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Fred is an urban beekeeper who shares the fruits of his work with neighbors. Information about beekeeping and bees is included.

Young Jay Jay helps his loving and much loved grandmother prepare for a big family dinner. Warm, welcoming illustrations spice up this rhythmical ode to the joys of family and food.

A child and his mother go to a farmers’ market to get fresh produce and goods. On alternating pages, the person responsible for growing each kind of food is introduced, bringing to light many unknown jobs as well as food sources. The bold linear illustrations are created by handsome paper cut-outs.

Growing fruits and vegetables doesn’t take a lot of space; they can even grow in crowded cities! From beekeeping to chickens, small areas can support food which leads to sharing, eating, and caring for others and the environment. Once the concept of urban agriculture is introduced, who knows what may blossom?!

The narrator (always within her mother’s sight) independently picks berries for jam. When she encounters a bee she remembers to stand still until it leaves. The same encounter is told again from the bee’s perspective for a satisfying story told in rhyme with expressive illustrations.

Summertime is a time for growing vegetables. Younger children can now see if different vegetables grow above or below ground and get a sense of what they might feel like when touched. Crisp illustrations incorporate texture that can be seen and felt.

A mother and her child get the ingredients for soup on a snowy day and then add everything to the pot. The pair plays snug and warm while the soup simmers until Dad comes home when they enjoy soup together. Crisp collage and a simple text make for a cozy read.

Crisply lined and clearly placed illustrations of different fruits are arranged by color on sturdy pages. Embedded in illustrations on each double-page spread is a textured part that suggests how the fruit feels when touched.

Children everywhere — including the young rainforest animals — tire of eating the same thing. Happily, the animal parents in this lively book come up with a tasty and creative solution in this colorful, rhyming story that sprinkles Spanish throughout.

The tale of the generous boy who gives a mouse a cookie with unexpected and very funny consequences celebrates its 25th anniversary with a special edition. End pages have a board game that can be played by two or more players.

In this latest in the graphic novel series, Stone Rabbit and his friend save a homemade pizza business, defeating the incredibly speedy but totally mediocre new pizzeria, the Ninja Slice. Lots of comic book illustration and action create the book’s appeal.

Though it’s unlikely that anyone has ever heard of Walter Diemer, chances are they’ve used — or at least heard of — his invention: bubblegum. Diemer’s story from accountant to successful inventor is presented in a lively text with cartoon illustrations.

Jack is invited to the princess’ birthday party but is too poor to buy a worthy gift so instead bakes a cake. It never gets delivered, however, but the clever boy gives the most lasting gift of all: an engaging story. Lively language and humorous illustrations are used in the original story told in the tradition of a folktale.

A family shares a nighttime picnic with traditional mooncakes and other foods to honor the moon. Each silently shares a wish that is sent to the moon. The quiet celebration is presented through Lin’s signature illustrations and simple text. An endnote provides a bit more information about the festival.

In a neighborhood of flower gardens, a Chinese-American girl and her mother plant what the child considers to be ugly vegetables. The ugly vegetables, however, become attractive and help build community when made into a delicious soup! A recipe is included.

This look at one local farm presents a look at work on a farm raising food and animals while protecting the environment. Handsome photographs show the uniqueness of the seasons.

Earth’s recipe for the food we eat — seed, soil, and sun — are presented in crisp photographs and brief, lucid text all in a large format. Young scientists (and their adults) may be inspired to start their own seeds but observe their world more closely.

This offbeat and slightly irreverent original story invents a tale about the creation of the universe; it was made in the kitchen of Mr. & Mrs. God. Older readers will enjoy the humor of the verbal sparring between the duo and in the homespun look of the light-handed illustrations.

In the Spring, apple blossoms draw buzzing bees. The blossoms slowly grow into apples that are ready to pick in the fall. Younger children can explore apples from seed to table in brief text and stunning photographs. Similarly, children can thank bees in the Spring for their fall jack-o-lanterns, shown from start to finish in Seed, Spout, Pumpkin Pie (opens in a new window).

Jacob learns a great deal from his favorite television baker, Chef Monty. And he puts those skills to great use just in time for his parents’ anniversary making dessert — a peach pie — the celebration’s first course. Jacob’s good humor and problem solving skills (with a little help from his sister) make for sweet reading.

Just like the golden touch of King Midas of the old Greek myth, young John Midas’ greed about candy turns sweet into bitter when he magically gains the ability to turn everything he touches into chocolate. This very funny take on an old tale is a classic in its own right and makes clear the Midas moral.

A long-eared hound is the king’s official taster whose job is to make sure that nothing will harm the young royal. Even after dog and his cook search worldwide for new, tasty recipes, the king refuses to eat. Intervention by royal parents is required when secret candy eating is revealed, resolving all issues. Humor abounds in this satisfying saga.

Edna Lewis grew up on a Virginia farm where she developed a deep appreciation for the rhythm of nature, the beauty in growing things, and the warmth in sharing a home cooked meal. Edna’s early life and passion led to a career as a professional chef known for preserving cooking traditions. Several recipes are included in this handsome, lively book.