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Poop for Breakfast: Why Some Animals Eat It
Eating poop is gross! So why do some animals do it? For lots of good reasons!
Male butterflies slurp up poop to give as a gift to females, which makes their eggs stronger. Robins scarf down the poop of young chicks because it's full of undigested nutrients. And baby elephants gobble up the poop from adults to get essential bacteria into their digestive systems. This disgustingly informative book is bursting with lots of surprising information about animals―and digestion!
Male butterflies slurp up poop to give as a gift to females, which makes their eggs stronger. Robins scarf down the poop of young chicks because it's full of undigested nutrients. And baby elephants gobble up the poop from adults to get essential bacteria into their digestive systems. This disgustingly informative book is bursting with lots of surprising information about animals―and digestion!
32 pages, Hardcover
Published April 4, 2023
2 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 24, 2025
This was as gross as it was fascinating & informative!
January 31, 2023
The title and cover art will surely appeal to the elementary aged learner and the text is absolutely factual and gives many reasons why some animals eat poop. The illustrations are cartoonish, brightly colored, engaging and each animal is easily recognizable as is their action of licking, chomping or slurping up poo. Readers in grades 2 and 3 may not be able to read every word in the informative paragraph for each fan of feces but between the ones they can and the illustration, the science of ingesting scat will be understood. The science of the whole thing is likely to still be of interest to readers in grades 4 and 5 as well and they will be able to comprehend the primary text as well as the extras in the back matter. As an adult, I can appreciate the amazing facts in this book and the illustrations by Florence Weiser using pen, pencil and Procreate, but it did kind of make me gag and I won’t be using this as a read aloud any time soon!
Thanks for the print arc, Lerner Publishing Group!
Thanks for the print arc, Lerner Publishing Group!
May 1, 2023
What an excellent book for later elementary children! This book give such great detailed information about animals digestive processes and eating habits in simple terms that make it understandable for children. I bet even an older reader reading aloud to a child will learn from this book. Wonderfully colored illustrations as well.
April 4, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley and Lerner Press for the ARC of this!
Very interesting, quick, and easy read about animals that eat poop and why they do it. I didn’t realize there were so many reasons to ingest poop! This led to interesting discussions with my kids.
Very interesting, quick, and easy read about animals that eat poop and why they do it. I didn’t realize there were so many reasons to ingest poop! This led to interesting discussions with my kids.
February 4, 2023
This was such an educational read for children! The book goes into detail explaining how animals such as the butterfly eat poop! They go on to explain other wonders, such as some animals eat their own poop. While others eat their young’s poop, some of the young eat their moms! They even explain why we don’t eat ours and shouldn’t! There are a few words that are really big I think for most children to pronounce, but that’s how we learn knew words. The artwork that goes along with the book is very eye catching and detailed. Colorful and active. This was such a fun and educational book to review. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review thIs interesting new book!
June 23, 2023
First, thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for allowing me to preview this title before publication.
I read this last night with my 4 yr old. Being that age, she thinks poop is hilarious so she was engaged and interested. The pictures were bright and colorful as well as allowed for easily identified details and expressions. While this book is non-fiction, it was easy to follow, gave good details, and was not boring in the least. There was a basic narrative to follow but there were more in-depth facts to deepen the understanding of each point being made. This might have been a bit too deep for my 4 yr old, but she got the gist, and this might make the book applicable for a larger age range.
Overall, we both walked away having learned something we didn't know before!
I read this last night with my 4 yr old. Being that age, she thinks poop is hilarious so she was engaged and interested. The pictures were bright and colorful as well as allowed for easily identified details and expressions. While this book is non-fiction, it was easy to follow, gave good details, and was not boring in the least. There was a basic narrative to follow but there were more in-depth facts to deepen the understanding of each point being made. This might have been a bit too deep for my 4 yr old, but she got the gist, and this might make the book applicable for a larger age range.
Overall, we both walked away having learned something we didn't know before!
