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Reviews Vegetarians, Vegans, Animals  & the Environment

Books Children's Books

The amount of land needed to sustain a vegetarian diet is considerably less than is that needed for a meat-based diet (vegans require the least amount of land of all.) So, if a greater percentage of the world’s population turned to a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle there would be more land that could be returned to a more natural, healthy environment. As well, natural ecosystems currently being destroyed for the meat industry could remain natural. There would also be more food for the world’s hungry.

This section will look at books that are of interest to vegetarians, vegans and those who are trying to convert to these life-giving, compassionate, healthy lifestyles!

Living Among Meat Eaters: The Vegetarian’s Survival Handbook Carol J. Adams ISBN: 0609807439 Life as a vegetarian or vegan is not always simple or easy – especially when we have to deal with meat eaters in a primarily meat eating world. Millions of North Americans have turned to vegetarianism and embraced this healthy, compassionate diet – and our numbers are increasing. Unfortunately, we are still a minority and problems or inconveniences with meat eating family members, relatives, friends, co-workers and others are commonplace. Our ethical diet draws a variety of responses, everything from kidding to anger. To help you overcome any problems or annoyances pertaining to living with and eating with meat eaters there is the book Living Among Meat Eaters: The Vegetarian’s Survival Handbook. Written by Carol J. Adams, this informative book contains good advice on how to deal with the meat eaters in your life. Adams suggests that we consider meat eaters as “blocked vegetarians.” Using her own experiences and more than 200 surveys from vegetarians who live with meat eaters, Adams provides good advice that will things easier for vegetarians – and meat eaters in their company. “We have the greatest gift of all: we know the joy of food lovingly prepared that is humane. This is the key to living among meat eaters. Find in yourself a way to share it. Cooking is one way to negotiate difficult relationships, one way that says, ‘I love you. Let me share this with you.’ “Meat eaters are free to enter a loving, non judgmental space. By presenting good food, we let them know that we are not judging them and we give them the space not to judge themselves. They can simply be. Then they can experience grace. And they may realize this might be a place to which they wish to return because they will associate it with positive emotions – of hunger satisfied and guilt released. Here, eating our food, they are not blocked vegetarians. They are experiencing vegetarianism directly.” (page 198) In the chapter “Love at Work III: Living with Meat Eaters – Partners and Children” Adams discusses such topics as living with meat eating partners, raising the children of a couple only one of whom is a vegetarian, raising vegetarian children and cooking with children. To complement the practical advice given to vegetarians, Adams has included more than 70 pages of vegetarian recipes in the chapter “Recipes for Yourself and Others.” A section on “About Ingredients and Products” is also very informative describing items of interest to vegetarians and where and how they can be used. The appendices to Living Among Meat Eaters are also very useful and enhance an already insightful book. Appendix A, “Living Among Meat Eaters: Rules of Thumb,” provides reminders of important points pertaining to living with meat eaters. Appendix B, “Letter to Parents of Vegetarians,” contains wise advice for parents whose children have chosen vegetarianism. Appendix C is “The Vegetarian Patrons of Restaurants Card.” The reader is encouraged to make copies of the card provided which can be filled in and left at restaurants so that the needs of vegetarians visiting the restaurant in the future can be better met. Appendix D is an “International Vegetarian Card” which says “I am vegetarian. What do you recommend?” in 21 languages. Living Among Meat Eaters provides valuable information about how vegetarians can not only exist with meat eaters, but thrive in their company to everyone’s benefit!

Vegetarian Christmas Rose Elliot ISBN: 0007101309 While there are numerous good recipe books for vegetarian and vegan meals, the same cannot be said for Christmas recipes. That is why I was pleased when I came across Rose Elliot’s book Vegetarian Christmas. Originally published in 1992, this informative book was published again in 2000. In Vegetarian Christmas, Elliot has compiled an impressive selection of foods that you will want to make and eat during the festive season – everything from vegetarian Christmas pudding, mincemeat and Christmas couscous to mulled wine and cinnamon shortbreads. While many of Elliot’s recipes contain dairy products and eggs, she also includes numerous recipes for vegans – and  most of the vegetarian recipes could easily be modified for vegan diets. Besides including recipes commonly associated with Christmas, Elliot provides useful information on planning and preparing your Christmas meals and snacks as well as efficiently using your freezer so that you can do a lot of the cooking ahead of time giving you more time to relax and enjoy this wonderful time of year. This festive book (even the type is in red and green ink) provides people with healthy and/or compassionate diets with an excellent selection of Christmas recipes. Vegetarian Christmas will make a valuable addition to any recipe book collection.

