Book Review of The Exquisite Feast
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The Children’s Book Review
What to Expect: Siblings, Adventure, Cooperation, Animals, Food, Emotional intelligence.
Humorous and wise, this picture book builds literacy skills for readers transitioning from picture books to longer texts while offering gentle instruction in social skills, empathy, and teamwork.
Ali, Elise, and Ren dream of having the ultimate feast, but their inability to work together often causes trouble as the raccoon siblings attempt to raid the human campground they share their forest with. Ali is cautious and likes to plan, but her unwillingness to take risks leaves the impetuous and restless Elise feeling frustrated. Ren has skills and good ideas, but his fighting sisters rarely notice or include him. Ultimately, it takes a willingness to compromise—and some good advice from grandma—for the siblings to learn to hear and appreciate one another. And when they do, they have the most exquisite feast of their lives!
The three raccoon siblings are endearingly cute, with diverse personalities sure to resonate with young readers with their own siblings. In addition to modelling communication and listening skills for readers, the story is filled with humor as the raccoon’s point of view disregards the priorities of the human campers they contend with. Artwork filled with rich colors and lots of movement invites readers to view the natural world as magical and welcoming, underscoring the humor of the raccoons’ raiding. Reflection questions at the end of the story help reinforce the social-emotional learning of the story, making this a great resource for counsellors and teachers, as well as for home reading.
Sweet, funny, and instructive, The Exquisite Feast is a book that is sure to captivate and become a favorite wherever it is read.
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About the Author
Jenelle Harden is a licensed clinical social worker who has spent more than 15 years supporting children and adolescents in discovering and appreciating their unique strengths. She is passionate about a child’s right to develop a healthy emotional foundation and self-esteem through free play, risk-taking, and connection to nature. Jenelle lives in Chicago with her husband and daughter, with whom she loves camping and enjoying the beauty of nature.
For more information, visit exquisitefeast.com.
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