WHAT FOOD IS THIS?

Again, Hausherr (What Instrument Is This?, 1992) makes creative use of question-and-answer format, in this case to survey kinds of food. Each of 18 queries (``What food wears a fuzzy coat?'') is paired with a vibrant close-up color photo of a child posing with the food in question; on the verso is an informative b&w photo (harvesting peaches) plus a couple of brief but substantive paragraphs. Each featured food represents a particular type—e.g., vegetables of which we eat roots, stalks, flowers, or leaves, and those called vegetables that are really fruits (``the part of a plant that has seeds in it''); legumes; meat (``People called vegetarians do not eat meat for spiritual or health reasons''); etc. Five simple symbols (e.g., a glass of milk) reinforce the groups to which the foods belong (water, though unassigned, is termed ``the most important food''). A thoughtfully structured book that is particularly outstanding for its photos and in demonstrating to children how concepts can be derived from logically organized information. Glossary; food pyramid and detailed guide to nutrition, addressed to parents, with sensible tips for the ``pleasurable'' sharing of family meals. (Nonfiction. 5-9)