This book has become a huge favourite in our household and is chosen regularly by Mr 4 as his bedtime read. We love this book for its humour, relatable content, and colourful expressive illustrations.
Let’s face it – what parent hasn’t had to deal with the various stages a hungry child moves through as we negotiate with them what we are going to eat for dinner? My kids regularly ask the question, ‘What’s for dinner?’ as they walk into the kitchen (sometimes just after lunch time!) I sometimes hold my breath before answering, knowing that my answer will often be met with opposition, distaste, or pleading for something different.
And this is exactly what happens in Stupid Carrots – as Betty strongly conveys her displeasure about having to eat carrots for dinner again!
I love how Betty’s mum and dad remain calm in the face of Betty’s pleading and growing feelings of ‘hanger' - yet we can detect that internally they are probably rolling their eyes!
I also love the collective expressions of apprehension on the faces of Betty's family members as she tastes the 'yummy soup’ that is served up to her at dinner time.
Will it meet with her approval?
You will have to read this book to find out!
This book is a lot of fun to read aloud – the measured and resigned responses of the parents contrasting with Betty’s strong persuasive voice as she pleads with her parents for something different to eat and tells them that carrots are making her angry! (My kids can relate to this. Eating vegetables seems to initiate anger in them too). There is lots of humour and fun in the narrative, with little asides that many parents and carers will enjoy.
The illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to this story of a ‘hangry’ child bargaining with her parents. Betty and her family are rendered on the page with bright colours and lots of vibrant expression. I love the two page spread of Betty sitting at the table, with only her eyes and ears showing above the line of the table top as a bowl of soup is being pushed towards her. There is so much expression in the set of her eyes and ears on the page – hunger mixed with suspicion/resignation.
Mr 4 and I highly recommend this fabulously funny picture book which bursts with colour and warmly depicted scenes of family life that we can all relate to.
Mr 4 loves books about bunnies – as many kids seem to. This book would make a great Easter present for a young child in lieu of (or alongside) Easter eggs!
Published by Scholastic Australia