November 26, 2023
This is a fun (albeit a bit gross) way of teaching young readers about biology / zoology. The book is formatted by having simple text on the left (verso) page and more technical / scientific information on the right (recto) page. Florence Weiser illustrates the text by Sara Levine. The images personify the animals / insects, which makes it more engaging for the youngest of readers.
Each pair of pages gives an answer to the question, "Why do animals eat poop?" which might be their own or the poop of other animals.
(I paraphrase some of these reasons in this list below.)
1. It's part of being a good parent.
2. It can keep a nest clean and tidy.
3. It can protect baby animals from predators.
4. It can help digest food that's hard to break down.
5. It helps to digest wood for termites, because wood is especially hard to break down.
6. It helps several animals whose GI tracks need two attempts to extract nutrients in food.
7. It helps extract nutrients for animals who have oddly shaped digestive tracts.
8. It is the only organic matter available for dung beetles to eat.
The last few pages emphasize why humans do not eat poop (it's disgusting and harmful).
The back matter has three sections: The Scoop on Poop (overview of the GI tract), Be a Poop Detective (the shape of some scat for common animals such as rabbit, deer, dog, cat, and bird), and Further Reading (just eight sources).
Each pair of pages gives an answer to the question, "Why do animals eat poop?" which might be their own or the poop of other animals.
(I paraphrase some of these reasons in this list below.)
1. It's part of being a good parent.
2. It can keep a nest clean and tidy.
3. It can protect baby animals from predators.
4. It can help digest food that's hard to break down.
5. It helps to digest wood for termites, because wood is especially hard to break down.
6. It helps several animals whose GI tracks need two attempts to extract nutrients in food.
7. It helps extract nutrients for animals who have oddly shaped digestive tracts.
8. It is the only organic matter available for dung beetles to eat.
The last few pages emphasize why humans do not eat poop (it's disgusting and harmful).
The back matter has three sections: The Scoop on Poop (overview of the GI tract), Be a Poop Detective (the shape of some scat for common animals such as rabbit, deer, dog, cat, and bird), and Further Reading (just eight sources).
January 9, 2023
What a fun and interesting read! Seeing this one mentioned on Kim @kayckay_bookreviews ' page, I knew I needed to grab a copy, and luckily, it was a Read Now on Netgalley!
Perfect for pre-K to first graders (even my third-grader giggled, so it would probably work for second- and third-graders too!), Poop For Breakfast contains a great balance of science, fun and vivid illustrations, and humor. With a 9 yo and 6yo, I hear and get a lot of questions about butts, poop, and a number of other body parts and bodily functions, so it was really cool to be able to read and discuss why certain animals eat poop and how it helps their bodies. While the main text is short sentences, it also includes more detailed paragraphs, which appealed to my third-grader and his inquisitive mind!
My boys definitely got some good laughs in, but also retained a lot of information and had follow-up questions, too! Great job to author Sara Levine and illustrator Florence Weiser for creating not only an interesting, but also very informative and age-appropriate book about how bodies work, why and how poop is produced, and how to even identify animal poop in the wild! Thank you to @netgalley and @millbrookpress for my gifted galley!
This book hits shelves in April, so I'll definitely be grabbing a copy in the spring!
Perfect for pre-K to first graders (even my third-grader giggled, so it would probably work for second- and third-graders too!), Poop For Breakfast contains a great balance of science, fun and vivid illustrations, and humor. With a 9 yo and 6yo, I hear and get a lot of questions about butts, poop, and a number of other body parts and bodily functions, so it was really cool to be able to read and discuss why certain animals eat poop and how it helps their bodies. While the main text is short sentences, it also includes more detailed paragraphs, which appealed to my third-grader and his inquisitive mind!
My boys definitely got some good laughs in, but also retained a lot of information and had follow-up questions, too! Great job to author Sara Levine and illustrator Florence Weiser for creating not only an interesting, but also very informative and age-appropriate book about how bodies work, why and how poop is produced, and how to even identify animal poop in the wild! Thank you to @netgalley and @millbrookpress for my gifted galley!
