Children’s Books About Food
One of the first things your child will learn to name is different kinds of food. As they grow older, food becomes central to many debates and battles at home – so in our house, we learned to make mealtime fun with silly children’s books about food.
Below, you’ll see board books for babies learning to identify fruits and vegetables and grow their vocabulary but when you get into picture books, the fun really begins.
My boys loved Peanut Butter & Cupcake so much, that I can recite it! Same with Jamberry and Dragons Love Tacos. These kid’s food books are perfect for storytime, bedtime, or taking to a restaurant to entertain your little ones. I promise you will be laughing too!
The Best Children’s Books About Food
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
The Best Baby Book About Food
Eating the Alphabet by Lois Ehlert – Jump to section
The Best Toddler Book About Food
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle – Jump to section
The Best Preschool Book About Food
LMNO Peas by Keith Baker – Jump to section
The Best Picture Book About Food
Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin – Jump to section
The Best Classic Book About Food
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett – Jump to section
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Baby Books About Food
Eating the Alphabet
Author: Lois Ehlert
Illustrator: Lois Ehlert
Year: 1989
Genre: Board Books
Age: 1 – 3
Plot
Getting kids to eat new foods can be challenging. These great pictures have fruit and vegetables from A-Z. And who knows, it might encourage your little one to try something new too.
Why Kirsten loves it
The illustrations of the food are delightful and the end of the book provides a glossary of all the gorgeous illustrations.
Find this book in: Best Books for a 1-Year-Old / Alphabet Books / Kids Food Books
I Like Fruit and I Like Vegetables
Author: Lorena Siminovich
Illustrator: Lorena Siminovich
Year: 2010
Genre: Board Book
Age: 0 – 2
More info:
Plot
Any book that introduces children to healthy foods from an early age is OK in my book. Add in the lessons about colors in I Like Fruit and also the lesson of opposites in I Like Vegetables and you have two winners. Oh! And did I mention these are textured and perfect for babies to explore with their fingers too?
Why Jackie loves it
Textured pages are perfect for tactile learning about colors and opposites.
Find this book in: Color Books / Best Board Books / Food Books for Children
Plot
With rhyming words and a taco-shaped finger puppet, this board book is sure to delight any little ones. The cute little taco in the story is trying to convince readers to eat something – anything – other than him!
Why Kirsten loves it
This is such a silly interactive book. Between the finger puppet and the silly anthropomorphic foods, I was charmed by this baby book.
Find this book in: Children’s Books About Food / Books for a 1-year-old
Indestructibles: Baby, Let’s Eat
Author: Amy Pixton
Illustrator: Stephan Lomp
Year: 2018
Genre: Board Books
Age: 0 – 3
Plot
There are so many books for 1-year-olds in the Indestructible series. These books are perfect to take anywhere, read anywhere, and not worry that they will get ruined. I love this book because not only does it talk about food, but it is divided into colors as well. You can read the book and emphasize the foods, emphasize colors, or even talk about which foods are fruit and which are vegetables.
Why Kirsten loves it
This book lives up to its name by being indestructible. I love the great pictures as well as the colors and this book will really last! Your kid can chew it, you can put it in the wash and it won’t fall apart!
Find this book in: Kids Food Books / Best Books for a 1-Year-Old
Toddler Books About Food
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Author: Eric Carle
Illustrator: Eric Carle
Year: 1968
Genre: Board Book
Age: 0 – 5
More info: International Bestseller
Plot
There are so many things about this classic book for kids that I love. Not only can you talk about days of the week, food, and counting, but you can follow the caterpillar on his journey to becoming a butterfly. When it comes to books for 3-year-olds, this one is tops.
Why Jackie loves it
This is a gorgeous introduction to nature, food, counting, and days of the week. It’s a classic for a reason!
Find this book in: Classic Kids Books / Preschool Books About Food / Best Board Books / Educational Books for 3-year-olds / Counting Books
Plot
The rhythm of the story and the non-sensical rhymes make the book completely captivating. A boy and a bear head out on an adventure to pick berries in this delightful classic kids’ book. Marshmallow Cattails? Waffle and butter lily pads? Yes, please!
As a bonus, there is counting and alliteration in this picture book. No list of books for kids would be complete without this adorable read.
Why Kirsten loves it
This was my favorite book to read to her kids and as soon as you look at the pictures and start reading it, you will understand why. I have a video of reading this to my son when he was 4 months old and his face lit up as I read it. It will forever be in my home.
Find this book in: Alliteration Books / Counting Books / Rhyming Books / Best Board Books / Kids Food Books / Best Books for a 1-year-old
Each Peach, Pear, Plum
Author: Janet and Allan Ahlberg
Illustrator: Janet and Allan Ahlberg
Year: 1978
Genre: Board Books
Age: 0 – 3
Plot
This adorable eye spy book has wonderful pictures, featuring nursery rhymes and fairy tale characters. It’s a perfect classic children’s book for a 2-year-old.
Why Jackie loves it
The rhyming makes it memorable and easy to recite. This is my favorite book to gift to new parents.
