The Fruits We Eat

K-Gr 4—Gail Gibbons knows how to create solid nonfiction books, two of which receive quality treatment in these video presentations. In Fruits, young viewers learn all about fruits found on plants, bushes, vines, and trees—everything from berries to bananas—with many examples given. In Vegetables, Gibbons introduces all kinds of vegetables presented by types—flower bud, bulb, root, fruit vegetable—with plenty of examples. Vegetables in our diet, ways to prepare them, and products made from these foods are also highlighted. Both productions discuss pollination and home gardens vs. large commercial ventures and include notable fruit and vegetable facts. An impressively wide variety is shown in Gibbons's realistic watercolor and ink illustrations that feature pastel tones softened by graceful lines, many with labeled pictures. Vocabulary is introduced along the way as narrator Qarie Marshall reads the clear and informative text with a sprightly musical background.