Strange Foods (No Way!)

Michael J. Rosen is the acclaimed author of some three dozen books for children of all ages (and even more for grown-ups!), including The Cuckoo’s Haiku and Other Poems for Birders; Our Farm: Four Seasons with Five Kids on One Famiy’s Farm (which he both wrote and illustrated with some 400 photographs); A Drive in the Country; Don’t Shoot!; A School for Pompey Walker; and Elijah’s Angel. For over 35 years, ever since working as a counselor, water-safety instructor, and art teacher at local community centers, Michael has been engaged with young children, their parents, and teachers. As a visiting author, in-service speaker, and workshop leader, he frequently travels to schools and conferences around the nation, sharing his stories, poems, creativity, and humor.

As a talented editor and illustrator, Michael has enlisted hundreds of other authors and artists to create 15 philanthropic books that aid in the fight to end childhood hunger through Share Our Strength’s national efforts, or that offer care to less fortunate companion animals through The Company of Animals Fund, a granting program he began in 1990.

For the last four years, working with the Ohio Children’s Foundation, Michael created a early literacy activity book, particularly designed for kids who are likely to start school without knowing the alphabet: You, Me, and the ABCs: 100 Ready-for-Reading Activities for Kids and Their Favorite Grown-ups.

"These titles focus on things that are strange, silly, smelly, or just plain yucky, and they have enough trivia and facts to entertain readers for hours. Buildings includes cave homes, tree houses, and underground dwellings; it is fun and probably the most informative. Medical Cures includes leeches, chelation, and crystals; Foods includes yak-butter tea and assorted insects. While each spread covers more than one unusual food, home, or treatment, the entries are organized by topic. The authors' approach and use of language is easygoing and often tongue-in-cheek. They are not going for extremes or too shocking; the tone is fairly matter-of-fact. They highlight 'just the facts' while fully acknowledging the gross-out factor. Buildings could easily support an architecture unit with its creativity and mix of art, sculpture, and construction. Medical Cures points out some less-than-standard treatments, including sutra neti (you pass a string from nostril to mouth). Foods is straightforward, admitting that eating a Sardinian cheese intentionally filled with maggots has its challenges. Although these titles are limited in curriculum connections, children will love browsing through them and sharing them with one another." ―School Library Journal