Children's Book Idea

[Nicole730]

Hi, I mostly lurk in this section, but I have a question for you all.  I want to make my 3 year old son a book.  With a picture of a food in it's original form and then on the opposite page, the food prepared to eat.  So:

corn stalk = cooked corn on the cob

raspberry plant = bowl of raspberries

wheat = bread

cow = burger

chicken = chicken nuggets

soy = veggie burger

cow being milked = dairy products

chicken with an egg (coming out if I can find it) = fried egg

Etc...

As of right now both of my children and myself do not consume any meat or meat products.  We do eat dairy and eggs.  I know that my husband doesn't want my children to be "freaks" and would prefer them to eat meat.  He doesn't push the issue much though.  I told him about my idea for the picture book.  I will not deny my children eating animals if they want to, but I believe they should know what they are eating.  I figured why not make a book that shows how almost all food looks as it grows and on the table.  Good for the learning process, right?  DH thinks I would be brain washing our 3 year old into not eating meat.  I don't plan on using the words I would love to use (like the chicken is murdered...)  I would just have simple pictures and then simple words.  Corn stalk = Corn on the cob.  Chicken = Chicken Nuggets (or other chicken dish) Potatoes = mashed potatoes.  Etc...

Do you think this would be overly pushy?  Or his my DH just being sensitive about the issue because knows most sane kids wouldn't choose to eat an animal ;) !

[Kkrpata]

I personally like the idea, but I'm in the same boat as you.  My husband would like our kids to eat meat for the same reason, so they're not "weird".  Whatever, I think eating dead animals is weird but I don't give him a hard time about it ;).  I have never made a book, but both my kids (age 5 and 3) understand where their food comes from.  I've always been very honest and my daughter asks questions and I tell the truth.  But like you I don't use the word murder with them, I just tell them that some people eat animals, but I choose not to eat animals because animals are our friends.  I wish someone had explained it to me when I was a kid....

[SundayCrepes]

I've been far more heavy handed. "That's a dead chicken. I don't think the chicken wanted to be eaten." At about 4 he was a confirmed vegetarian.

Oops, gotta go.

[AAK]

I love the idea.  

FWIW I do eat meat.  I am usually lurking on this board because we are trying to eat less and less meat.  But, I wanted to chime in that just because a person eats meat doesn't mean they don't want their kids to know where it comes from.  My kids have ALWAYS known what is required to get that piece of meat on the table.  But, grandpa raises our beef, so it isn't the "superstore" market beef.  Grandpa treats the cattle very well.  However, my kids know that grandpa does kill the cow (and how) and that the butcher cuts/wraps it.  If they see raw meat and say "eww blood"  I always respond, "yes, that is blood. . . the cow was once alive. . .if you would like a vegetarian meal just let me know."

Amy

[Nicole730]

Thanks for the responses!

My dad caught and smoked some fish (salmon) that DH was eating tonight.  DH asked DS if he wanted to try a bite of fish and DS said yes.  I cringed a little, but didn't intervene.  The thing looked like a fish (skin had to be peeled back) and it's called fish - so I think DS knew what he was trying.  Well, knew to some extent.  Obviously he still doesn't get that the fish was killed.  Or even get what killed means...  Anyway, DS did not care for the fish, so that was that.  Now, off to make my book!