Vegetarian Comfort Food: Meals Like Mom Makes, Without the Meat Jennifer Warren ISBN: 155285261X Jennifer Warren’s  book Vegetarian Comfort Food: Meals Like Mom Makes, Without the Meat contains a diverse selection of recipes, many of which are unique and sound great. For example, in a section on “Breakfasts & Brunches” Warren has such recipes as Chocolate Chip and Banana Pancakes and Cinnamon Peanut Toast. Avocado-Tomato Melt is an interesting sounding recipe in the “Sandwiches” section while Curried Squash Soup is in the “Soups” section. Other examples of interesting sounding recipes include: Creamy Vegetable-Chickpea Salad (“Salads”), Maple Syrup Vinaigrette (“Dressings, Dips & Sauces”), Tomato-Cream Penne with Vodka (“Main Courses”), Two-Tone Oven Fries (“Vegetables”), Garlic Basil Bread (“Side Dishes”) and Vegan Chocolate-Rum Cheesecake (“Desserts”.) Vegetarian Comfort Food is a recipe book for vegetarians, although vegans could easily modify most of the recipes to suit their diets. In fact, Warren offers a short section on “Substitutions – Notes for Vegans.”  If you’ve become bored with your vegetarian/vegan recipes or simply want to try some unique recipes I recommend that you pick up a copy of Vegetarian Comfort Food.

Steven Raichlen’s High-Flavor Low-Fat Vegetarian Cooking Steven Raichlen ISBN: 0140241248 This impressive volume, written by Steven Raichlen and photographed by Greg Schneider, contains 225 recipes (and close to 40 colour photographs.) The vegetarian recipes are divided into the following sections: appetizers; soups; salads; muffins and breads; pizzas, pies, and sandwiches; pasta and noodle dishes; vegetable dishes; grain dishes; bean dishes; soy dishes; sauces and condiments; desserts and basic recipes. Other informative sections include “Cooks Notes: A Guide to Ingredients” and “Metric Guidelines.” Steven Raichlen’s High-Flavor Low-Fat Vegetarian Cooking won the 1996 James Beard Award for Best Vegetarian Cookbook. This book also won the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine Award for healthiest book of the year. Steven Raichlen’s High-Flavor Low-Fat Vegetarian Cooking will complement any collection of quality vegetarian recipe books!

Don’t Drink the Water: The Walkerton Tragedy Brenda Lee Burke ISBN: 1552127133 In May 2000 a horrible and preventable tragedy struck the town of Walkerton, Ontario. E. coli 0157:H7, a deadly strain of bacteria found in the intestines of cattle, had invaded Walkerton’s water system. This particular bacteria can cause kidney failure, brain damage and death. The Walkerton outbreak resulted in the deaths of 7 people – including a two-year-old girl. More than 2000 others became ill. Thousands of others were adversely affected in some way. Don’t Drink the Water: The Walkerton Tragedy is a well researched, comprehensive account of how this sad, tragic event unfolded. In bringing to light the sequence of events leading up to this environmental and health catastrophe, Brenda Lee Burke has put together a book that not only provides considerable information on the subject of drinking water, but also a stern warning of the consequences that can occur when we place little value on the environment or take it for granted. As you read through the information compiled by Burke, it is difficult not to get angry with those responsible for the contaminated water. Individuals, governments and industry all played roles in this tragic event. The following are a few sections of the book that I found particularly disturbing. “While Well 7 was awash with swamp water, Well 5 was flooded with runoff from neighbouring farms. The rain carried the manure through the shallow surface layer and contaminated the underground aquifer. Well 5’s chlorinator, working with low levels of chlorine, failed to kill the bacteria entering the system and E. coli 0157:H7 made its way to Walkerton taps.” (page 164) “Prior to the Walkerton tragedy, Premier Mike Harris protected huge factory farms through right-to-farm laws that restricted the ability of municipalities to halt the development of factory farms, even when there were complaints of odour and manure spills.” (page 181) “According to McCarrel, [spokesperson for the group Citizens Actively Representing Environmental Security] liquid manure pollution was not being addressed. She knew the government was subsidizing farmers who used tile drainage that directed manure runoff into streams and rivers.” (page 183) “The Walkerton inquiry discovered that staff reductions in the environment ministry meant most plants across the province hadn’t been inspected for up to three years. Under the NDP government in 1993-94, 75 per cent of plants were inspected. In sharp contrast, only 24 percent of these plants were examined during 1998-99 under the Conservatives.” (pages 230-231) Don’t Drink the Water effectively addresses the tragic circumstances that can occur when you combine a provincial government that puts dollars and cents ahead of the environment and health, large farms and unqualified people in important positions. And while much of the blame can be attributed to these, much of the blame must also be placed on our society that relies heavily on animals for food. Hopefully, by remembering and heeding the consequences of the Walkerton tragedy we will avert similar catastrophes. Brenda Lee Burke’s insightful book needs to be mandatory reading for some high school and university courses – as well as for those who are involved in maintaining and treating our drinking water!

