What's So Yummy? All About Eating Well and Feeling Good

Harris, R. H. (2014). What's So Yummy? All About Eating Well and Feeling Good. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

What's so Yummy takes us through a daily life of a cartoon-depicted family as they discover what healthy foods are and what good they do for your body. The family goes to the grocery store, the garden, and the park. The family gets along great and discusses great times to eat food.

What's So Yummy is an excellent choice for any age. The illustrations are of diverse families. Inside the book, it looked like there were families of all types- including different racial and sexual backgrounds, which paints a realistic view for all. The main characters in the book are a multi-racial couple including a white dad and an African-American female, with their three kids. The only thing that could have potentially made this book stronger is if an African-American male was listed as the father. The reason being that in the current power structure we have the white male, black male, white female, black female therefore by making the main character an African-American male, it would further promote a better power structure as the African-American character could have had another opportunity in the positive family light.

The book tells all sorts of nutrition facts including what types of drinks are healthiest, and what to do to avoid being crabby and angry (perhaps you need a snack!) and it listed the types of food you should eat when you feel that way. This is definitely rating as a high quality literature read as you can use it to educate children on healthy choices. The family in the book also uses transportation such as bikes, walking, or using a scooter- which also promotes the environmental health of the earth. The pictures are bright and cheery catering to the appeal of the children.

The only downfall of the book is that the characters in the book don't exactly have many characteristics of the different racial groups they are representing. They all have the basic round faces with a few stereotypical items adding in to help aid the representation of the characters. The characters are not represented in any negative light however, so I don't see there being much of a problem with the actual characters. The characters are all bright and happy and I would be okay with being in any of their shoes. The brother and sister also have a good relationship in the book, along with the mom and dad. There are also mini conflicts throughout the book including what to do when you feel crabby, a kite getting stuck in a tree, needing to rest our bodies, and etc;. A great read for any young one, and even old! We forget the important things that we need to do for our bodies!

Lexile Level: No Rating

Age Range- 6+

Literary Elements:
Mood: Cheery, bright, happy, healthy
Characters: Intelligent, Cute, Proactive, healthy, helpful, loving, working-together, thinkers
Setting: Park, Grocery Store, Somewhere in America, Modest Family Life, Park, Farmer's Market