Lulu and the Hunger Monster (Tm)

Description

“In this story illustrating the reality of childhood hunger and food insecurity, Lulu invites kids into her world to help them understand what it's like to battle the Hunger Monster. Lulu and the Hunger Monster delivers the right message at the right time, helping readers recognize the problem of childhood hunger and moving them to find solutions.” — Jeff Bridges, actor and anti-hunger advocate When Lulu’s mother’s van breaks down, money for food becomes tight and the Hunger Monster comes into their lives. Only visible to Lulu, Hunger Monster is a troublemaker who makes it hard for her to concentrate in school. How will Lulu help her mom and defeat the Monster when Lulu has promised never to speak the monster’s name to anyone? This realistic—and hopeful—story of food insecurity builds awareness of the issue of childhood hunger, increases empathy for people who are food insecure, and demonstrates how anyone can help end hunger. Lulu and the Hunger Monster™ empowers children to destigmatize the issue of hunger before the feeling turns into shame. The author combines years of experience fighting hunger as a food bank CEO with an MFA in writing for young children to craft an honest story of how poverty and food insecurity can affect adults and their children. Lulu’s story addresses the effects of hunger on learning and can be used in group settings to address social justice issues in an accessible and encouraging way. Lulu and the Hunger Monster has been awarded the International Literacy Association’s 2021 Social Justice Literature Award and a 2020 Foreword INDIES Honorable Mention, Picture Books, Early Reader (Children's). Review: Fantastic Book/Resource for All - This story illustrates the way that financial strain and hunger burrow into the minds of children. The main character Lulu is instantly charming and sympathetic, representing an all too common and quiet struggle. Using lovely imagery by Sheryl Murray and clear language by Erik Talkin, we follow her on a nuanced journey of the cycle of shame, frustration and confusion young children deal with at home and school. Without dipping into the saccharine or melodramatic, Lulu's story is incredibly effective in showing warning signs that might not be too obvious, ways to ask/give help to those struggling, and outlets for families to get back on their feet. The relationship between Lulu and her best friend Ava was especially a stand out for me - we could all use a friend like Ava. As an educator to 5th grade students in a low income area as well as a nanny to an extremely privileged family, this is a book that feels important for all children, educators and parents. The information given in the last few pages regarding food banks and ways everyone can fight the Hunger Monster was helpful, clear and heartfelt. I can’t recommend this book enough! Review: A must-have for any school classroom - “Lulu and the Hunger Monster” is a story about the realities of food insecurity from a child’s perspective. The child Lulu’s hunger is made manifest as a literal monster trailing around behind her, as a constant burden she must bear. The hungrier she is, the larger the monster becomes. The monster Lulu imagines is how her kid-brain is coping with her anxiety. By giving her anxiety a physical form, it provides an access point for children to understand, and empathize with her plight. I’ve worked in schools in communities affected by these issues, I would be comfortable using this book as a resource to discuss these complicated issues. I would definitely recommend this book to parents and educators as a soft-introduction to use in a discussion about food insecurity with their children. It seeks to explain a complex and sometimes scary issue to a child who may have no awareness that in some families, food is in short supply.