This book hits shelves in April, so I'll definitely be grabbing a copy in the spring!
March 22, 2023
I received a copy of this book through Netgalley. This is my honest review.
If you know anything about me, then you know that when I saw the title of this book, I got excited. I have a very strange obsession with the word "poop" so books that talk about it are pretty high on my want to read list, regardless of what age they are intended for.
This was a very informative children's book. I know I learned a thing or two about why some animals eat poop. And the information was presented in language that children should easily be able to understand. My one concern about this book is that there may be some children that in spite of the book making it very clear that humans should not eat poop because it can make us sick, will want to do it anyway because this book makes it seem appealing.
The illustrations were very bright and colorful, and really helped to show how some of the animals digestive systems actually work, as well as giving a good, but not super gross, image of what different animals' poops look like.
Because of the subject of this book, I would personally have no problem reading it multiple times to children, but I imagine most parents would be a little bit more hesitant. At the same time, it is very informative and teaches things in a fun way that could help with retention. Overall I give it 4.3 out of 5 stars.
If you know anything about me, then you know that when I saw the title of this book, I got excited. I have a very strange obsession with the word "poop" so books that talk about it are pretty high on my want to read list, regardless of what age they are intended for.
This was a very informative children's book. I know I learned a thing or two about why some animals eat poop. And the information was presented in language that children should easily be able to understand. My one concern about this book is that there may be some children that in spite of the book making it very clear that humans should not eat poop because it can make us sick, will want to do it anyway because this book makes it seem appealing.
The illustrations were very bright and colorful, and really helped to show how some of the animals digestive systems actually work, as well as giving a good, but not super gross, image of what different animals' poops look like.
Because of the subject of this book, I would personally have no problem reading it multiple times to children, but I imagine most parents would be a little bit more hesitant. At the same time, it is very informative and teaches things in a fun way that could help with retention. Overall I give it 4.3 out of 5 stars.
December 8, 2023
The title will certainly grab the attention of young readers (and old too!) and will further gain the attention of a reading audience once the giggles subside. Upon further examination, this is an excellent and informative nonfiction book by Sara Levine suitable for elementary students. With vibrant cartoon illustrations by Florence Weiser and full of easy to understand details/facts about the animals who indeed eat poop, and why they do it, it becomes a lesson on another unique facet of nature and our natural world. it also opens up a means of encouraging further study and engagement in topics animals/insects/reptiles, etc.. In addition, of course, there is a high level of grossness factor here (which can appeal to the most reluctant of reluctant readers as well) which most kids always find interesting!
June 7, 2023
Brief summary: Young readers will learn about why some animals eat feces. One can read a simple narrative or include a more correlating detailed description as the story continues teaching readers everything they need to know, including the correct terminology of why animals eat poop.
Well, I learned a lot from reading this book and recommend it to children and adults who desire to learn more about this topic, which was done in a very tasteful manner (excuse the pun).
The back sections include The Scoop on Poop, Be a Book Detective, By Any Other Name, and Further Reading.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Well, I learned a lot from reading this book and recommend it to children and adults who desire to learn more about this topic, which was done in a very tasteful manner (excuse the pun).
The back sections include The Scoop on Poop, Be a Book Detective, By Any Other Name, and Further Reading.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
March 7, 2023
My son is obsessed with anything to do with farting and poop and thinks it's hilarious. Needless to say, he loved this book and found it fascinating. It's a non-fiction book about animals that literally eat poop! Lots of interesting facts and his favorite to learn about was the dung beetle. I didn't know a lot of the information and was properly grossed out which made him laugh even harder. We ended up looking up some of the animals online to learn more about them.
I received a free copy from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
I received a free copy from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
April 21, 2023
This is a fun, fascinating, and informative look at why some animals need to eat poop, and why humans don't. This rather gross subject matter is handled with a light, humorous touch, and made cheerier with delightful illustrations by Florence Weiser.
In all, this is an enjoyable explanation of a necessary function.
Thanks to NetGalley and Millbrook Press for sharing.
