Meatless?: A Fresh Look at What You Eat

Gr 2–5—Canadian journalist and children's author Elton (Starting from Scratch: What You Should Know About Food and Cooking) examines what it means to be a vegetarian and why people make that choice. Opening with the attention-grabbing introduction "The Day I Killed a Chicken," Elton explores the history of eating meat (including the role of religion), discusses why people "go vegetarian," and proposes some practical alternatives to meat (nuts, flaxseed, etc.) and several meal ideas. The content is informative and topical, providing a complex look at the benefits and pitfalls of consuming meat. For instance, readers learn about the nutrients humans receive from eating meat, in addition to the environmental consequences of a robust meat industry. Sidebars about various related issues such as food security and how Pythagoras was the father of vegetarianism are interspersed throughout. Elton's prose is clear and kid-friendly, while McLaughlin's vibrant illustrations are light and often humorous. Further reading suggestions offer recommendations of vegetarian cookbooks.