The Food Pyramid (True Books, Food & Nutrition)

Introduces the food pyramid, describing each level in detail, and discusses nutrition, serving sizes, snacking, and the benefits of healthy eating

K-Gr 2--Basic information simply written about two aspects of nutrition. The Food Pyramid lists the various foods at each of the four levels and gives a vague statement of their value to the body; for example, "Starch is important for energy and strength." Such oversimplication becomes misleading at times. While stating that the calcium in dairy foods is important to build strong bones and healthy teeth, the author does not mention the importance of protein for growth. Loreen Leedy's The Edible Pyramid (Holiday, 1994) covers the same topic in a more entertaining way. Vitamins and Minerals opens with a general discussion of nutrients. Important vitamin and mineral groups are then highlighted. What foods contain these nutrients and an extremely general statement about their benefit are given. No mention is made of deficiency diseases except to note that a particular vitamin or mineral prevents illness. There is more information on this subject in the first chapter of Dorothy Baldwin and Claire Lister's Your Body Fuel (Bookwright, 1984; o.p.). In both books, the many full-color photographs are clear and attractive and the print is easy to read. However, schools would be better served by the Silversteins' "Food Power" series (Millbrook).

Martha Gordon, formerly at South Salem Library, NY

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