How did That get in my Lunchbox? The Story of Food by Chris Butterworth, illustrated by Lucia Gaggiotti. Candlewick Press, 2011. ISBN 978-0-7636-5005-6
Summary: Young children know that their parents buy food at the grocery store, but where did the food at the store come from? Butterworth has taken a typical selection of lunch food and traced each item from it's source until it is transported to market. Bread, cheese, tomatoes, apples, carrots, chocolate chips, and clementines are followed on their journey from harvest to lunch time.
At the end of the text, the author has included two-page spread which demonstrates a full plate of food which has been divided proportionately into the food groups that make up a balanced diet, with a short summary about each group. With a deeper understanding of where food comes from, and how much effort goes into getting it to our grocery stores, children will hopefully gain an increased awareness of why we should not waste food. Reading this book to a picky eater will most certainly be more persuasive than the old, "Clean your plate, there are children starving in China" strategy.
Critical Evaluation: Butterworth has created a wonderfully informative picture book that includes a large amount of detailed, step-by-step processes, but that does so in small, manageable bits that are appropriate to the reading and interest levels of the audience. Gaggiotti's illustrations complement each segment of the text, and demonstrate exactly how each step happens. For example, the process of making bread is described and illustrated during the stages of harvesting with a combine and tractor, grinding the grains at the flour mill, mixing the flour into dough at the bakery, and finally baking the loaves.
The mixed media illustrations are one-dimensional with a very retro feel. The illustrated figures are drawn as cartoon figures, yet are represented in a realistic fashion as they go about their work with the food. Just enough detail is incorporated into the illustrations of the machinery and equipment used to harvest and process the food to present an accurate depiction of the methods used, while still ensuring the content is not over the heads of young readers. Furthermore, Gaggiotti's use of vibrant color in the artwork has resulted in an eye-catching and attractive informational text that invites close examination.
Age or Interest Level: Kindergarten to Grade 3
Lexile Level: 870L
Awards:American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture Book of the Year 2011; NSTA (National Science Teachers Association)-CBC Outstanding Science Trade Books For Students K-12 2012.
Why Included? Our food takes quite a journey to reach us! This book is a lovely way to explain and visually represent that journey. I'll certainly never look at a chocolate chip in the same way again, now that I understand the complete chocolate making process.