The Big Book of Herbs: A Comprehensive Illustrated Reference to Herbs of Flavor and Fragrance
Arthur O. Tucker and Thomas Debaggio
ISBN: 1883010861

My wife Lynn and I, along with our children Liam and Gleannan live a vegan lifestyle. Much of the food that we use in our compassionate diet comes from our numerous organic gardens – including an herb garden located near the house. It is very satisfying, not to mention convenient, to walk out the door, take a few steps and gather some basil to make bruschetta, lemon balm for a cup of tea or some of the other herbs, like sage and oregano, to add flavour to a meal. Herbs play an important part in our vegan lifestyle.

In their book The Big Book of Herbs, Arthur O. Tucker and Thomas Debaggio provide considerable information on many herbs. The book’s beginning focuses on such things as plant identification, creating good growing conditions, container cultivation, keeping herbs healthy and harvesting herbs. The bulk of the rest of the book’s 688 pages contains information on specific herbs.

For the numerous herbs covered, Tucker and Debaggio provide information on such things as hardiness, light, water, soil, propagation, culinary use, craft use and landscape use. The authors also provide a wealth of other interesting and pertinent information for the various herbs contained in this most impressive volume.
 

Tofu Quick & Easy
Louise Hagler
ISBN: 0913990507

Although only 96 pages in length, Tofu Quick & Easy contains more than 120 recipes in chapters on: “Breakfast or Brunch,” “Dips and Spreads,” “Salads and Salad Dressings,” “Soups,” “Main Dishes” and “Desserts.”

Hagler’s 14 “Breakfast or Brunch” recipes are varied consisting of such meals as quiches, pancakes, hash browns and boofers. While I have never heard of boofers, they sound great consisting of mashed potatoes, oil, an onion, tofu, parsely, salt and pepper. With each recipe Hagler provides the calories, protein, fat and carbohydrates as well as what the recipe yields.

The beginning of the book contains information on the “Care & Handling” of tofu. Hagler’s recipes will be especially appreciated by vegetarians (it is a vegetarian, not vegan, cook book as many of the recipes contain honey, margarine, cheese and other non vegan products) who don’t have a lot of time to prepare meals. According to Hagler, “The recipes in this book all take less than 30 minutes to prepare. In some cases the cooking time will take longer, but in many cases the whole recipe can be ready to eat in 15 minutes or less.”
 

Tofu Cookery
Louise Hagler
ISBN: 0913990760

Easy to follow tofu recipes and attractive colour photographs are two nice features of Louise Hagler’s Tofu Cookery. Sections on “Side Dishes,” “Breads” and “Cookies and Bars”, which are not found in many tofu cook books, make this publication both interesting and valuable.

“Introducing Tofu” and “Getting to Know Your Tofu” are two sections that contain information on such things as tofu’s origin, its uses as well as handling, measuring and marinating this healthy, versatile food. Hagler even provides information on “Making Tofu at Home.”

I must admit that when I think of dessert, tofu doesn’t cross my mind. But this might change as Hagler includes several recipes for ice cream and pudding – and they look great!

As with her book Tofu Quick & Easy Hagler includes  the calories, protein, fat and carbohydrates with each recipe as well as what the recipe makes or serves.
 

