**Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.
When my daughter was younger, I had quite the time inspiring her to try new foods! I remember our doctor saying that it could take up to 30 times of introducing a food for the child to actually try it. Wow! I certainly would have loved a book like Waffle Likes Falafel to motivate my daughter to at least nibble a tiny little bit of new foods! Fortunately for moms today, award winning Chicago area author and foodie Carrie Steinweg has written a whimsical book charming children into being at least a tad more adventurous when eating. Take a moment to learn a little about this adorable read with me:
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| Waffle is unsure about the selection of foods before him in Waffle Likes Falafel by Carrie Steinweg. Illustration by Nicolas Peruzzo. |
Waffle is Carrie's adorable furry pal and sidekick! Waffle turns his nose up to a virtual buffet of food presented to him ....... until he is presented with falafel! With a fondness for falafel myself, I have to agree with Waffle's choice! You and your children will have quite an amusing time following Waffle as he encounters food after food wondering, "Will Waffle ever try anything?" I certainly did!
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| What did Waffle eat in Waffle Likes Falafel by Carrie Steinweg? Illustration by Nicolas Peruzzo. |
With adorable illustrations by Nicolas Peruzzo, Waffle Likes Falafel is sure to be a favorite childhood book! A melodic story full of rhymes, Waffle Likes Falafel easily makes you smile while inspiring trying new things. After reading Waffle Likes Falafel, I asked author Carrie Steinweg a few more questions about the book. Enjoy a little more about this charming little tale:
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| Author Carrie Steinweg at New Year's celebration at the Children's Museum in Oak Lawn. Image credit Carrie Steinweg. |
I was inspired to write this story by my niece and nephew, who are picky eaters. I hoped the story would encourage them to try more new foods. At the time I was babysitting one day a week for Eli, then 5, and Ari, then 3. Mealtimes were challenging because there weren't a lot of foods they would eat and it was hard to get them to try new things. They are slowly broadening their foodie horizons and trying new things here and there. But, thankfully what they do eat is healthy stuff - they love fresh fruit and veggies and Ari loves to dip things.
Does Waffle help your write?
I used my own dog, Waffle, as the character for the book. In reality, Waffle is much different than the dog in the book. In real life, Waffle is not a picky eater at all. He eats almost anything. His favorite snacks are apples, carrots, popcorn and bacon. He also is a master at catching things in his mouth. I toss him food and it almost never hits the ground. He always sits nearby when I eat because he knows that I always save him the last bite. :) He's a great buddy to hang out with. My middle son picked out the name Waffle when we got our doggie when my son was 3 years old.
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| Carrie Steinweg is the author three -- soon to be four -- children's books! Image credit Carrie Steinweg. |
In addition to enjoying nibbling from your eats, does Waffle like to go on any adventures with you?
Waffle is 14 now, so he's not very active anymore. He is content to snuggle up on his doggie bed near my computer while I work.
What is your favorite part of the book writing process?
My favorite part of the book writing process is just starting with a blank slate and creating a story. I especially love to make my children's stories rhyme. I just sent off a manuscript for a fourth children's book to my publisher. It's got a Valentine's theme. I am not sure if it will be released in time for Valentine's Day, but should be available next spring or early summer.
Thank you, Carrie, for sharing Waffle Likes Falafel with us!
Waffle Likes Falafel is a great gift idea for the kiddos and a fantastic way to support a local author! Waffle Likes Falafel is available via Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Carrie Steinweg won Third Place in the Illinois Women's Press Association 2020 Mate E. Palmer Communications Contest for Waffle Likes Falafel. Carrie Steinweg also writes for a number of publications including the Northwest Indiana Times and her blogs Chicago Foodie Sisters, Midwest Family Traveler and Adventures in Motherhood.
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