Apples, Cherries, Red Raspberries: What Is in the Fruits Group?

By: Brian P. Cleary
Publisher: Millbrook Press
Publication Date: August 2010
ISBN: 978-1580135894
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: September 2010

The CATegorical cats are all set to give kids the scoop on fruit. According to MyPyramid for Kids, children should be eating between “1 to 1.5 cups of fruit every day.” We all know we need to exercise and eat right, but not all children know what they need to eat and how much. There are five different categories on the pyramid: grains, vegetables, fruits, milk, and meat & beans. A purple CATegorical cat, with a Cheshire cat grin no less, is all set to give us the definition of a fruit. He points to his easel that says a fruit is: “The part of a plant that contains seeds. Fruits can usually be eaten. Most fruits taste sweet.”

Three zany cats sit on a bench snacking on fruit. “Some fruits are juicy, while others are dried. / Some have a core and some seeds deeps inside. / Some fruits are sweet, while others are sour. / And they help keep us healthy with vitamin power!” There are superhero cats, cat docs on parade, cats in orchards, cats scattered everywhere telling us all about fruit and how it can help us stay healthy. You’ll learn about different kinds of fruit, how much we should eat, where they are grown, how we can eat them, you’ll learn about some that make tasty juices, which ones are high in fiber, which ones are good for pies, and you’ll learn many other interesting things about them. Do you know which one packs a “potassium punch?” If not, you simply need to check out these CATegorical cats.

The CATegorical cats are back in action to tell us about fruit and the fruit group. It never ceases to amaze me when Brian Cleary comes up with another super book with his ingenious rhyming scheme to teach yet another concept or lesson. This book, one in the Food is CATegorical series, rocks and rolls as its zany cat instructors tell us everything we need to know (well, almost) about fruit and why we need to eat it. The colorful, crazy artwork combined with the wawawa WONDERFUL verse will keep the reluctant reader going until the last page is turned. There is also a recommended link to the MyPyramid for Kids. This would be an excellent addition to any homeschool or classroom shelves!

Quill says: If you'd like your children or classroom to learn all about food, you just might want to consider looking into the fabulous "Food is CATegorical" series!