illustrations by
What’s inside...
A new perspective to familiar meals which explores a number of core curriculum areas in the process. Includes information on healthy eating, food safety and preparation, and meal planning. Encourages readers to make informed decisions about what they eat and why. Explore what people commonly eat for lunch and gain tips for making it a healthy meal.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the mouse will choose for lunch next, and why?
How do the colorful illustrations make you feel about the food?
Can you think of any other animals that might enjoy the same lunch as the mouse?
Why is it important for the mouse to have a variety of foods?
How do you decide what you want to eat for your lunch?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to make the story come alive. Change your tone when the mouse feels different emotions to help your child connect with the character.
Point to the different fruits and vegetables in the illustrations and discuss their colors, shapes, and likely tastes.
After reading, encourage your child to draw their ideal lunch and explain their choices, enhancing their understanding of healthy eating habits.
Relate the story to your child’s experiences by discussing what they had for lunch and if they would share it with a mouse.
Ask your child to guess what comes next in the story before turning the page, building their predictive and analytical skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Healthy Eating
Explanation: The story highlights the journey of a mouse devouring various colorful fruits and vegetables, emphasizing a balanced diet.
Real-World Application: Children will understand the value of incorporating fruits and vegetables into their daily meals to maintain health.
Example Lesson: Colors and Shapes Recognition
Explanation: As the mouse explores different foods, vivid illustrations of fruits and vegetables help children learn and identify various colors and shapes.
Real-World Application: This can aid children in recognizing and naming colors and shapes in their surroundings, enhancing their observational skills.
Example Lesson: Decision Making
Explanation: The mouse chooses different foods to eat, illustrating the process of making choices.
Real-World Application: Children learn that making decisions is a part of everyday life, whether it's choosing what to eat, wear, or play with.
Example Lesson: Cultural Awareness
Explanation: The inclusion of a diverse range of foods can introduce children to different cultures through culinary exploration.
Real-World Application: Children become curious about where different foods come from, promoting an understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity through cuisine.