How To Feed Your Parents
What’s inside...
Matilda Macaroni loves to try new foods, whether it’s her grandma’s jambalaya or sushi at a sleepover. But in this picture book, it’s finicky mom and dad—not the child—who eat only pizza with pepperoni (delivered), burgers from a bag, or noodles from a box. Eager to experience new flavors, Matilda secretly sets out to learn how to cook, satisfy her hunger for something more, and expand her parents’ palates, too.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-6
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What are some ways Matilda tries to change her parents' eating habits? How does she feel when they resist trying new foods?
If you could cook any meal for our family, what would it be and why?
Why do you think Matilda's parents were hesitant to try new foods at first? Have you ever felt the same about trying something new?
How do Matilda and her family feel at the end of the story? What changed throughout the book?
What did you learn from this story about trying new things or helping others to try new things?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and opinions about the story without fear of judgment. Use follow-up questions to dig deeper into their understanding and feelings. Connect the themes of the book to your child’s real-life experiences, such as discussing a time when they tried something new or were encouraged to eat differently. Share your personal experiences related to the story’s themes to foster a deeper connection and understanding. Reinforce the importance of patience and understanding when someone is hesitant to try new things, just like Matilda shows with her parents.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Trying new things can be rewarding
Explanation: In the story, Matilda encourages her parents to try out new and adventurous dishes, showing them the enjoyment of discovering new tastes.
Real-World Application: Children can be inspired to be open-minded and explore diverse foods, activities, and ideas outside their comfort zones.
Example Lesson: Cooking can be a fun family activity
Explanation: The book depicts family bonding over meal preparation, with Matilda and her parents spending quality time in the kitchen.
Real-World Application: Kids might be encouraged to participate in cooking at home, which enhances family time and teaches valuable life skills.
Example Lesson: Responsibility and initiative
Explanation: Matilda takes the initiative to cook and plan meals, which demonstrates responsibility and leadership.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to take on responsibilities at home, such as helping out with meals, thus fostering a sense of accomplishment and independence.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding different perspectives
Explanation: Through the story, Matilda learns why her parents prefer certain foods and gains insight into their hesitations about trying new dishes.
Real-World Application: This can teach children to consider and respect others’ preferences and viewpoints, promoting empathy in social interactions.
Example Lesson: Persistence in overcoming challenges
Explanation: Despite initial reluctance from her parents, Matilda persistently introduces new recipes, which eventually leads to a positive change.
Real-World Application: This can motivate children to persistently work towards their goals and not be discouraged by initial setbacks.