Food and Stories
By Kelly Patten
Last week my daughter turned six months old. Her half-birthday was marked by her first tooth and her journey into the world of food. Not that our meals were peaceful before, thanks to the three-year-old, but now they are filled with squishy pumpkin, sticky strawberries, and mushy peas covering the baby and the floor. As I reflected on this milestone, I thought about how ubiquitous food and eating are in our day-to-day lives. Will we order Thai or Indian food for dinner? Should I indulge in the pain au chocolat for breakfast today? Will my toddler love edamame again today or will she throw them all on the floor? Food is essential, and the language that surrounds it helps to shape our understanding of different cultures and identities.
Everything in moderation
“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” is one of those books we all know by heart, and it is often a child’s first exposure to fictional food and eating. The caterpillar munches his way through the apples and oranges, but when Saturday rolls around, he feasts on chocolate cake and lollipops and, of course, ends up with a stomach ache. At first glance, we might assume the message is no junk food! But how realistic is this? I personally love chocolate and sweets, so a more appropriate takeaway for our family is everything in moderation. I want my daughters to have a healthy relationship with food from the start, something I lacked growing up (thanks, Kate Moss). That big, fat caterpillar? He’s now a beautiful butterfly.
The value of tales
Folktales are stories that impart values, morals, and identity through rich oral traditions. “Stone Soup” is a famous folktale that can be found across more than twenty different cultures from Mexico to Sweden to China. In the story, a band of hungry travelers happens upon a village. The town shuns the outsiders and will not feed them, so the travelers begin to make stone soup by placing a stone in a pot of water. The curious villagers approach and are told how wonderful the soup is, especially when they add a few carrots, a potato, a chicken, and so on. Soon there is a bubbling pot of savory soup for all to share.
For the youngest children, a simple and essential value comes through—share. Older children might explore themes of community collaboration, sharing resources, and generosity. The story even inspired health workers in Cambodia to create the Lucky Iron Fish, a small iron ingot placed in cooking pots to help combat anemia in pregnant women.
Books about food
Is your child a picky eater like mine? We did baby-led weaning and one hundred foods before one, only to end up with a toddler who loves beige food. Fortunately, we can always find a book that talks about our problems. I’d recommend picking up “The Night of the Veggie Monster” by George McClements. In the story, an incredibly dramatic toddler thinks he will become a wild monster if he eats a pea and then realizes it’s not so bad. Another classic story about trying different types of food is “Yoko” by Rosemary Wells. Yoko’s lunch box is full of her favorite foods, but the kids at school think they’re gross. It’s a charming story that touches on celebrating cultural differences. I find this story quite compelling, even as an adult, especially considering the diverse gastronomy available to us in Bangkok!
Both of my parents love to cook, and I grew up learning the recipes that are special in our family. Cultural knowledge, food, and strong family bonds are often intertwined throughout the language of children’s books. Consider “Tomatoes for Neela” by Padma Lakshmi, a story about a mother and daughter bonding over their love of tomatoes and cooking family recipes passed down through generations. “Fry Bread” by Kevin Noble Maillard examines how family traditions build resilience within indigenous cultures and communities.
The language in children’s literature is powerful, and our children are often more perceptive than we realize. The language surrounding food can help us explore family traditions, cultural differences, and an appreciation for the pleasure of eating. The next time you visit Kinokuniya or the library, consider seeking out books about food to share with your family.
About the Author
Kelly is mom to Freya and Daisy and recently went back to work as an early years teacher. She previously worked as a primary educator and literacy specialist. Kelly loves reading fiction books, listening to true crime podcasts, and watching Disney princess movies.