I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato (Charlie and Lola)
I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato (Charlie and Lola) book cover

I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato (Charlie and Lola)

Paperback – Picture Book, September 15, 2003

Price
$8.99
Format
Paperback
Pages
32
Publisher
Candlewick
Publication Date
ISBN-13
978-0763621803
Dimensions
10 x 0.18 x 10.95 inches
Weight
0.019 ounces

Description

Apt not to be satiated with one serving of this appetizing fare, youngsters will never—not ever—pass up a second helping.—Publishers WeeklyThe illustrations . . . are wildly patterned mixed-media collages, including vegetable photographs, and very funny indeed.—New York Times Book Review, The. . . [E]ven younger readers who find Lola's stance perfectly reasonable will join her in this engagingly playful head game.—Kirkus ReviewsThis funny, endearing look at how children's tastes can be based more on preconception than taste buds is sure to infuse levity into the daily dinner-table struggle. The author's dedication? 'With love from Lauren/who is keen on Marmite/but would rather not eat a raisin.'—Amazon.comThe illustrations are done in a funky, mixed-media style with photographs, bits of wallpaper and fabric and sketchy drawings...regrettably, though my kids loved the book, they did not fall for Charlie's methods when I tried them.—Miami HeraldThe illustrations resemble a child's cut-and-paste collage and the text often dances across the pages in a variety of fonts. Even finicky youngsters will enjoy this tasty treat.—School Library Journal Lauren Child is the daughter of two teachers. She went to two art schools, worked as an assistant to the artist Damien Hirst, and designed an offbeat line of lampshades before beginning a career in children’s books. Lauren lives in London, where she is a manic collector of Barbie doll mermaids and Star Wars memorabilia.

Features & Highlights

  • "Youngsters will never — not ever — pass up a second helping." —
  • Publishers Weekly
  • Lola is a fussy eater. A very fussy eater. She won’t eat her carrots (until her brother Charlie reveals that they’re orange twiglets from Jupiter). She won’t eat her mashed potatoes (until Charlie explains that they’re cloud fluff from the pointiest peak of Mount Fuji). There are many things Lola won’t eat, including — and especially —tomatoes. Or will she? Two endearing siblings star in a witty story about the triumph of imagination over proclivity.

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
60%
(533)
★★★★
25%
(222)
★★★
15%
(133)
★★
7%
(62)
-7%
(-61)

Most Helpful Reviews

✓ Verified Purchase

Cute

I was looking for a book to help with my progressively picky eater. This wasn't that book. But it was still very cute and fun. My son and I both enjoyed it so it was still a keeper. Only dinged it a star because I was hoping for more of a clear lesson on trying new foods. There is certainly a message on trying foods but it'll probably fly over the heads of any kid under 7 and I most people seeking out a book for this purpose are probably trying to stop a habit before it starts (2-4).
8 people found this helpful
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Motivated as intended

I purchased 3 picky eater books in hopes of obtaining positive motivation for a 9 year old carb and McDonald's addicted grandson. I've had him read the books to me, one per visit. This is the 3rd book he read. Charlie is older brother to Lola and he's put in charge to prepare her meal and see that she eats it. Lola is on a roll telling Charlie what she will not eat. Charlie has a creative mind, a great sense of humor, and takes his responsibility seriously. Lola refuses to eat any of her noted dislikes until Charlie corrects her idea that any is ordinary as he provides the proper other planet names for each food. The book did have a positive effect and reading the 3 has resulted in a significant improvement in his acceptance and evaluation of food.
8 people found this helpful
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Great book, fun illustrations.

Our picky 5 year old loves this book. We were a little shocked that it actually convinced him to try some foods that he otherwise wouldn’t have touched with a 10 foot pole. Cute story, fun illustrations. As part of a literacy workshop/story time for pre-K and younger, it was a hit.
3 people found this helpful
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Imaginative, engaging

As the other reviewers say, the illustrations are wonderful with a collage of food photos and whimsical drawings. The story really drew my daughter in--she is a picky 4-year old who is not only difficult with food, but also stubborn and smart and has picked up on other attempts on my part to address the issue via books or play. This book actually captivated her (she asks for it every night), I guess because of the fantasy and imagination used by the characters around the issue of picky eating.
3 people found this helpful
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Cloud Fluff Anyone?

We purchased this book for our 3 year old after enjoying "I am not tired and will not go to bed." We have enjoyed reading this book as much and it has an added perk....our very "fussy eater" now eats cloud fluff and green drops. It was as easy as making a reference to the book one night at supper and all of the sudden he ate a whole bowl of cloud fluff and some green drops (he also tried some orange twiglets!) The Charlie and Lola books are very imaginative and fun to read. I highly recommend purchasing them.
3 people found this helpful
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MUST HAVE for picky eaters

My 7 year old is on the Autism spectrum and has always struggled with a limited diet and trying new foods. He has been in feeding therapy for months (they use the Kay Toom SOS approach). The Occupational Therapist that runs the group has read this to the kids many times, so we bought it to carry over therapy at home. This has really helped him explore more foods as he has a fun story to go along with the experience of new foods.
2 people found this helpful
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Fun Book with Good Message

Our 5 year old picky eater asks that we read this book more than any other. She especially loves when her dad reads it in his Christopher Walkin voice. :) I'm not sure if it's done much to help with her fear of new foods, but I love the message of trying new things and that new foods can be fun.
2 people found this helpful
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Adorable story!

Such a cute story. Charlie renames veggies and fruits for his sister. Carrots are "orange twiglets from Jupiter", peas are "green drops from Greenland" and so on. Then she'll eat them.
2 people found this helpful
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Creative fun for picky eaters

Like so many real-life little ones, Lola has a long list of foods she absolutely won't eat. Brother Charlie finds a creative way to get her to try new things by reassuring her that they're not on her "no" list: Carrots? No, these are orange twiglets from Jupiter! Mashed potatoes? No, it's cloud fluff from the pointiest peak of Mount Fuji! Sadly, the trick doesn't work at all for our own picky eater, but it does make for a cute and charming book. Lauren Child has a special way of putting things into language that feels just right for little kids, and this is our very favorite of the Charlie and Lola series. Highly recommended.
2 people found this helpful
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Five Stars

Great book with a great story to it!
1 people found this helpful