Teddy Loves Spaghetti is a charming book that explores pet nutrition by highlighting the differences in the eating habits of cats versus humans. Surprisingly, there hasn’t been a book like this before, at least in this format. Though Teddy is a cat, Krauss used him as the impetus to introduce the topic and broaden the conversation to include other animals and even humans. She used humor to soften the harsher aspects of poor nutrition and helped identify various eaters’ classifications.
Krauss succinctly approached the downfalls of not following proper nutrition and, to her credit, didn’t shy away from including disease, namely diabetes. In America, diabetes is more and more prevalent than ever with the continued rise of obesity. By acknowledging this affliction, Krauss created a space to educate and converse with the target age group about this disease. Her inclusion of continuous glucose monitors will undoubtedly enlighten young readers on something commonly seen in society, even with children. I am confident children have questioned an adult about these monitors.
Picture books have two elements that must complement each other to be considered successful: the story and the illustrations. When the imagery matches the story, the reader can become more immersed. This union carries a transportive quality that is essential to awakening the reader’s imagination, connection to the story and its characters, and desire to return for more. Cierra Van Nes was the perfect illustrator for Krauss’ story. Her depictions were endearing and reflective of the simplicity of the story. She admirably captured the essence of Teddy and the world he inhabits. Van Nes’ artwork will undoubtedly delight young readers who relate to Teddy and his expressions. Perhaps the one downfall would be the many pet requests that would follow.
The one challenge of this book is the level of pedagogic language. While appealing, this book is meant to educate the reader on an important topic. In so doing, some of the vocabulary used is, and should be, complex. Young readers are more advanced than many give them credit for, and I believe a more demanding vocabulary is how they learn. To her credit, Krauss amiably broke down the definitions for these terms so the reader could assimilate them. She saluted the readers’ intellect and didn’t simplify her language, which was a conscious choice, as this choice broadened the target age group. This can be a double-edged sword, but I believe Krauss successfully walked that line between elevating younger minds and recognizing older readers’ brainpower.
This charming book addresses an important life choice to the perfect audience. As we all know, children are sponges, and books like these are instrumental in teaching young minds fundamentals that, if reinforced, can influence the people they become. On the surface, Teddy Loves Spaghetti speaks to animal nutrition, but the base level is a discourse on choice and consequences regarding nutrition for all living beings. The unpretentiousness of the story and illustrations disguised a multilayered plot that is deeper than a dish of spaghetti. Its engaging format invites further conversation, which is the ultimate goal for any writer. Teddy Loves Spaghetti is not just a story of a cat but a tale that carries more impact than catnip.
Pros:
- Informative
- Charming Illustrations
- Relatable teaching point as basis of plot
Cons:
- Can be interpreted as a lecture
Scribble's Worth 