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You guys! I cannot describe how exciting it is to announce this!!
About two weeks ago, I published my first book! This project has been a labor of love, and I can’t wait to share it with you.
The Inspiration
As a mom, wife, and registered dietitian, I know how important introducing healthy eating habits early is. But even more than that, as a dietitian who has worked with individuals suffering from eating disorders, I know that it is more important to treat food in a way that does not pressure them or moralize food choices and body shape.
My daughter LOVES to color, and I thought this would be a good way for her to interact with fruits and vegetables without them showing up on her plate.
The silly faces are perfect for her. And I even ran images by her if I couldn’t decide which one to choose. She’s credited as my little consultant!
Features of the Toddler Coloring Pages
My fruits and vegetables coloring book for toddlers was specifically designed to encourage small children to interact with healthful foods in a non-threatening manner.
Each page has a fruit or a vegetable, some commonplace, some not so much, with a fun, silly face.
The drawings are simple, with no background, so it is easy for young minds to express their creativity. They are perfect for tiny hands that are developing fine motor skills.
The images are only printed on one side, so you can tear them out and display them. Or, use the space to encourage them to draw their own picture!
But what really separates this coloring book from others is the parent’s guide in the back. This 5-page guide is loaded with tips and considerations on raising children free from body image disturbances and disordered eating thoughts and behaviors.
In it, I give tips on how to introduce new foods without unfair pressure and fighting. Consider offering a fruit or vegetable that seemed particularly interesting to them in the coloring pages.
But beyond that, I share how to give compliments, sample affirmations, and other activities that encourage your young child to feel good in their body. There is no body or food shaming here!
Why You’ll Love It
Beyond keeping little fingers busy while you get something done, this book gives you the perfect opportunity to stretch their imaginations.
And then gives you the opportunity to learn how to talk about food and bodies in a positive, non-harmful way.
On occasion, interact with the book while your child is using it. Have them devise their own ideas for silly faces or short stories and add them to the blank page. Ask them how they think the different foods will taste and who in the family would like them.
Where to Buy
Fun Fruits and Vegetables: Coloring Pages for Toddlers is available on Amazon! That’s probably the easiest way to get it, and it’s available through Prime.
However, if you’d prefer, you can also buy the book directly from the publisher.
I’d love to hear your thoughts! Please leave a comment below and share how you’re using the book with your toddlers.
Jennifer Hanes MS, RDN, LD is a registered dietitian, mom, wife, and vegetarian in North Texas. She has dedicated Dietitian Jenn to be a source of information, ideas, and inspiration for people like her, vegetarians that live with people with different dietary beliefs and/or needs in a multivore household.