THE DOG THAT DIDN'T LIKE LEFTOVERS

In this debut picture book, a dog who dislikes a baby’s mushy leftovers discovers that yummy vegetables solve the problem.

Most dogs love scarfing up food that’s dropped on the floor, but not Lucy—not when Billy, the young, pale-skinned grandson of her owner, comes for dinner. Although Billy is adorable, sweet, and plays with Lucy for hours, the food that he drops from his high chair is soggy and sticky, not Lucy’s idea of treats. But what if Billy liked his food so much he finished it all? Lucy goes looking in the backyard for tasty things he might like. The vegetables and fruits, such as Green Zucchini, Bright Blueberry, and Awesome Avocado, explain how delicious and wholesome they are. Lucy brings a sampling for Grandma to cook. Billy eats every bite, making everyone happy. In her book, Machi’s nutritional advice is well-intended, and it’s true that Billy is old enough to be eating solid foods. Still, the tips are puzzling considering that Billy—barely verbal—doesn’t make his own meals. Much of the vocabulary is over a toddler’s head, such as “beta-carotene,” “texture,” and “flavonoids.” While Billy (and Lucy) might enjoy less gooey food, the proper audience for this book seems to be Grandma. In addition, parenting experts suggest that food-throwing is about entertainment, experimenting, or simply being full, so the link to nutrition in solving the problem is a bit tenuous. The uncredited illustrations are colorful but stiff.

Nutrition advice geared more toward adults than children.