This title drew me in from the beginning. I loved the passage which states that even the smell of certain foods can evoke memories and transport someone to a place that they've never been. As I was reading, it reminded me of childhood shopping trips with one of my aunts to the farmer's and exotic produce markets, where I would sing "The Fruit Song" from "Sesame Street" as we traveled. Through a mix of recipes, horticultural notes, the history of dishes and trivia, the text invites children to look closer at many of the foods they love, engaging with them on a deeper level as they learn more about what grows around them. The illustrations are beautifully evocative of the foods they represent, detailing the process of how foods are grown, cultivated and turned into dishes with varieties of flavor. (There are shades of Lois Ehlert in the picture composition and design.) Voisard provides readers with the "why" and "how" as well as the "what" of food; explaining what it is about their composition that makes them taste so good in the first place. Children will enjoy pointing out their favorites and learning something new about where they originate.

This is an eclectic book, one that includes a number of different subtopics about food into a single volume. Even the title itself refers to the collective nature of food and the idea that we are all participants in its cultivation. The information is detailed and thorough while opening the door for readers to explore more information on their own, stimulating their interest. In addition to details about the foods themselves, of which there are a very wide selections, there are also insights about how to engage with food sustainably and sensibly, such as reading labels and buying fresh ingredients whenever possible, and reading labels to find out just what's inside of the packaging. The inclusive nature of the book is also welcome and helps to paint a fuller picture of the metaphorical table. There are important sections here about the nature of plant-based milks, food allergies and religious or ethical reasons why people don't consume certain things, as well as an explainer about why some foods don't look or taste good to some people, without any judgment. The topics flow together smoothly and the book never feels crowded, or like it's overloading children with information.


There were so many pleasant surprises in here, which brought back more food memories for me, such as that of the snow ice cream, which I rarely see referenced anywhere else. The nature of the text is such that it will appeal to children with a variety of interests; whether they're drawn in (pun intended) by the artwork, are into gardening, are budding chefs themselves or just enjoy trivia. I can also see this book being used for different subject lesson plans and library programs throughout the year, as there is much to pull from. I did download the educator guide using the QR code and found it useful, particularly in the way that it allows for children to customize the included games. I found this to be an extremely enjoyable read all around and it's definitely one that I would come back to, as well as recommend to children of different ages.


Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Publisher Spotlight (Helvetiq) for this DRC in exchange for a fair and honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

An informative look at fruits and vegetables and how they grow and how we use them. This browseable nonfiction makes it easy to learn something new. Lots of information is included but not in an overwhelming way. Recommended for students in grades 2-5. Would be a good addition to a unit on food or cooking. Purchase for classroom, school and public libraries.

Fun, full of information, and wonderfully engaging.
This book walks the reader through different types of food, what they are, where they come from, and lots of interesting facts about food. While doing so, it does a wonderful job of making food more real, which in turn makes meal and snack time an adventure. There is sure to be at least one (if not multiple) type of food that is new to the reader.
Readers are sure to leave this book wanting to interact with food more - whether it is making something new and exciting in the kitchen, or starting a home garden.
This book is so full of information that young readers will want to read it over and over again.

This vibrant book takes readers on a global food adventure from gardens to grocery stores, the book is packed with fun facts, history, and colorful food illustrations! It’s super engaging, with bite-sized info, easy recipes, and cool history.. A perfect mix of learning, cooking, and sustainability, great for curious minds and future foodies!
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC

I really enjoyed *Our Big Table*—it’s a fun and colorful book that helps kids learn where their food comes from, taking them on a journey from gardens to grocery stores around the world. I loved how it’s packed with interesting facts, simple recipes, and bright illustrations that make fruits and vegetables exciting to explore. I found it to be both educational and entertaining, and I can see how it would be great for school projects or just flipping through for fun.

I’d definitely recommend it to young readers who are curious about food.

Big thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the chance to read this delightful advance copy!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

There is a lot of great food information packed into this wonderful book. It would make a great food resource book for the whole family!

We are a household that LOVES browsable nonfiction, especially me and my 3-year-old son. Our Big Table is such a delightful exploration of food and one that is a perfect addition our shelf.

This book is a great introduction to the browsable children's nonfiction genre! I seriously wish I had this book as a kid. The illustrations are fun, colorful, and simple while the content is filled with tons of intriguing facts. The book does a great job of introducing children to a variety of foods too. My son loved recognizing foods he already knows, but loved discovering new ones the best. I learned a lot myself! Did you know that there was a blue banana??

One of the aspects I appreciated most was how the book encourages kids to think about where their food comes from. Considering that we started our garden last month, my son has a better idea of what the plants will look like before we harvest the food. The inclusion of recipes is a fun bonus, too.

We really loved this book and appreciate the ARC from the publisher. My son couldn’t get enough and wished there was more pages.

This book could not have arrived at a better time. I’m in my gardening, hobby, and creative season, and Our Big Table was an absolute treat. It’s everything I didn’t know I needed in a food-centered children’s book: educational, engaging, and packed with practical takeaways for both kids and adults. This is "Food is Fuel" embodied.

This book covers everything that me as someone who is getting into reading, farming, gardening and health & wellness is in love with. It made me feel like getting into my new hobby is not only possible, but can be extremely enjoyable and exciting. The illustrations are PHENOMENAL ! It covers so much that I appreciate and can use, like : categories, origin, tips on growing, recipes, composting, reducing waste, sustainability and science & historical facts. There is curiosity and practical uses for what is being written about on almost every page. . The downloadable activities at the end was a great addition !

My personal favorite takeaways: realizing we’ve been throwing out bell pepper insides at home when we could have been reusing them and learning about vegetalians.

I am so appreciative that books like this exist for children. Even more that — it's so good that I actually forgot it was for kids. It is useful for every age demographic, but simplified enough for a child to understand. I would read everything this author writes.

Great colorful graphics and a lot of information packed into this book. Would be a great addition to a school library for elementary !

Our Big Table offers lots of information about various types of popular foods. From whole foods to processed goodies, we learn about where foods come from. The author shares information from growing regions to the way things taste to different people. This book has simple but eye-catching illustrations. I think children from 1st-5th grade would enjoy this book. It is one that I would purchase for my classroom.

Thank you to NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.