Find this book in: Classic Kids Books / Best Board Books / Books for 1-year-olds / Food Books for Children / Rhyming Books
Preschool Books About Food
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
Author: Laura Numeroff
Illustrator: Felicia Bond
Year: 1985
Genre: Board Book
Age: 2 – 5
More info: Part of the If You Give A Series
Plot
If you give a mouse a cookie, he’s going to ask for a glass of milk. And so the story continues in a big circle until the mouse is thirsty again. The adorable pictures and silly consequences will help your little one understand sequencing.
Why Jackie loves it
I use this book in speech therapy all the time to work on sequencing and cause and effect. This is a great book to give you question prompts for your little one.
Find this book in: Best Books 2-Year-Old / Kids Books About Food / Animal Books for Kids
LMNO Peas
Author: Keith Baker
Illustrator: Keith Baker
Year: 2010
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 2 – 5
More info: Part of the Peas series
Plot
This delightful book showcases each letter of the alphabet in a story about peas and all the jobs they can have. Told through rhyme, your little one will eagerly hunt for the peas matching the described jobs.
Why Kirsten loves it
I love any book that has a great rhyming scheme but this one is hilarious with adorable illustrations to match. There is so much to look at on each page that you could read this over and over and never get bored.
Find this book in: Alphabet Books / Gender Neutral Baby Books / Food Books for Children / Best Books for 3-year-olds
Pizza! An Interactive Recipe Book
Author: Lotta Nieminen
Illustrator: Lotta Nieminen
Year: 2017
Genre: Board Book
Age: 2 – 4
More info: Part of the Cook in a Book series
Plot
This adorable book is the perfect way to keep your little one engaged while reading. They can stir and mix while learning how to follow directions.
Why Jackie loves it
When you are done, why not make a pizza to eat for dinner? You can have your child help put on all the toppings! Or you can engage in pretend play with this adorable Melissa and Doug set. This book encourages imagination, promotes language development (following directions), and is wildly interactive.
Find this book in: Books for 2-year-olds / Interactive Books For Kids / Food Books for Children
Peanut Butter and Cupcake
Author: Terry Border
Illustrator: Terry Border
Year: 2014
Genre: Picture Books
Age: 3 – 5
More info: Part of the Peanut Butter series
Plot
Poor peanut butter is looking for someone to play with. Does peanut butter go with cupcakes? Not only is this beginning picture book silly, but it also allows your child to learn about making friends! It’s a great rhyming book too.
Why Kirsten loves it
I love the theme of this book as well as the fantastic pictures. The hamburger walking two hotdogs is hilarious.
Find this book in: Books for a 3-Year-Old / Books for a Baby Shower / Preschool Books About Food
Picture Books About Food
Dragons Love Tacos
Author: Adam Rubin
Illustrator: Daniel Salmieri
Year: 2012
Genre: Picture Books
Age: 2 – 5
More info: Dragons Love Tacos #1
Plot
Both the original story and the sequel feature taco-eating dragons who can’t stand spicy salsa! The whimsical illustrations are childlike and the stories are just plain silly! Your child will be giggling when they see the dragons burn down the house after eating spicy tacos.
Why Kirsten loves it
This book is adorable and hilarious. It is one we do not mind reading on repeat.
Find this book in: Books for 4-year-olds / Kids Books About Food
Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story
Author: Kevin Noble Mallard
Illustrator: Juana Martinez-Neal
Year: 2019
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 3 – 5
More info: Robert F. Silbert International Book Metal Winner, American Indian Youth Literature Picture Book Honor Winner
Plot
This pick from Preschool Thanksgiving books is a multisensory depiction of Fry bread and what it means to the Native American families who eat it, as well as the way it brings families together.
Why Jackie loves it
I love the way this book depicts Thanksgiving from a Native American POV.
Find this book in: Children’s Books About Food / Thanksgiving Books for Kids
Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast
Author: Josh Funk
Illustrator: Brendan Kearney
Year: 2015
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 2 – 6
More info: Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast #1
Plot
My kids think it is hysterical to see Lady Pancake try to beat Sir French Toast to the last drop of syrup as they navigate the perils of the refrigerator. The message about sharing is particularly important especially if you are in the in the midst of the sibling rivalry phase.
Why Kirsten loves it
This unique book is alwasy perfect to gift to new parents! I have every book in the series on my shelves at home!
Find this book in: Books for 3-Year-Olds / Children’s Books About Food
The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog
Author: Mo Willems
Illustrator: Mo Willems
Year: 2004
Genre: Board Book
Age: 2 – 6
More info: Part of the Pigeon series
Plot
Mo Willems is a must-know author if you have preschoolers. He writes the best books for 4-year-olds! His pigeon series is particularly funny. In this story, the pigeon finds a hot dog but a clever bird outwits him into sharing!
Why Kirsten loves it
Pigeon is hilarious and his antics are so ridiculous that even younger readers will recognize his silliness. This is the perfect book to keep kids interactive when reading the book. It is also a great tool to teach appropriate social behavior because Pigeon is so silly.
Find this book in: Kids Food Books / Best Books for 2-year-olds
Pizza and Taco: Best Party Ever!