In all, this is an enjoyable explanation of a necessary function.
Thanks to NetGalley and Millbrook Press for sharing.
May 24, 2023
This would have been perfect for the grandmother who was looking for gross books for her grandson!
Also seemed appropriate after reading Vacuuming in the Nude: And Other Ways to Get Attention and her story about her dog.
Tells why a number of animals and insects eat poop, but discourages humans from eating any. :)
Also seemed appropriate after reading Vacuuming in the Nude: And Other Ways to Get Attention and her story about her dog.
Tells why a number of animals and insects eat poop, but discourages humans from eating any. :)
January 26, 2023
Oh em gee, this book is absolutely awesome!
I love it how it is in fact non-fiction and there are true facts about animals and poop and eating. But it is presented in such a way that there are laugh-out-loud drawings, and the facts are worded in a way that makes them make sense, instead of being gross. Animals are weird, right? And nature is weird also, right? This book helps make sense of some of the weirdness out there and does it in a fun and entertaining way.
I love it how it is in fact non-fiction and there are true facts about animals and poop and eating. But it is presented in such a way that there are laugh-out-loud drawings, and the facts are worded in a way that makes them make sense, instead of being gross. Animals are weird, right? And nature is weird also, right? This book helps make sense of some of the weirdness out there and does it in a fun and entertaining way.
May 12, 2023
Oh, my word! This book is going to fly off every shelf in the classroom, library, or at home. It answers so many questions I've had for years! The reasons are so varied and more widespread than I ever knew. It's fun, fascinating, and fabulously illustrated. It also explains why it's not good for humans to do so, and why washing your hands is a good idea! Lots of great back matter! A terrific STEM book!
May 13, 2023
A delightfully disgusting informative book with tons of kid appeal! I particularly appreciate how the author dabbles in comparative anatomy by examining different digestive systems and connecting that to what might at first glance just seem like a disgusting habit. I'll definitely add this to my classroom library and I know my students will be lining up to read it.
December 1, 2023
Oh my goodness. This book is so gross AND COOL! Kids will love learning about why certain animals eat their poop for various health reasons and benefits. The end also explains why we as humans DO NOT eat our poop. I have a feeling this book will get checked out by the title alone (and then readers will get a pleasant surprise by learning cool facts about poop).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2023
boys + poop = the perfect book for my son. He had an absolute blast learning about the different poop from animals. I now HAVE to buy a physical copy for his little library so he can keep enjoying it because he loved it that much!
Thank you NetGalley for this book!
Thank you NetGalley for this book!
January 7, 2023
Never realized reading about "poop" wold be so interesting. The author and illustrator do a great job in explaining the kinds of animals that eat it and why.
Very well done!
Very well done!
January 24, 2023
I received this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 7, 2023
Not gonna lie: I totally just read this book cuz I have a dog who is obsessed with eating poop and I wanted to understand her better. :-P
October 4, 2023
Funny. The kids will like this.
May 7, 2024
Kids will LOVE this book and learn a lot of science, too!
March 25, 2025
Quite interesting!
March 14, 2026
This book is so informative!
May 31, 2023
Now I know why my dogs eat poop. And more importantly, why I don’t eat it!
The cover says it all…poop, it’s what’s for dinner! An informative and silly way of going through all the different animals and insects that may eat their own poop—or others—and the benefits of doing so. I definitely walked away having learned some answers to questions I didn’t think I’d ever have.
Though towards the end I’ll admit, I thought it was going to touch on why humans should eat their own poop, thankfully it did not! Phew!
This book also unlocks memories of reading a similar story as a child about how everyone poops!
The cover says it all…poop, it’s what’s for dinner! An informative and silly way of going through all the different animals and insects that may eat their own poop—or others—and the benefits of doing so. I definitely walked away having learned some answers to questions I didn’t think I’d ever have.
Though towards the end I’ll admit, I thought it was going to touch on why humans should eat their own poop, thankfully it did not! Phew!
This book also unlocks memories of reading a similar story as a child about how everyone poops!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews