Mealtime
Words for everyday Series
on Goodreads (2)
What’s inside...
Color illustrations introduce children to ordinary objects found at mealtime, such as an apple, a sandwich, and a place setting.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What was your favorite part of the mealtime in the book, and why?
How do you think the characters felt when they were sharing their food?
If you could create a special meal from the book, what ingredients would you use?
Why do you think it’s important for the characters to eat together?
What is one new food from the book that you would like to try?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to demonstrate the excitement of mealtime in the story, altering your tone to match the scenes.
After reading, relate the story to your child’s experiences by discussing your family mealtime rituals and favorite dishes.
Encourage your child to draw their favorite meal from the book, fostering a deeper connection with the story’s themes.
Build empathy by discussing how sharing meals can affect the mood and relationships among the characters, and relate it to your own family or friends.
Ask your child to help prepare a meal inspired by the book, which can create a fun, educational activity and promote a hands-on understanding of the book’s themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of healthy eating
Explanation: In 'Mealtime', the characters explore a variety of nutritious foods, emphasizing their value and benefits through colorful illustrations and dialogues.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by making healthier food choices during their own mealtimes, understanding the benefits of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Example Lesson: Table manners
Explanation: The book depicts scenarios where characters demonstrate polite table manners, such as using utensils properly and chewing with their mouths closed.
Real-World Application: Kids can emulate these behaviors at the dining table, practicing good manners during family meals or while eating at school.
Example Lesson: Sharing and cooperation
Explanation: Characters in 'Mealtime' share their food and help each other in setting up and cleaning after meals, fostering a spirit of teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children learn to cooperate during group activities, sharing resources and working together harmoniously in various settings such as at home, in school, or during play.
Example Lesson: Trying new foods
Explanation: The story encourages exploring different cuisines and ingredients, as characters happily try new dishes presented to them.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children to be open to experimenting with new foods when offered, broadening their culinary palette and experience.
Example Lesson: The joy of mealtime
Explanation: Through vibrant storytelling and engaging dialogues, 'Mealtime' portrays meals as joyful and communal events.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to value and look forward to mealtimes as opportunities to interact with family and friends, enhancing their social skills and familial bonds.