Good Food, Bad Waste

Reviews for Good Food, Bad Waste

• “A thorough, upbeat look at the problem of food waste proposing some individual responses… Bright, cartoonish illustrations and plenty of appetizing color photos showing diverse kids and adults break up the text… A stack of burgers represents the scale of U.S. food waste, while Canada’s stack is poutine… Belgium’s is waffles, and France’s is macarons.” 
  – Kirkus Reviews

• “With a hopeful message that even small changes by individuals or groups can make a huge difference, this book is excellent for independent or curriculum‑related reading.” 
  – Canadian Children’s Book Centre

• “Through positive encouragement, children will feel inspired to take action and help change their family’s eating and waste habits. This informative book would be a valuable addition to any library.” 
  – Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD)

• “A deep dive into why humans waste so much food and the consequences for people and the planet… With inspiring profiles of food‑waste activists and tasty tidbits on things like best‑before dates, Good Food, Bad Waste offers much food for thought.” 
  – Goodreads (reader review)

• “A thoughtful and engaging book that encourages kids to think critically about food waste and sustainability. The illustrations are vibrant and the message is clear: small changes can make a big difference. Perfect for classroom discussions or home reading.” 
  – Goodreads (reader review)

• “Every Year, almost a billion tons of food gets thrown away, much of which could still be eaten. Explore how different parts of the world contribute to this food waste, understand it’s connection to global warming, and discover simple way for families to reduce waste at home. Lean about environmentally friendly eating habits like reducing meat consumption, starting a home or community garden, and creating compost. The text is accompanied by colorful and educational graphics to make it engaging for children. Fun facts called “food for thought” and stories about “food waste heros” are scattered throughout the book. Additional reources include a glossary, helpful links, and an author’s note. Through positive encouragement, children will feel inspired to take action and help change their family’s eating and waste habits. This informative book would be a valuable additon to any library, offering important lessons in a fun and accessible format for young readers.”
  – Review from CLCD Company
• “Highly Recommended”
  – Review from School Library Journal
• “How much food do people waste in a day? What about a week? A month? The answer will make readers think twice before telling their parents that they don’t want to eat the leftovers from last night’s dinner. As I read this book I could hear my own parents, who lived through the Great Depression, repeatedly telling me and my siblings to finish everything on our plates. This book details how food waste affects families, communities, and the environment. The author offers many examples of food waste as well as how and why it happens. A combination of cartoons and photographs illustrate how young people can help avoid food waste and show how this waste impacts the environment both locally and globally. The ideas presented offer an exciting potential source for research and personal activism. The book, as well as the included list of further resources, equips students with the ability to gain even more knowledge on how they can impact their own food waste habits. Suggestions include taking part in family grocery shopping, composting at home, and starting a home garden. The language used is accessible for readers in grades 4-8, though the cartoon illustrations might put off older readers despite the information being detailed and timely. The book contains numerous examples of people, both young and older, who are attempting to fight food waste and prevent leftover food from ending up in a landfill—instead redirecting excess food to those who truly need it. This is a highly readable book with a topic that hits close to many homes. Additional Resources. Glossary. Index.”
  – Richard Fanning, Library Media Specialist, The Village School, Houston, Texas