Baby Bug Dishes

Extreme Cuisine

by Meish Goldish

What's on the menu tonight? If you're visiting China, you might consider ordering the stir-fried silkworms. They're always delicious when cooked with onions, ginger, and garlic. Or perhaps you're dining in Italy, and you'd like some cheese with maggots inside. Watch out when you take a bite, however. The little wiggling bugs can jump up out of your meal and poke you in the eye. Don't be too surprised by these unusual foods. As readers are about to discover, the world is a big place. One eater's "yuck!" is another eater's "yum!" In Baby Bug Dishes, kids will be amazed to learn about the wide variety of bug dishes that are cooked--and eaten--by people from different cultures all around the globe. Large, eye-popping photos, a colorful map, and fascinating fact boxes on every two-page spread will delight every reader.

24 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Yilaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alright as an intro for kids

[Dang · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't research this book much before buying it, and suspect it was intended for a younger audience than I am in, so I won't say anything negative about the book itself. I will say that it was more of a picture book than what I was looking for. Having said that, it was interesting to learn of some of the insects eaten in other places. I am certainly a beginner to entomophagy, and this book made it clear that I have plenty to learn, even if the answers aren't in this book.

The photos were delightful and illustrative. Whether or not they are appetizing, I leave to your personal judgement. But, considering that the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations (UN) are suggesting we consider insects as a significant source of edible protein, you might want to think of your grand-children.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main appeal here is obviouly the gross-out factor but there is some great info about the places that eat the bugs and the bugs themselves. Ex. (People on the island Sardinia) make cheese by leaving it out in the sun so that flies can lay their eggs in it. When the eggs hatch, thousands of maggots live in teh cheese. As the young flies feed on the cheese it becomes creamy and smelly. In fact, the name of this food, casu marzu, means "rotten cheese." This book is also a good beginner non-fiction as it includes a simple glossary and index. Ages 9+