Author: Stephen Shaskan
Illustrator: Stephen Shaskan
Year: 2o21
Genre: Early Reader
Age: 5 – 8
More info: Pizza & Taco #1
Plot
This early reader series is hysterical! It gives full Mo Willems vibes with the way Pizza and Taco interact with each other.
Why Kirsten loves it
This is an adorable graphic novel with a funny story, but not a lot of words on the page.
These books are laid out in a graphic novel/comic book style that makes it easy for young kids to decipher. When looking for books for a child new to reading, this is a great place to start.
Find this book in: Kids Books About Food / Best Books for 5-year-olds
Creepy Carrots
Author: Aaron Reynolds
Illustrator: Peter Brown
Year: 2014
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 5 – 8
More info: Caldecott Honor Book
Plot
Jasper Rabbit loves carrots, but he soon thinks his favorite carrots are out to get him! This funny tale is very Twilight Zone-inspired and it’s awesome. The underwear version is funny too and it glows in the dark!
Why Jackie loves it
Both Creepy Carrots and its sibling book, Creepy Pair of Underwear, are favorites in my household. This is the perfect picture book for older kids. It is simultaneously funny and creepy.
Find this book in: Books for 5-year-olds / Book About Food for Kids / Halloween Picture Books
Classic Books About Food for Kids
Green Eggs and Ham
Author: Dr. Suess
Illustrator: Dr. Suess
Year: 1960
Genre: Classic Picture Book
Age: 2 – 6
Plot
At 60 years old, this book is a classic that has withstood the test of time. The rhyme, rhythm, and repetition in this book make it so easy to remember and predict what will happen.
Why Jackie loves it
The silliness and the story make it enjoyable for parents to read. Not only is this book hilarious, but it teaches a lesson about trying new food as well.
Find this book in: Books About Food for Kids / Classic Books for Kids / Rhyming Books
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
Author: Judi Barrett
Illustrator: Ronald Barrett
Year: 1982
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 3 – 7
More info: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs #1
Plot
The town of Chewandswallow has weather changes three times a day- breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Everything is fine until the weather food turns super-sized.
Why Kirsten loves it
Before this adorable book was made into a movie, it was a favorite in our house. This is a book whose story is so unique and imaginative, there is nothing I do not love about it.
Find this book in: Food Book for Children / Best Books for 5-year-olds
Blueberries for Sal
Author: Robert McCloskey
Illustrator: Robert McCloskey
Year: 1948
Genre: Classic Picture Books
Age: 3 – 6
More info: Caldecott Honor Book
Plot
Sal is picking blueberries with her mother when she wanders away and sees a bear. On the other side of the mountain, Sal’s mother is being followed by a baby bear who loves blueberries as much as Sal.
Why Jackie loves it
This Caldecott Honor Book has such gorgeous illustrations with a sweet story. It’s a classic that will connect generations of readers.
Find this book in: Preschool Books about Food / Classic Books for Kids / Best Books for 4-year-olds
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Author: Roald Dahl
Illustrator: Quentin Blake
Year: 1964
Genre: Middle Grade Classic
Age: 6 – 9
More info: Charlie Bucket #1
Plot
Charlie is thrilled when he gets a golden ticket to see inside Willy Wonka’s amazing chocolate factory, but this is no ordinary candy factory. The machines and recipes behind the walls of the factory are what dreams are made of. Step into the wonderful world of Willy Wonka and you’ll never be the same again.
Trigger Warnings
Fatphobia
Why Kirsten loves it
This story is quite the classic and it revolves around all things candy! With its creeptastic vibes, it’s also wonderful for Halloween. I’ve loved this story for a long time, but I don’t love the author. Please be advised that he is a known for incredibly problematic comments about women, Jews, and minority groups.
Find this book in: Best Classic Books for Kids / Best Books for an 8-Year-Old / Read Aloud Children’s Books / Kids Food Books / Books about Candy
In The Night Kitchen
Author: Maurice Sendak
Illustrator: Maurice Sendak
Year: 1970
Genre: Classic Picture Book
Age: 1 – 4
More info: Caldecott Honor Award Winner
Plot
This is a story that is pure imagination. It is a story of a dream world as Mickey falls into cake batter and then escapes the oven in a plane made of dough.
Why Jackie loves it
The illustrations in this book are so wonderful and I’ll always be a Maurice Sendak fan!
Find this book in: Children’s Books About Food / Best Books for 4-year-olds
Expert Tip
- Babies and Toddlers can learn their vocabulary when you point out various food items in these stories.
- Pay attention to the age range for these children’s books about food – some of the stories aren’t appropriate for younger kids.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the children’s book about raining food?
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett! It is a fantastic children’s picture book series – my own childhood favorite – and it was made into a movie series. Be warned though, the book and movie are VERY different!
Why does my child eat books?
Children gnaw on books because they are teething! Try getting them a book from the indestructible series. They are made to be drooled on, chewed, and cleaned. You can even wash them in the dishwasher!
Related Content
Epilogue
Kids’ food books can be both educational AND funny. They truly make learning fun, even for the adults reading them! What is your favorite book about food for kids?
Book Lists by Age
If you are looking for more amazing book lists, check out these lists sorted by age.
