V Is for Vegan: The ABCs of Being Kind

PreS—This rhyming alphabet book presents the whys and hows of veganism for young children. The text makes clear what vegans consume (legumes, vegetables, fruit, grains, nuts, and seeds) and what they would avoid: "A is for animals-/friends not food./We don't eat our friends,/they'd find it quite rude." The message goes far beyond food by including information about capturing insects, clothing choices, zoos, cooking, shelters vs. pet stores, animal testing, recycling and reusing, and gardening. A lot of information is packed into this little picture book, giving families a good jumping-off point for discussions about food, animal welfare, and the environment. The cartoon illustrations are lighthearted and full of smiling people and animals, though the most telling is sure to be the image of the young boy about to bite into a calm, but clearly perplexed, live chicken. This beast-, fowl-, and insect-friendly title will be useful as an overview for young vegans and young friends of vegans. Find a place for it.—Heather Acerro, Rochester Public Library, MN