Member Reviews
I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The illustrations in this book are so bright and fun. The text is okay...I think kids will enjoy it, especially if they like helping in the garden or learning how things grow. |
Appealing, well-executed illustrations enhance the descriptions of growing vegetables as they push up from the ground and go through the ripening process. The poetic images are sweet, for the most part. However, the religious ethos of the author and publisher comes through in places. Therefore, we cannot recommend this book for the general public. |
Cute little book that teaches kids about vegetables, the illustrations were really vibrant and the story had a great rythm and rhyme. |
Easy and fun way to learn about vegetables and where they come from. Interesting facts. Great illistrations. Kids will love to learn by reading this book. Would recommend. |
This book had lovely illustrations and was fun and whimsical. The text, however, was kind of hard to connect with for my kiddos. |
This story is all about vegetables growing and thriving throughout every season and I loved every second of it. Each page is filled with vibrant colors and when it's a certain season, the sky changes from white to the season's corresponding color. I really enjoyed the poetic writing and rhymes throughout the text, it matches the tone of the illustrations perfectly. |
Sarah M, Reviewer
I loved this illustrations. Great way for kids to learn the difference between various vegetables and hopefully develop an appreciation for them, as well as for gardening and the earth. |
I enjoyed this book because I felt it was very evocative of my summers growing up, where my mother would plant a large garden and we kids would see the different plants growing and ripening at different times during the growing season. This book definitely had an Asian-style spirituality about it, with a definite message about a harmony with Mother Nature. Perhaps in part due to this, I think it would almost appeal to adults more than children, although children can definitely learn about the life cycles of plants and where veggies come from by looking at this book. The illustrations look deceptively simple, but there is a grace and beauty to them that keeps you looking again. |
Jaye T, Educator
This simple text offers readers a delightful journey in the garden. The illustrations are fascinating and complement the text well. This book reminds us how important the earth and the food that grows and deserves to be respected in its own right. |
Muriel C, Reviewer
A child's introduction to fruits and vegetables growing in a garden. There is not much to the text since the main focus is the watercolor pictures that fill each page. As the story unfolds you see different vegetables in growing in their season. The illustrations are bright and use neon colors, but are not precise and have a childlike unfinished quality. Happy Veggies is suitable for children under 5 years. |
A short simple to understand book that I read to my grandson. He loves to go to the Farmers Markets to buy his veggies and enjoys cooking them with his Mums. He read along with me and as I got to each vegetable he called out the names of them all. He especially loved the rhymes with the illustrations, making it a fun read. Thanks to NetGalley and Parallax Press, Plum Blossom for the opportunity to read and review this book. |
Happy Veggies is a very sweet and descriptive book, about all the vegetables in the garden. The illustrations are colorful and creative, and the book gives a good tour through the vegetable garden. Personally I found the final page about Buddhist spirituality a little bit incongruous after the very simple style of the book itself, but I get what they were trying to do. Overall, great educational children's book! |
Realistic illustrations of vegetables. Great book for kids to understand different vegetables and how they are grown. Prose is good. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC. |
Monica M, Reviewer
A simple, delighted and joyful way to teach children where their veggies come from and how they grow. The artist who illustrated the book was unknown for me, but now i´ve become a fan of her style. The illustrations are stunning and delicate. I would recommend this book not only to children but also to adults who like art. Thanks to Parallax Press and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are fully mine. #HappyVeggies #NetGalley |
Katie S, Reviewer
There’s a lovely poetry style quality to this book that is great exposure for young readers. My son loves veggies and enjoyed the illustrations and rhythm of the reading. |
Sarah L, Reviewer
The premise of Happy Veggies was to get children interested in vegetables. However, while this does provide information on how different vegetables grow and where they are found, a young child will likely be bored with this. The illustrations are very nice, but not enough for a young one to be fascinated by the book. For someone interested in nature and appreciative of Mother Earth, this will be a good choice. However, as a selection to read to a child to get them to want to eat more vegetables, this isn't the best book. Recommended for children ages 4-6. |
SARAH M, Educator
This book is simple and sweet. The illustrations and to the reading experience. I like the vocabulary included in the book and the positive tone. |
Holly C, Reviewer
Happy Veggies is a cute book that exposes children to a large variety of vegetables and explains where they come from. The illustrations are superb—they are realistic and vivid. And the text along with each type of vegetable is descriptive no meaningful. My favorite was the asparagus — “Spring warms the earth. Asparagus pokes it’s head out. Where were they hiding? All dressed up, in a line.” Bees, blossoms and butterflies make cameo appearances throughout the book. Thank you to NetGalley and Parallax Press for an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion. |
I am sure that this book's educational text and simple colorful paintings will appeal to very young children and give them a better understanding of where vegetables come from. |
So many kids don't know where vegetables come from... or even what many vegetables are. This book, with its lovely illustrations, would be a great way to introduce younger kids to gardening. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this beautiful book. The comments are my own, unbiased opinion. |








