Meatless? A fresh look at what you eat

On the morning I arrived at the farm for a visit, I didn't know I would kill a chicken before I left that afternoon. Thus begins Elton's thoughtful exploration of vegetarianism. She begins by diving into the history of meat eating with a discussion of why humans began including meat in their diets. The following chapters examine the environmental impact the meat industry has, what a vegetarian lifestyle looks like, and how to make the dietary switch in a way that still allows for getting all of the required nutrition a growing body needs. Elton presents the information in a straightforward way that is both informative and sensitive to her audience. She wisely keeps the focus on the idea of choice and allows readers to come to their own decisions. The engaging, insightful text is nicely matched by McLaughlin's colorful, photo-filled spreads, which contribute to the upbeat tone and include diverse images of people throughout. This even-handed, supportive, and well-written examination of food choice will fill a gap in many nonfiction collections.--Linsenmeyer, Erin Copyright 2010 Booklist

Gr 2-5-Canadian journalist and children's author Elton (Starting from Scratch: What You Should Know About Food and Cooking) examines what it means to be a vegetarian and why people make that choice. Opening with the attention-grabbing introduction "The Day I Killed a Chicken," Elton explores the history of eating meat (including the role of religion), discusses why people "go vegetarian," and proposes some practical alternatives to meat (nuts, flaxseed, etc.) and several meal ideas. The content is informative and topical, providing a complex look at the benefits and pitfalls of consuming meat. For instance, readers learn about the nutrients humans receive from eating meat, in addition to the environmental consequences of a robust meat industry. Sidebars about various related issues such as food security and how Pythagoras was the father of vegetarianism are interspersed throughout. Elton's prose is clear and kid-friendly, while McLaughlin's vibrant illustrations are light and often humorous. Further reading suggestions offer recommendations of vegetarian cookbooks. VERDICT Great for discussions on health, diet, and the environment.-Sarah Wilsman, Bainbridge Library, Chagrin Falls, OH © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.