No Eat Not Food

An introduction to organic food and sustainable agriculture for kids 8 to 12

   Finally, there’s a book that packages the complex concepts of sustainable agriculture just for kids, a book that is “fun and practical at the same time!” according to food activist John Robbins.

   This book’s important message starts with the title itself— “No Eat Not Food” – meaning, if it ain’t real food, don’t eat it!  The plot teaches that real food is healthy for the individual and for the planet.  The book’s characters use two “rulers,” one to measure health, the other sustainability.  Using these, “False Food” is easy to identify.

   Written for 8- to 12-year-olds, but now influencing 6- to 60-year-olds, the book addresses important issues like oil depletion, the dangers of pesticides, the importance of soil health and the joy of growing your own food. It is a teacher’s dream! The book advocates cooperation to solve difficult problems and encourages a personal relationship to food, how it feels in our bodies and the responsibility implicit in food choices.

   No wonder Molly Katzen (Moosewood Cookbook) says “every child in America deserves and needs this message.”  This book truly delivers the right message to the right people at the right time.

   This beautifully produced book tells the tale of an alien visitor to planet earth.  The alien seems hungry, so the local kids offer it some of their food.

  "NoEat" the alien, discovers something is wrong with the food.  The kids follow him as he tries to find where the food came from, and what is wrong with it.

  The kids learn that food doesn't actually come from supermarkets!  

On this page, they arrive on Lu Lu's organic farm (they think it is another planet!)

The wonderful font is actually the handwriting of Carol Russell, the illustrator of the book!

  This in my favorite spread.  LuLu points the translator beam at the compost pile, and we get to listen in on the fun!   

  LuLu, shows the kids  two magic rulers she uses to test for real food. One measures health, the other sustainability.  

  Food is more than just an energy source.  An exploration of where our food comes from, how it is produced and who produces it opens up many social issues. Without an awareness of the real cost of food, we cannot make wise choices that will sustain our bodies, or culture, and our planet.