Have a BITE! How Food Connects Us, written by Heather Camlot and illustrated by Ally Jaye Reeves. Owlkids, 2026. $22.95 ages 9 and up

 

"THE THREE SISTERS

Working in harmony with nature is hardly new. 
It's how Indigenous Peoples have practiced 
agriculture for thousands of years. Called the 
"three sisters" in the United States and Canada, 
and the "milpa" system in Central America 
and Mexico, corn, beans, and squash are planted 
together because they help one another grow 
healthy and strong. They also provide a 
complete meal!"

Food is the great connector. No matter our culture, our country, or our circumstance, food plays an important role in all daily lives. Double-page entries introduce readers to the fact that 'food is steeped in history, tradition, culture, religion, celebration, trade, and geography'. Because food is a big part of our lives, it's important to learn as much as we can about it. Ms. Camlot sets out to help readers learn just that. 

She begins with diet and the essential ingredients that foods provide. Food history is discussed, going back six to seven million years and what our ancestors ate at the time. Moving forward, she explains that what we eat today is heavily influenced by our families and their histories. The format for the entries is similar with each new topic. An introduction, followed by short and pertinent paragraphs concerning certain aspects of each subject. Additional material is presented in side bars, entitled Chew on this, Food for thought, and Hungry for history. 

She refers to many traditional dishes, while also including recent developments in new foods enjoyed by many. Whether it's Hawaiian pizza (a Canadian addition to the already plentiful variants) or the 21 different types of regional breads shared by people throughout the world, the author fills the pages with facts that are sure to surprise. Her discussion of food waste should give all readers pause. 

"Every day around the world, the amount of food wasted equals more than one billion meals."

That might happen because of a lack of workers to pick the crops, foods that rot where there are no proper storage facilities, or food being thrown away. With so many people going hungry each day, wouldn't it be something if that food could be saved? Ms. Camlot suggests that eating more like our ancestors did, and trying new foods would help. 

Sharing engaging nonfiction with middle grade readers invites them to think more clearly about so many things. In this case, it fires their interest in knowing more about the food they eat and what is available if they are willing to go outside their comfort zone to try something new and different. Back matter includes a glossary, a list of sources, and an index.