Giant Book of Tofu Cooking
K. Lee Evans & Chris Rankin
ISBN: 080692957X

The Giant Book of Tofu Cooking is a good title since the book is quite large and it is about cooking with tofu. But it is much more than that. The authors, K. Lee Evans and Chris Rankin, provide some good information about tofu - including what it is, its benefits, the different types of tofu, as well as suggestions on storing, preparing and cooking tofu. For example, the authors recommend storing tofu in its original package until it is used. Unused tofu should be stored in fresh water in a closed container. The water should be changed at least every other day - more frequently if possible. According to the authors,  tofu can be kept in the refrigerator this way for up to a week. A section on "Other Soy Products" is also informative. "Tofu and a Healthier You" describes how beneficial soy is, not only for human health, but also for the health of our planet. The authors list many of tofu's benefits including that fact that it has no cholesterol and little sodium, is "loaded" with iron, phosphorus and B-complex vitamins, and when it is made with calcium salt it is an "excellent source of absorbable calcium." The authors list many other positive attributes of tofu stating that, "Soy foods have so many health benefits that they actually blur the line between food and medicine. Finally, soy products are also healthy for our planet, improving the soil in which they grow."

The "Ingredient Glossary" provides useful information about many of the ingredients used in the recipes in the book - everything from arrowroot to wheat germ.

The more than 340 recipes makes up the majority of the book. There is a good selection of recipes for breakfast, appetizers, soups, salad, lunch, dinner and more. Many of the recipes are accompanied by a colour photograph of the prepared dish. For those of us who aren't the best of cooks, these photos can place added pressure on us as we attempt to make our prepared dish look even remotely similar to the photo in the book (you might be well advised not to show the photo to those you are cooking for - at least until you are sure your cooking attempt was a success!)

Meandering through this giant book of tofu recipes and trying those that look appealing is going to be a fun and lengthy process!

The Vegan Epicure: 135 Delicious Recipes for Healthy Eating
Hermine Freed
ISBN: 080692277X

The Vegan Epicure: 135 Delicious Recipes for Healthy Eating is an impressive collection of recipes that exclude animal products. The book, written by Hermine Freed, is divided into three sections: "About Foods," "Recipes" and "For Your Reference."

In the first section Freed looks at food and how it affects human health. Some of the subjects discussed include: meat and poultry, dairy, fats, oils, fish, pesticides, irradiated foods, organic produce, soy and vitamins.

The second part of The Vegan Epicure consists of a nice selection of recipes for such things as appetizers, salads, salad dressings, sauces, soups, stews, rice dishes, stir-fries and desserts. Each recipe includes an informative "nutritional analysis per serving" which includes calories, fat, cholesterol, carbohydrate, protein, sodium, calcium, iron and vitamin C.

The last section is a good reference for major nutrients - what they are good for and where they are found. For example, the "Good For" section of the chart for Vitamin E states, "Protects red blood cells, neurological function, anti-oxidant, immune booster" while the "Found In" section says "vegetables, whole grains, nuts". There is also a comprehensive chart of nutritional values (for many kinds of vegetables, sea vegetables, grains, fruits and nuts and oils.)

Since our family lives a vegan lifestyle, this recipe book will be used on a regular basis in our house.

Vegan Vittles: Recipes Inspired by the Critters of Farm Sanctuary
Joanne Stepaniuk
ISBN: 1570670250

Finding a good vegetarian cookbook that my wife Lynn and I are comfortable with was difficult. Locating a good book with strictly a vegan philosophy and vegan recipes was even more difficult - until recently. Vegan Vittles: Recipes Inspired by the Critters of Farm Sanctuary is packed with recipes that do not contain animals or animal products.

The beginning of Vegan Vittles contains lots of useful and interesting information on such things as Farm Sanctuary (an organization with two shelters that offers permanent sanctuary for "food animals" who have been lucky enough to escape the cruelty of the food industry), veganism and vegan nutrition. The sections on substitutes for animal products and a glossary of ingredients are very useful.

In the section "But What’s Wrong With Dairy Products & Eggs?" Joanne Stepaniak provides numerous reasons why vegetarians who are concerned with the welfare of animals should consider a vegan lifestyle. Stepaniak says what is wrong with " ‘Free-Range’ Meat," " ‘Free-Range’ Eggs" and " ‘Humane’ Milk."

