MyPyramid for Kids resources

Posters, coloring pages, worksheets, pyramid explanations, and classroom materials are available from the USDA Food and Nutrition Services.

Showdown At The Food Pyramid

Barron, Rex. (Illustrator).
Putnam Juvenile (June 17, 2004)

Ages 4-8
ISBN: 0399237151

(From School Library Journal)
In this dynamic picture book, personified foods fight a battle over good nutrition. Following the wisdom of the Great Food Guide tacked on the wall, the various edibles that form the pyramid have always tried to remain in balance. Then, dangerous interlopers overrun them and take over the top level ("They had strange names like Hot Dog, Candy Bar and Donut, and they liked to cause trouble"). The healthy foods almost give up trying to make things right again, but the problem is resolved when the pyramid is destroyed by its own excess; with all of that fattening stuff on top, it collapses "under its own weight." The foods then rebuild the structure, a process shown in a literal and amusing way, with sturdy starches supporting bright fruits and vegetables, and finally, way up on top, a few sweets and fats, which are allowed to return. The message is up front, but the humorous tone keeps the story from becoming overwhelmingly didactic. The pictures are great, with vivid colors and lots of drama and personality. Barron's light touch and child-friendly approach make this offering more enjoyable than most of the books available on nutrition.
–Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Healthy Eating

Bennett, Paul.
Silver Press, Parsippany, NJ. 1997.

Ages 5-10
ISBN 0382397800

Find out how your body works and why you need to eat in order to stay healthy. Colorful photographs and simple text help you to discover the wonders of the human body.

Healthy Body Cookbook : Over 50 Fun Activities and Delicious Recipes for Kids

D'Amico, Joan. Karen Eich Drummond.
The Jossey-Bass (December 7, 1998)

Ages 9-12
ISBN: 0471188883

(From School Library Journal)
This book of 56 healthy recipes is arranged according to parts of the human body they benefit: heart, blood, muscles, bones, teeth, skin, hair, nails, nerves, and digestive system. For each one, there is a description, an activity or experiment, and some recipes. The clearly described activities and information provide a structure for the book; however, the main focus is nutrition and healthy cooking. In addition to the standard cooking skills and safety rules, there are three helpful appendixes: "Nutrient Content of Recipes", "How to Read a Food Label", and "What's Safe to Eat". Later chapters include information on the food guide pyramid, exercise, weight control, and proper eating habits. The line drawings are helpful and the writing is informal but straightforward. The recipes are clear, thoroughly explained, and tasty; level of difficulty is indicated by number of chef's hats. Important information related in an encouraging way
–Carolyn Jenks, First Parish Unitarian Church, Portland, ME.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

The Monster Health Book: A Guide to Eating Healthy, Being Active, & Feeling Great for Monsters & Kids!

Miller, Edward.
Holiday House (March 15, 2006)

Ages 4-8
ISBN: 0823419568

(From School Library Journal)
Featuring a friendly, rotund, green monster determined to make healthy choices, this book presents basic information about food, exercise, and health. Each topic is introduced in one or two paragraphs; additional facts appear in boxes, sidebars, lists, and diagrams. For example, the section on The 5 Food Groups contains interesting tidbits such as During the Middle Ages, onions were so valuable that people paid their rent with them and It takes around 550 peanuts to make a 12-ounce jar of peanut butter. Other subjects include food nutrients, counting calories and understanding food labels, tips for making healthy lunches and snacks, the benefits of getting enough sleep and exercise, and ways to improve self-esteem. Miller's retro-style illustrations fill the [PH4]pages with color, shapes, and humorous details, and silly jokes are tucked everywhere. An impressive list of Web sites provides additional resources. This lively, visually appealing book about a critical but potentially dry subject belongs in children's hands.
–Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Fruits and Vegetables / Frutas y Vegetales, Vol. 10

Rosa-Mendoza, Gladys. (English-Spanish Foundations).
Me+mi Publishing (July 2002)

Ages 4-8
ISBN: 1931398100

You won’t have trouble getting children to appreciate fruits and vegetables with this vividly illustrated learning book in English and Spanish. Each page introduces the reader to a wide range of fresh fruits and vegetables using carefully selected mouthwatering words. A complete pronunciation guide is included in the back of the book for quick and easy reference. Healthy and nutritious foods have never been made more appealing to children. They’ll eat it up!

Sportworks

Ontario Science Center, Pat Crupples, Illus.
Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., Inc., 1989

Ages 7-13
ISBN 0-201-15296-7

More than 50 activities that explore the science behind your favorite sports. Topics include: How the Golf Ball Got Its Dimples, How do figure skaters spin so fast? Why does a curve ball curve? There are lively drawings, and fun facts.

What Happens to a Hamburger? (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)

HarperTrophy; New Illus edition (May 8, 2001)

Ages 5-8
ISBN: 0064451836

One of the classics of the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series, What Happens to a Hamburger (1970, 1985) reappears with attractive new illustrations, enhanced in a few places with photos that show body parts such as the epiglottis and the stomach lining. From the silver diner featured on the jacket to the stylized plates of food and clear diagrams of the digestive system within, Miller's digital artwork has a jaunty, retro look. The diner's cheerful waiter serves as the narrator, explaining the process of digestion step-by-step.
–Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved.