Lucas and Emily’s Foodbank Adventure by Dave Grunenwald (Author) and Bonnie Lemaire (Illustrator)

This review first appeared on Reader Views. Read the Reader Views version here.

In Lucas and Emily’s Foodbank Adventure, Lucas’ grandpa introduces Lucas and his friends Emily and Jack to important ideas regarding food insecurity and homelessness. Lucas’ grandpa, after talking to Lucas about his friend Tommy, who did not have a lunch at school that day, takes Lucas, Emily, and Jack to people who make, pack, and hand out lunches to people experiencing homelessness, as well as to food banks, both large and small. Throughout their tours, Lucas, his grandpa, and his friends learn the importance and joy of volunteering.

Lucas and Emily’s Foodbank Adventure by Dave Grunenwald is an accessible way to explain some big ideas around access to life essentials to kids aged 5 to 10. Grunenwald clearly delves into very sad topics in a way that is understandable to younger readers. While not overburdening the young readers, Grunenwald is sure to elaborate on how some people need extra help to get by. Grunenwald’s story is also sure to inspire readers, young and old, to want to volunteer and make a difference in their communities.

Bonnie Lemaire’s illustrations helpfully demonstrate reality versus perception. When Lucas, Emily, and Jack are told they’re going to meet the “Sandwich People,” Lemaire’s illustrations show that the kids are thinking of giant anthropomorphized sandwiches as opposed to volunteers who make, pack, and hand out sandwiches. This is important because it helps young readers explore their own ideas of what certain terms mean and not feel silly when their imagination is not reality. I was most impressed with Lemaire’s illustration of a wall of food at a larger food bank. The angle at which it was drawn really demonstrates how immense such a wall would feel, especially for kids.

Lucas and Emily’s Foodbank Adventure is an important teaching tool crafted by Grunenwald. Lucas and Emily’s Foodbank Adventure explores important topics in an accessible and solution-oriented manner, which will surely encourage volunteerism in readers, both young and old. Lemaire’s illustrations deftly show what things seem and feel like to kids, even when those imaginings are inaccurate to reality. Overall, Lucas and Emily’s Foodbank Adventure by Dave Grunenwald will be best used to teach kids aged 5 to 10 about food insecurity and the importance of volunteering.

Lucas and Emily’s Foodbank Adventure by Dave Grunenwald (Author) and Bonnie Lemaire (Illustrator), Halo Publishing International