The section "Eating Well, The Vegan Way," by Suzanne Havala, nutrition advisor to The Vegetarian Resource Group, addresses many of the concerns people switching to vegetarianism or veganism have. Ms. Havala provides information on: protein, calcium, iron, zinc, vitamin D, vitamin B12, "Vegan Diets and Pregnancy," "Vegan Diets for Children" as well as advice on planning meals and "Making the Switch."

While the beginning of Vegan Vittles offers insightful information on animal welfare, nutrition and veganism (Lorri Bauston, co-founder of Farm Sanctuary, wrote a section on "Vegan Kinship"), the majority of the book consists of nutritious recipes on: "Tips & Tails," "Beverages," "Breakfast & Breads," "Uncheeses, Butters & Spreads," "Hearty Soups & Stews," "Salads, Gravies & Condiments" and Happy Endings." Most of the recipes that we’ve tried have been very tasty. Amongst the recipes are photographs of some of the beautiful animals rescued by Farm Sanctuary.

Vegan: The New Ethics of Eating
Erik Marcus
ISBN: 0935526358

In his book Vegan: The New Ethics of Eating, Erik Marcus effectively addresses the benefits of a vegan diet while describing the horrendous effects an animal-based diet has on animals, the environment, world hunger and human health. Marcus packs considerable information into his 211 page book which I found similar in content and style to John Robbins’ book Diet For A New America. Since Diet For A New America was published eleven years ago, Marcus’ more recent information pertaining to the positive associations that exist between a vegan diet and the health of the planet, the health of our species and the welfare of animals is long overdue and welcome.

Even though much of the book’s contents are sobering, even a little overwhelming, Marcus conveys the important facts in an easy-to-read and entertaining manner. By profiling some of the leaders associated with the humane movement, the environment, disease prevention, diet and nutrition, along with their impressive accomplishments, Marcus provides the reader with some hope and encouragement for the future of the planet and its inhabitants.

While Vegan: The New Ethics of Eating is an excellent resource for vegans, it is more valuable in the hands of those who consume animal products. After you’ve read this important book, share it with your non-vegan friends and family members!

Mad Cowboy: Plain Truth from the Cattle Rancher Who Won’t Eat Meat
Howard F. Lyman with Glen Merzer
ISBN: 0684845164

Just as he did on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Howard F. Lyman, in his book Mad Cowboy, has taken on the meat and dairy industries reporting little known, but vital information, to the public in the process.

While I am reviewing a book I jot down points that I find particularly interesting or important. When I finished reading Mad Cowboy I had several pages of quotations including the following:

"According to a 1975 study by the Council on Environmental Quality, 95 percent of the human intake of DDT came from dairy and meat products." (pages 21, 22)

"A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that the breast milk of vegetarian women had only 1 to 2 percent of the national average of pesticide contamination." (page 22)

"Nearly all meat in America is contaminated with such man-made carcinogens as dioxins, a family of chemicals related to Agent Orange, and DDT,..." (page 21)

"We are losing precious rain forest at the rate of 2.4 acres per second." (page 123)

"More than one-third of the Earth’s land surface has been desertified to some degree by livestock grazing." (page 147)

Lyman effectively addresses the popular subjects of Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease (CJD) and recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) in the chapters "Mad Cows and Bureaucrats" and "Biotech Bullies." He also stresses the connection between the natural world we live in and how the growing and killing of cattle for food for our species threatens not only our health, but also the health of the planet. Lyman calls it as he sees it and not even environmentalists escape his critical and insightful comments. "To be an environmentalist who happens to eat meat is like being a philanthropist who doesn’t happen to give to charity." (page 122)

Mad Cowboy: Plain Truth from the Cattle Rancher Who Won’t Eat Meat will be of interest to those who are concerned about their health, animal welfare and/or the health of our planet.

Eating With Conscience: The Bioethics of Food
Dr. Michael W. Fox
ISBN: 0939165309

In Eating With Conscience: The Bioethics of Food Dr. Michael Fox addresses many of the problems associated with the cruel and inefficient ways with which animals are currently being "raised" for food and the harmful ways in which fruit and vegetables are grown. Some of the problems addressed include: factory farming, mad cow disease, corporate agribusiness, biotechnology, embryo transfer and cloning, recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) and factory fishing. Dr. Fox not only alerts us to the harm caused by modern agricultural practices, but what we, as consumers and activists, can do to ensure that the agriculture industry is humane, safe, efficient and sustainable.

