Two intrepid librarians

Two intrepid librarians review the best nonfiction books for children

Monday, April 17, 2017

Meatless? A Fresh Look at What You Eat Written by Sarah Elton



Meatless? A Fresh Look at What You Eat
Written by Sarah Elton; Illustrations by Julie McLaughlin
Owl Kids Books. 2017
ISBN: 9781926818436
Grades 5 and up

Note: Louise is writing all the reviews while Cathy is on Sabbatical until February, 2018.

During a farm visit, Sarah Elton was asked if she wanted to help kill one of the older chickens.  Her spur-of-the-moment decision (she said yes!) changed the way she thought about meat.
After her experience, Elton decided to explore why some people eat meat while others none at all.  

Elton does a good job balancing the factual narrative with an uplifting tone. Never judgmental, just presents the facts in an engaging way.  It is a very interesting read.  

The book is divided into four parts: A History of Meat-Eating, Why Go Vegetarian?, If Not Meat, Then What?, Becoming a Vegetarian, and Set the Table for Everyone.  Within each heading Elton breaks it down even further into topics. For example, under Why Go Vegetarian?, Animal Welfare, The High Cost of Meat, Greenhouse Gases, Enough Food for Everyone. Each topic is two pages in length, some have sidebars for more detailed information, with illustrations.

Back matter includes tips from kids who are vegetarian, encouragement that there is room at the table for all eating choices, glossary, index, and further reading.

Elton has explored societies food choices in her adult titles, Consumed: Food for a Finite Planet and Locavore. Meatless? will serve as a great introduction to kids who are curious about becoming a vegetarian.

Reviewed by Louise

2 comments:

  1. As one who takes pause and chooses to eat a vegetarian diet, I appreciate the this factual narrative about food that one chooses to eat.

    Thank you for introducing me to this book by Sarah Elton.
    ~Suzy Leopold

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  2. I've been a vegetarian since I was 16, and I'm old now ;). I'm very curious about this book! Thanks for putting it on my radar.

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