Meals in China

With a focus on everyday foods, these books shed light on what students from around the world eat at home and school. Adorable children are shown helping family members prepare meals that are closely associated with their country and culture. Spreads consist of large color photos of kids with food or close-ups of dishes along with a few sentences that describe ingredients and explain how they are eaten, supplemented by comments such as “good,” “yummy,” or “spicy.” Photos are bright and attractive, but food preparation images are often set in kitchens so generic that they could be found almost anywhere, which lessens the overall sense of authenticity. VERDICT A secondary choice for introduction to world cultures through food.