Can I Play with my Food? by Ali Manning {Children's Book Review}

Can I Play with my Food? brings food, fun, and science together! Read on to learn more about this early-reader picture book!

Disclosure: I received a complimentary book copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are 100% my own unless otherwise noted.

Can I Play with my Food? is an early-reader picture book that explores food and science through the eyes of two sisters. Nema and Lexi let their imaginations run wild as they discover where food comes from and how a simple experiment can shape their dreams.

This story shows children that playing with food can be fun, but it also highlights the importance of acceptance. While others might think a disability like Down’s Syndrome is a hindrance, Nema and Lexi show us that the ingredients of compassion, acceptance, and love make anything possible.

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This was a cute, quick read, with bright illustrations. It wasn’t exactly what I was expecting with a title of Can I Play With My Food but it is definitely an opening into getting kids more interested in cooking/baking, science, and even math when you think about it!

The characters take a look where food comes from and at school, during science, they use food to create an experiment; thus, “playing” with their food.

Upon returning home, the characters bake cookies – more science! (Mixing ingredients plus cooking makes cookies!) (As an added bonus, mixing the proper amount of ingredients is a great math lesson!)

I’ll tell you what, if my math and science were based around baking and cooking, I would have paid a lot more attention in school and studies!

I look forward to sharing this book with my 9 year old and seeing what kind of “play” she can come up with!

About the Author

Ali Manning is a food scientist and the owner of Umami Food Consulting. With over ten years in the food industry, she utilizes her passion for food, science, and community to help food entrepreneurs. Ali is also the founder of Food Science 4 Kids, a program that teaches grade-school children STEM-related topics. Aside from her day-to-day businesses, she’s an all-around creative that loves to skate, travel, eat and enjoy life with her husband, Brian Manning. Find out more about Ali at ali-manning.com