to read some of these Food books already, but hopefully some will be a new adventure for you and your kids. Whether you like or dislike the theme of Food, try these engaging books and some of the extension activities suggested.
1. The Foodie Flamingo by Vanessa Howl
Celebrate the love of food in this charming picture book that teaches kids not only to try new foods but to brush up on their colors, too!
Frankie the Flamingo loves food but she’s tired of eating the same thing day after day: shrimp. So, Frankie decides to expand her palate by trying exciting new foods with some colorful consequences!
But as Frankie’s food world expands, her friends can’t quite seem to understand what’s gotten into her. Until they spy on Frankie cooking up something special and decide that they, too, might want to go on a food adventure of their own.
Learn all about becoming a foodie with Frankie in this delightful story about being brave and trying new foods.
Literacy Extensions:
- Food Literature List
- Classroom Booklet: “Our Favorite Foods”
- Food Counting
- My Food Story: Student Worksheets
2. A Wild Taco Tuesday by Sarah M. Hall
Join Roary, the taco-loving lion, as he embarks on a heartwarming journey through the desert, sharing his love for tacos with a host of animal friends. From the towering giraffe to the majestic elephant and the playful zebra, Roary’s taco-filled escapade teaches the valuable lesson of sharing in a fun and engaging way.
This charming story is not just about tacos; it’s a captivating tale designed to make learning enjoyable. With predictive text that aids in reading development, “Roary the Lion Loves Tacos” becomes an interactive tool for young readers, fostering literacy skills while they immerse themselves in the joy of Roary’s adventures.
Vibrant illustrations bring the desert landscape and its delightful inhabitants to life, making this book an engaging experience for children and parents alike. The combination of a lovable character, a heartwarming lesson, and literacy support ensures that this book is a valuable addition to any family or classroom library.
Literacy Extensions:
- “All About Food” Classroom Book
- “Food Counting” Student Booklet
- Venn Diagram Comparing Two Foods
- Food Build a Two Addend Number Sentence
3. When Carrot Met Cookie by Erica S. Perl
Can a vegetable and a dessert really be friends? Find out in this sweet story of solidarity!
Cookie and Carrot are a true dynamic duo. Carrot teaches Cookie how to dip (in hummus), and Cookie teaches Carrot how to dunk (in milk). But when Cookie and Carrot’s other pals make fun of their friendship, the two start to wonder if different food groups can ever really be friends. Packed with plenty of puns, this satisfying tale of acceptance and forgiveness will leave kids asking for more.
Exciting, easy-to-read books are the stepping stone a young reader needs to bridge the gap between being a beginner and being fluent.
Literacy Extensions:
- Food Literature List
- Food Story Parts Worksheet
- Apple Poem Art Project
- Food Number & Ten Frame Match Game
4. Eating the Alphabet by Lois Ehlert
This educational and enjoyable book helps children understand how to plant bulbs, seeds, and seedlings, and nurture their growth. A vibrant wordbook featuring fruits and vegetables from around the world featuring upper- and lowercase letters for preschoolers just learning language.
While teaching upper- and lowercase letters to preschoolers, Ehlert introduces fruits and vegetables from around the world. A glossary at the end provides interesting facts about each food.
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: “Alphabet Book of Food”
- Food Story Parts: Student Worksheet
- Food Roll It! Read It! Short Vowels
- Paper Plate Spaghetti Art Project
5. Saturday at the Food Pantry by Diane O’Neil
A sensitive story about food insecurity. Molly and her mom don’t always have enough food, so one Saturday they visit their local food pantry.
Molly’s happy to get food to eat until she sees her classmate Caitlin, who’s embarrassed to be at the food pantry. Can Molly help Caitlin realize that everyone needs help sometimes?
Literacy Extensions:
- “All About Food” Classroom Book
- Food Story Sequencing Student Worksheet
- Food apple Poem Art Project
- Food Add & Subtract Match Game
6. Frank and the Bean by Jamie Michalak
When the introspective Frank meets the gregarious Bean, can they find a way to make beautiful music together? Dry wit and hilarious illustrations introduce a new unlikely pair.
Frank likes peace and quiet. He likes his tent, his pencil, and writing in his secret notebook. Bean likes noise. He likes his bus, his trumpet and making music. Loud music. But Bean is missing something: he does not have words.
What will happen if Frank shares his words with Bean? With a laugh-out-loud narrative by Jamie Michalak, author of the Joe and Sparky series, and Bob Kolar’s bright, graphic, comical illustrations, this fresh and funny story will go down easy for beginning readers and young listeners alike.
Literacy Extensions:
- Food Word Bank
- Food Literature Retelling Organizer Student Page
- Food Make a Short Vowel Word Game
- Food Roll & Cover Math Games
7. Every Night Is Pizza Night by H. Kenji Lopez-Alt
This bestselling author introduces Pipo, a girl on a quest to prove that pizza is the best food in the world. Pipo thinks that pizza is the best. No, Pipo knows that pizza is the best. It is a scientific fact. But when she sets out on a neighborhood-spanning quest to prove it, she discovers that “best” might not mean what she thought it meant.
Join Pipo as she cooks new foods with her friends Eugene, Farah, Dakota, and Ronnie and Donnie. Each eating experiment delights and stuns her taste buds. Is a family recipe for bibimbap better than pizza? What about a Moroccan tagine that reminds you of home? Or is the best food in the world the kind of food you share with the people you love?
Literacy Extensions:
- “Food Senses” Student Booklet
- Food Make a Short Vowel Word
- Food Sight Word Games
- Food Build 2 Addend Addition Number Sentences
8. Bless This Food by Ginger Swift
Join us in thanking God for the food on our plate! Explore foods together while counting blessings . Eye-catching flaps hide yummy surprises and intrigue curious little ones. Engaging artwork and charming rhymes make this book a great introduction to these and other faith-based questions.
Literacy Extensions:
- “Our Favorite Foods” Classroom Book
- Food Letter & Sound Match Game
- Food Build a Word
- Food Numbers & Ten Frames Math Game
Finally, there are so many Food children’s books you can choose from. From fiction to nonfiction, the list of Food books is endless. Remember to pick the books that best fit the needs of your students or children and support your learning activities. Happy Reading!
Find some more literacy and extension activities in my store, The Teaching Scene by Maureen.
To read more blog topics check out my blog, “A Guide to Using Literature-Based Units of Study.”