The Complete Guide to Vegetarian Convenience Foods
Gail Davis
ISBN: 093916535X

While there was a time when vegetarian and vegan "convenience foods" were virtually unheard of, this is no longer the case. More and more commercially prepared foods that do not contain animals or their byproducts are now available. And to help vegans and vegetarians select the most tasty and nutritious of these foods Gail Davis has written The Complete Guide to Vegetarian Convenience Foods.

This informative book is divided up into several sections including: "dairy substitutes", "soups and canned foods", "burgers and dogs and meat analogues", "dressings, dips, sauces, and spreads to relish" and "desserts" to name a few. Most of the foods listed in Davis’ book are vegan and all of the foods are cholesterol-free. Two non-vegan products that are in some of the foods listed in the book are honey and casein - and these are identified with symbols. Other helpful symbols in the book are those listing products that are "fat free", "author’s favorite" and "kid’s pick." Now that I know that there is an abundance of vegan "convenience foods" I’m looking forward to sampling many of them!

Vegetarian Food for Thought: Quotations & Inspirations
Gail Davis
ISBN: 093916535X

I enjoy reading a book of quotations - especially when it concerns an issue or topic of particular interest. Gail Davis spent three years gathering "inspirational quotations" from vegetarians for her book Vegetarian Food for Thought: Quotations & Inspirations. Davis’ book includes quotations from vegetarians through the ages including: Pythagoras, Plato, Leonardo da Vinci, Benjamin Franklin, George Bernard Shaw, Albert Schweitzer, Fred "Mister" Rogers, Paul McCartney and Berkeley Breathed.

A few of the many quotations which caught my eye as I leafed through the pages of this book are:

"People try to hide the fact that they are actually eating something that had a face and a heart, someone who had a soul." - Paul McCartney

 "To my mind, the life of a lamb is no less precious than that of a human being. I should be unwilling to take the life of a lamb for the sake of the human body." - Mahatma Gandhi

Vegetarian Food for Thought: Quotations & Inspirations is deserving of a spot on any vegetarian’s book shelf. And for those non-vegetarians who have yet to see the light, it would make a nice gift.
 

Munchie Madness: Vegetarian Meals for Teens Dorothy R. Bates, Bobbie Hinman, Robert Oser Nutritional information by Suzanne Havala ISBN: 157067115X Munchie Madness: Vegetarian Meals for Teens is an informative resource book for teenagers (and everyone else) who want to live a compassionate, healthy lifestyle. Teenagers will relate to the main part of the book as it contains tasty, nutritious recipes that are easily prepared. Most of the recipes are vegan and each contains the number of servings that the recipe makes as well as the calories, protein, fat and carbohydrates for each serving. Recipes are divided into the following sections: “Smoothies & Shakes,” “Breakfast,” “Salads, Dressings, Spreads, & Dips,” “Soups,” “Main Dishes” and “Cakes, Pies, Candies, Pudding.” Laura Holzapfel offers an insightful message at the beginning of the book in “Notes from a Vegetarian Teen” and Suzanne Havala, who is a vegetarian, author and consultant on food and nutrition, provides important information for teenagers (and their parents) in “Vegetarian Nutrition: A Primer for Teens.” Havala effectively covers such topics as protein, calcium, iron, vitamin C, vitamin B12 and fats – to name a few. Whether you are a vegetarian teenager looking for some delicious, easy-to-make recipes, a parent wanting nutritious meals for your vegetarian child or a vegetarian looking for a good recipe book, Munchie Madness will not disappoint.

The Teen’s Vegetarian Cookbook Judy Krizmanic ISBN: 0140385061 Getting teenagers to eat healthy meals isn’t always easy and vegetarian teens are no exception. The Teen’s Vegetarian Cookbook by Judy Krizmanic provides a good selection of nutritious recipes that will appeal to vegetarian teenagers – as well as those whose teenage years are behind them. Besides offering a variety of recipes in sections typically found in most vegetarian recipe books, Krizmanic also includes useful chapters on “Easy Pasta Dishes” and “College Cuisine.”  “The How-To-Get-Your-Nutrients Substitution Chart” and calcium and iron sources listed are informative and helpful as is a “Glossary of Basic Cooking Terms and Unusual Foods.” An icon pointing out those recipes that are easy to make is also useful.

