Tummy Talks: A Small Lesson in Food

Renée B. Meloche is an instructional consultant with the Halton Board
of Education.

Four-year-old Jacob has decided that today is a
chocolate-cake-for-breakfast day. Toast and orange juice are not what
Jacob’s tummy is hungry for, so he refuses to eat. As he dresses for
Grandma’s, he registers his annoyance by donning black jeans with
holes, a catsup-stained sweater, and two different-colored socks. Then
his tummy growls, a baby lion growl. When he arrives at Grandma’s, his
tummy growls a double-loud two-lion roar. But still no chocolate cake.
For lunch, Grandma and Jacob make a vegetable soup together. What
wonderful smells coming from the pot! Finally, Jacob asks Grandma if
it’s time for lunch—an early lunch, but one that quiets his noisy
tummy.

Children and adults alike will relate to this simple, convincing story.
Detailed sketches add to the boy’s enjoyment. Recommended.