I recently began my search for a simple, clear children's book about vegetarianism. I wanted something more than a story about an unrealistic, cartoon animal, as well as a story that touched on the environment and American factory farms (the main reason why we are strict vegetarians). I was really happy to find That's Why We Don't Eat Animals by Ruby Roth.
My three-year-old found the pictures to be very interesting, but he wasn't completely enthralled by the story...I think he may be a tad young to fully understand it. I hope to buy it and have it as our main vegetarian book, so the children can read it when they've got questions as to why we don't eat meat. It's hasn't been an issue yet, and I feel fortunate to live somewhere where my children's eating habits will barely shock a soul. However, they're still going to be different, and I hope to have many resources to help them figure it out.
I personally enjoyed the story, because it made me think more about the animals and how they were made to live. I often just get caught up on ethics of the American factory farms and how it's so hard on our world. Being reminded that we are all "earthlings" really resounded with me, and why it's difficult for me to eat animals and why I never will again.
On my list of many things I want to do this year, writing a reflective essay about raising a vegetarian family is one of them...let's see if it happens.
PS - Another fun find has been the final track on Alphabutt: Sunbeams and Some Beans by Kimya Dawson. It's a simple story about the injustice of our current food system. Again, it's not all gloom and doom, but just an honest story with some hopeful steps of how you can make a difference.
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