Many children are kind to dogs and cats. Unfortunately, this compassionate attitude isn’t always extended to wild animals or those which much of society callously regards as “food animals.” Many children (and some adults) who are usually caring and thoughtful don’t think (or don’t want to think) about where their burger or bacon and egg meal came from. Some people mistakenly think, or are wrongly led to believe, that animals raised for society’s unhealthy and cruel diet live carefree, enjoyable lives free from any hardships until they are quickly and humanely killed for food.

Saving Emily is a wonderful novel for children aged 9 and up. In telling the stories of Emily, a heifer, Chris, a 12-year-old boy and Gina, his friend, Nicholas Read not only provides an interesting and enjoyable story, he also effectively informs the reader of the cruel existence that cows and bulls must endure until they are killed.

While Saving Emily is an interesting story and provides valuable insight into the business of growing and killing animals for food, it also deals with the important and common issue of dealing with, and overcoming, difficult childhood experiences. Chris has to move from the city, where his friends and school are, to the country. Chris’ parents are divorced and his mother has married someone who lives in a small town. Gina is different from the other children in her school. She is a vegetarian and she helps out at the Rescue Ranch where dogs, horses and cows who have been saved are cared for. Her love for, and attitude towards, animals doesn’t sit well with the other students in the ranching community.

Finally, Saving Emily provides the vital message that the efforts of a few can result in positive changes making an often hostile and cruel world a little kinder. Children who like animals will enjoy this book. Children who aren’t as caring toward animals should read it!

Herb, The Vegetarian Dragon
Jules Bass, Illustrated by Debbie Harter
ISBN: 1902283368
(Ages 4-8)

Tired of having their castle raided and their people eaten by the dragons of the forest Nogard, the knights of Castle Dark decide to capture and then kill all of the dragons.

Herb is the only dragon who is not a meat eater. Herb is a vegetarian. He tends his vegetable garden where he is watched by Nicole, a little girl. Unfortunately, Herb is captured by the knights. While Herb awaits his execution he is visited by the leader of the dragons who said that the dragons would save Herb if he ate a piece of meat. While Herb does not want to be killed, he sticks to his morals and beliefs and declines the meat.

Fortunately for the dragons, knights and other people, Nicole rescues Herb who, in turn, brings peace to the forest of Nogard. It takes someone living a gentle, compassionate lifestyle to bring peace to the land.

Herb, The Vegetarian Dragon contains several messages including the importance of sticking to your principles and being kind to, and tolerant of, others.

Fun, colourful illustrations complement the entertaining and insightful text.
 

Cooking With Herb the Vegetarian Dragon: A Cookbook for Kids Jules Bass  Illustrated by Debbie Harter ISBN: 184148041X (Ages 4 and up) Herb, the Vegetarian Dragon has published a book of recipes for children! Cooking With Herb the Vegetarian Dragon: A Cookbook for Kids is an entertaining book containing 22 recipes that children can make – with the help or supervision of grown-ups. This book is a nice companion to Herb, The Vegetarian Dragon.  In this book Herb serves up various, nutritious dishes including “Grand-Ma-Ma-Flora’s Spaghetti Sandwich,” “Herb’s Chili Con ‘No’ Carne,” “Herb’s ‘Those Amazing Potatoes,’” “The King’s Favourite Veggie-Burger,” “Herb’s Radical Dragon-Salsa,” “Chocolate Banana Walnut Bread” and “Herb’s Simple Strawberry Slush.” Each recipe contains easy-to-follow directions and tips as well as a fun introduction about the recipe. Some safety rules are also included at the beginning of the book. While the recipes contained in this book are for vegetarians, several of the recipes contain no ingredients from animals and many other recipes could be easily modified for a vegan diet.

‘Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving Story and illustrations by Dav Pilkey ISBN: 0531059057 (Ages 2-6) ‘Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving is a fun story told in a style similar to ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. However, in this story eight children on a school field trip rescue the turkeys Ollie, Stanley, Larry, Moe, Wally, Beaver, Shemp and Groucho from Farmer Mack Nuggett just before they were “...chopped up and roasted for Thanksgiving feasts.” Filled with bright, humourous illustrations, this book not only holds a child’s attention, it also delivers a wise and caring message.

