Eating to Save the Planet by Anne Broyles, illustrated by Hannah LiPublisher: Holiday House
Format Read: E-book
Number of pages: 128 pages
Published: August 26th, 2025
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review
Eating to Save the Planet opens with a thought-provoking question: "When you walk down the aisles of a grocery store, do you think about all the steps it took for each item to get on the shelf?" This compelling, jam-packed book explores the benefits of adapting a plant-based diet and the broader implications of our food choices.
The book begins by examining how the foods we eat reflect our cultural backgrounds. The book highlights the diversity of meal preparation and explains that people choose their diets based on what kind of an eater they are, whether they are carnivores, omnivores, vegetarian or pescatarians. Each type of eater is described with clear examples and descriptions of the foods they would typically enjoy.
The discussion also delves into the history of food shortages, emphasizing that what we eat is a global issue. It addresses legislative changes being made to promote healthier food options and explores the growing use of regenerative agricultural as a sustainable solution. The book emphasizes the advantages of a plant-based diet and introduces meat alternatives that are currently being used in other countries, like insects as a potential meat substitute. Real life suggestions are made for children to try out, including Meatless Mondays and gradually incorporating new vegetables into their meals.
Overall, Eating to Save the Planet is an informative, and thought proving book about what we put onto our plate and how it impacts our environment. The full-color illustrations will enhance the appeal for younger readers, and I especially enjoyed the impactful graph showing the amount of water that is needed to produce a pound of various types of food. At the back of the book, readers will find a helpful list of sources, websites, and resources for transitioning to a plant-based diet, along with various stories of well-known individuals who have made the switch. This would make a lovely resource for a school or public library.
I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog HERE
**A huge thank you Holiday House for access to the e-book in exchange for an honest review**
