REGGIE BENDER AND THE BLENDER

A mother comes up with a creative way to get her son to eat vegetables in Delacroix’s picture book.

Reggie Bender, a White child, refuses to eat green vegetables. He lacks nutrients, and because of his small stature, he doesn’t make the soccer team. Reggie’s mom, Mrs. Bender, devises a plan to “weave veggies into sweets” (“a pie with peas for eyes and a cake with broccoli trees”), but he rejects them. Next, she blends vegetables into a green paste and adds that to Reggie’s favorite treats, including cake, cookies, and ice cream. Although it turns foods green, he doesn’t mind. Soon, he feels “a surge of inner strength, a power from within”; his body grows and he becomes soccer team captain. On his 12th birthday, Mrs. Bender confesses her ruse, which leads to a surprising revelation. This story offers an innovative solution to a relatable problem for kids and parents. Picky youngsters will relate to Reggie’s initial hesitance, but the unique dishes may inspire them to expand their palates. Parents will glean helpful ideas from Mrs. Bender’s fun innovations. Delacroix’s illustrations feature mostly marker and colored-pencil renderings of Reggie eating and playing soccer, but other pages include realistic, detailed, labeled representations of different dishes and photos of various vegetables. Recipes are also included.

A resourceful, imaginative story that emphasizes healthy eating and kitchen creativity.