Worms for Breakfast

Worms for Breakfast: How to feed a zoo

by Helaine Becker; illustrated by Kathy Boake

40 pages; ages 7-10

 Owlkids Books, 2016

It’s feeding time at the zoo, and You’re in charge! What do you feed the hungry hippos and elephants, monkeys and otters? If you don't know, that's OK because there's probably a recipe book somewhere in the kitchen. 

If you're not cooking for a zoo, don't worry - there are plenty of recipes inside the pages of this book Starting with the first page: “Platypus Party Mix”. All you need are crayfish, earthworms, mealworms, and fly pupae. All live, of course.

This book is a ticket to a different sort of zoo tour. Not only do you meet animals, but you learn about animal nutrition, how to feed a zoo baby, and more than you probably want to know about the eating habits of a diversity of animals. Plus there are the recipes - collected from zoos around the world. They include such delicacies as eucalyptus-leaf pesto, kelp tank goulash, and snail trail mix! And if you're thinking, "gee, I'd like a job like that," there are a whole bunch of interviews with zoo nutritionists.

Review copy from publisher.