I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato

A Story for Picky Eaters and Their Parents

• What: I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato
• When: 2 years and up
• Why: Witty take on picky eaters
• Where: Amazon

This book, one of several in the Charlie and Lola series by Lauren Child, tells the tale of a girl named Lola and her fiendish food preferences. It may not solve all your picky eater problems, but at least it can entertain you along the way. Every parent knows the food battles that can occur. My kids ate the exact same food I’m feeding them yesterday, but today they won’t touch it.

I wouldn’t mind their fickleness so much if they weren’t so vocal about it. I have enough trouble getting food on the table that everyone will consider eating without taking into account the fact that anyone’s taste might have changed in the last 24 hours, or let’s be realistic, last 24 minutes. But add that into the mix of dinnertime chaos and I can almost convince myself to stop trying.

That reminds me of another reason I love this book. I can totally get behind the fun and imagination it brings to the dinner table, and especially to new foods. Kids and adults alike can enjoy the tactics Charlie employs to get his little sister fed without violating her food objections. Read it once with your kids, then again on your own for ideas about making food fun again.