What's on Your Plate?: Exploring the World of Food

by Whitney Stewart, Whitney Stewart

DID YOU KNOW? It’s a big, tasty world out there—and this book takes kids on a tour through the cuisines of fourteen countries, complete with a recipe for each one!
 
Praise for What’s on Your Plate
 
“ A delectable way to highlight diversity .” — Booklist
“Inspire young foodies with this title.” — School Library Journal
“Engel’s presentation is lively and welcoming.” — Publishers Weekly

Genres: Picture Books, Food, Nonfiction, Cultural, Cookbooks, Childrens, Cooking

40 pages, Paperback

Published March 28, 2023

About the author

Whitney Stewart has interviewed the 14th Dalai Lama, Aung San Suu Kyi, and Sir Edmund Hillary for her young adult biographies. She has traveled all over Europe and Asia to write her books. When she is not writing, she is usually visiting schools and libraries to give talks.

Her personal interests are in reading, traveling, yoga, meditation, and sea kayaking. She lives with her husband and son.

Reviews

[Cheryl]

Nice idea but missed execution. Nothing from Indonesia, Polynesia, sub-Saharan Africa, Australia. At least there's an explanation of Chinese foods that makes distinctions beyond the Cantonese/Mandarin that is the only thing I've ever seen in restaurants in mid-America. Only 14 recipes. Maps unhelpful and should have been omitted in favor of more recipes and countries, or even pictures of more dishes. Drawings of children cute & diverse.

Read for December 2020 "cookbooks" theme in Children's Books.

[Baby Bookworm]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our book today is What’s On Your Plate?: Exploring The World Of Food, written by Whitney Stewart and illustrated by Christiane Engel, a cookbook/celebration of international cuisine for little readers.

There’s a world of food out there, and chances are that what’s on your plate is not the same as children in other countries! So follow along as readers are taken on a tour of 14 countries (such as Mexico, Thailand, Ethiopia, etc.) and given a crash course in their food culture, popular dishes, and even a recipe to try at home (with parents’ help, of course). By the end, readers will gain an appreciation for new and interesting dishes and cultures, and find that our love of food is both what makes us unique and brings us together.

Very cool! Each spread is informative, interesting, visually fun, and the recipes look delicious. It’s a great way to encourage little ones to be adventurous with their meals and to learn more about other countries and cultures. The illustrations are perfect fun, make the food look delectable (there are also photos of some dishes), and the maps of the countries and their native ingredients are awesome. This is not a storybook, and reading it in one sitting would definitely be for older bookworms, but JJ enjoyed the illustrations, and I imagine this will be a popular book for our adventurous eater in a few years. A great way to introduce little foodies to international cuisine, and it’s Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Eve Costarelli]

This is not simply a book about exploring the world of food; it is actually a book about the world and its varied cultures. The facts are extremely well researched, honest and eye-opening. The wonderful union of author and illustrator is wholly creative and engaging, with just the right amount of pertinent information, each one accompanied by a recipe, opening up the door to explore and be curious about cultures and peoples. I appreciate how it draws lines connecting one place to another through the food and gives voice to our multicultural heritages. I love the mix illustrations of drawings and actual images. Its very eye-catching and really brings life to the information. I think this book will peak even the most finicky eaters interest to explore!

[Dana]

This lovely children's book has maps and information about 14 different countries and the foods grown and eaten there along with a child friendly recipe from each country. I love that the recipes are all for simple foods that children will enjoy eating and helping to prepare. I look forward to making them myself!

[Alison]

An interesting culinary tour that includes locations not normally covered in kids cookbooks/food books

[Julie]

Visually appealing text of food in different countries around the world

[Lynn]

Attractive and appealing survey of foods and favorite recipes from 14 countries. Each two page spread provides a brief historical background on the foods found in each country and how those were introduced. A simple child-friendly recipe for a typical dish is provided and a pictorial atlas with points of interest and locations where food is grown. A glossary in included in the back.

Wonderful for classrooms studying different countries and cultures or for general interest.

[Amanda]

The countries were a bit obvious in choices, so I would have liked a little more than the usual suspects. I am grateful that every continent was featured but I think it would have been more interesting to do Sub-Saharan Africa. Oz got into finding out which country grew what though, so that was really cool

[Catherine Schaffrath]

This book explores numerous diverse foods from various countries and regions. It goes through different aspects of food culture such as farming, cooking methods, ingredients, and mealtime customs This book can be used in classrooms to introduce new foods and customs that different cultures have. After reading, students can share and connect on some of their own cultural foods.

[Kris]

Love that pronunciation guide is right next to each word and not in a glossary in the back.
Not the class read aloud that my teachers were looking for, but perfect for reading together parent and child.

[Megan Collins]

I loved it when the book talked about food they served in Mexico! I will use this to continue to discuss culture.

[Miriam]

It covers 14 countries. Each has a colorful map that points out places of interest and landscape and food. There is a recipe for each country. One for the home library

[Nichole]

This is really cool. Each place featured has a short culinary history, map with where things are grown, and a recipe.

[Sarah]

Muy delicioso!

Take a trip around the world and read about foods grown, raised, or caught in that country. Learn about a few of their dishes. Make a recipe from each country. What a fun way to experience the world!

Pretty Mediterranean heavy, but they do have amazing food in the Mediterranean.
I appreciated that Chinese cuisine was broken into the different areas of China, and not grouped into one category.
Of course I loved to see Thailand represented- and of course, we have great food.

I can't tell if this has all typical dishes or if it is just because I love food, and I love travel (the only two countries in this book I haven't been to are Brazil and Morocco- and I've eaten nearly all the dishes! :) )

I'll probably buy this for my nephew who is a budding Foit foodie :)
Itadakimasu!

[Terry]

I love this book for third graders and up! There are a lot of foods that kids today may be familiar with, but still not know about the history of the food or its ingredients.