Victor, The Vegetarian: Saving the Little Lambs Radha Vignola  Illustrated by Julia Bauer ISBN: 0964039427 (Ages 3-7) Victor, The Vegetarian: Saving the Little Lambs is a simple story with an important message. Victor is a young boy who lives with his parents on their farm set amongst the woods. When Victor overhears his father talk about killing the lambs on the farm so they can have lamb chops, Victor takes his lamb friends, Marigold and Buttercup, into the woods where they become lost. When they are finally found, Victor’s parents decide not to kill the lambs. Not only are the lambs saved, but Victor realizes that he doesn’t want to eat any other animals either. “’What about all the meat we eat?’ he asked his parents. ‘I’d love all those animals if I knew them. I don’t want to eat cows or pigs or chickens either!’” Victor has become a vegetarian! Victor, The Vegetarian: Saving the Little Lambs will appeal to children and will make vegetarian children feel good about their compassionate diet.

Victor’s Picnic With the Vegetarian Animals Radha Vignola  Illustrated by Michelle N. Ary ISBN: 0964039478 (Ages 3-7) Not wanting to hurt animals, Victor, a young boy, becomes a vegetarian. To ensure that he is eating a healthy diet, Victor goes to the library to get some books about what types of food he should eat. On his way home Victor stops to read the books and he begins to daydream. In his dream Victor is invited to a vegetarian picnic by a deer. The deer teaches Victor the difference between carnivores and vegetarians including the difference in their teeth, jaws, claws and fingernails.. At the picnic Victor shares the food of animals who do not eat meat. Rabbits share their vegetables, a giraffe offers some of her green leaves, cows share their soybeans, horses give Victor some oats, a gorilla provides some bananas, chipmunks offer some nuts, an elephant shares some peanuts and some mice hand Victor some of their seeds. When Victor wakes up he goes home and tells his parents about his dream and that he has learned what he needs to eat. Victor’s Picnic With the Vegetarian Animals not only points out some of the differences between animals who eat meat and animals who consume plants, but also the types of food that vegetarians consume including: vegetables, beans, grains, fruits, nuts and seeds. Written by Radha Vignola, a nutrition consultant, nutrition educator, diet counselor and vegetarian, this book will appeal to children who like animals and parents who have vegetarian children.

Cows Are Vegetarians! A book for vegetarian kids
 Ann Bradley. Illustrated by Elise Huffman. Cover art by Stephen Kramer
 ISBN: 0963089307

Cows Are Vegetarians! A book for vegetarian kids describes in simple terms that children can understand why it is important to be a vegetarian. By explaining how vegetarianism is good for animals, the environment and people, Ann Bradley shows children that being vegetarian is not only acceptable - it’s wonderful!
 

A Turkey For Thanksgiving
Eve Bunting. Illustrated by Diane de Groat.
ISBN: 0899197930

When selecting books for our children I try to pick stories that will hold their attention, that provide an important message and that involve animals and/or nature. Eve Bunting’s book A Turkey For Thanksgiving has all of these criteria - and more! It is also a good book for children who are vegetarians or vegans.

In A Turkey For Thanksgiving Mrs. Moose is preparing a thanksgiving dinner for her and Mr. Moose’s animal friends. However, this thanksgiving she has decided that she wants a turkey for dinner so Mr. Moose, joined by his friends, sets off to find one.

Eventually a turkey is found by the river and brought back for thanksgiving dinner. The terrified turkey is delighted, and relieved, to learn that he isn’t the main course, but a guest at this vegetarian feast! This delightful book evokes the true spirit of thanksgiving.
 

Chicken Run Story by Peter Lord & Nick Park, Adapted by Lawrence David ISBN: 0525464204 Ages 5-9 This fun book adapted from the movie of the same name pits Ginger, who is the leader of the chickens, against Mr. and Mrs. Tweedy, owners of the farm. Ginger has been trying to help her chicken friends escape from the Tweedy’s farm – and for good reason! Chickens who stop laying eggs are killed. Chicken Run is an entertaining adventure that young readers will enjoy. It also provides children with a glimpse of some of the cruel realities animals reared for food experience.