Some may consider this an attempt to indoctrinate the young, but in truth it’s a courageous stab at a serious topic inherently hinted at through the anthropomorphizing of animals so prevalent in children’s books. By contrasting animal behavior in the wild with that of their counterparts in farms or factories, Roth makes a stark case that by harvesting sentient beings we are stripping them of their rights and natural desires. For example, wild turkeys “fly to the treetops to roost for the night,” but factory-farm turkeys are simply fattened until their wings become useless. Roth uses her own illustrations rather than photos, but she wisely does not make her animals too cute. Be warned: her depictions of poultry confined within filthy cages, while abstract, are fairly disturbing. Inevitably this will book incense those on the other side of the issue but there is much to be learned here (about animal behavior if nothing else). A unique effort that is to be applauded. Grades 3-6. --Daniel Kraus
Review
"This is a powerful and important book. Farm animals have emotionssimilar to our pets and this is conveyed in Roth's enchantingillustrations. It will make children--and their parents--think. But itwill not lead to nightmares, rather respect and compassion for thecreatures whose wellbeing is in our hands."
--Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace
"A refreshing, sympathetic, and attractive book that children are smartenough to understand, embrace and grow up a little by reading."
--Ingrid Newkirk, founder, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
"Ruby Roth has done us all a great service. If your children are vegetarians, or have friends who are, or are simply interested in why people mightbe vegetarians, this is the book for them!"
--John Robbins, bestselling author of The Food Revolution, Diet For A New America
"Where adults are more firmly entrenched in their ways, children need only the slightest insights and guidance, and off they soar into the directionof a more conscious and kind way of living. This book will help tocreate the much needed healers and leaders of tomorrow. "
--Kathy Freston, NY Times bestselling author of Quantum Wellness
"Like many people, I knew as a child that I didn't want to eat animals.That's Why We Don't Eat Animals would have offered me the guidance andinspiration I needed to understand those instincts. This book is amust-have for anyone who loves animals."
--Alicia Silverstone, actress, animal-rights activist
"In a time when we are all working to go green, I am thrilled that That's Why We Don't Eat Animals makes the connection between food and the environment, inspiring children to be aware and involved. "
--Ed Begley, actor, activist
"Stunning artwork, meaningful content, and a message that will inspire-this book is a must-read for every child. "
--Rory Freedman, NY Times bestselling author of Skinny Bitch
"Roth beautifully illustrates why we all love animals when we get the chance to experience their families and personalities. That's Why We Don't Eat Animals is a book I recommend to all parents and children. "
--David Wolfe, author of The Sunfood Diet Success System, founder of SunFood
"This book captures the imagination with its illustrations that subtly helpschildren understand the ancient teachings that animals have souls.Animals are our friends and we do not eat our friends. In thisunderstanding it helps us create a more compassionate world. "
--Gabriel Cousens, M.D. author of Conscious Eating, and Spiritual Nutrition
"Declaring that 'All animals deserve the care and protection we give our pets,'newcomer Roth takes the vegetarian/vegan cause to young readers. Highlystylized illustrations against white backdrops depict angularcaricatures of farm animals. Concluding with a list of tips for actionaround vegetarian/vegan ideals, this book is sure to raise awareness and questions."
--Publishers Weekly
"A courageous stab at a serious topic inherently hinted at through theanthropomorphizing of animals so prevalent in children's books. Bycontrasting animal behavior in the wild with that of their counterpartsin farms or factories, Roth makes a stark case that by harvestingsentient beings we are stripping them of their rights and naturaldesires. Inevitably this will book incense those on the other side ofthe issue but there is much to be learned here (about animal behavior if nothing else). A unique effort that is to be applauded."
--Booklist
"This book successfully tackles the tough subject [of veganism] with graceand clarity. This is a great addition to any compassionate kid's library and will make a wonderful gift for any parents in your life who want to talk to their kids about animals but need a little help gettingstarted."
--PETA Living
"That's Why We Don't Eat Animals succeeds in raising awareness about where our food comes from and howour food choices affect other creatures and the environment. Rothtouches on the conditions animals raised on factory farms endure...but she doesn't get overly graphic...That's Why We Don't Eat Animalsnicely connected the dots between how humans treat animals and theimpact our species has on the planet as a whole, with the basic premisebeing that a more enlightened attitude toward our food sources (ofcourse, ideally that would mean becoming vegetarian) translates into ahealthier planet."
--Wired
"Turkeys dance andgrieve together; they blush and fly to the treetops when the moon comesout. In factory farms they have no freedom and are made too fat to fly."
--Kirkus
"The artwork is bright and enchanting...the message is clear, simple, and compassionate."
--Change.org"If each parent read this book to their child, I'm certain more children would consider becoming vegetarian."
--Vegetarian Journal
"That's Why We Don't Eat Animals is an elegantly written, beautifully illustrated children's book aboutthe rationale for vegetarianism. [Roth] uses heartfelt, emotionallyresonant language and art design to contrast the life lived by animalsin the wild with the existence of animals in the factory farming system. This is a children's book with large ambitions...If the cominggenerations are going to strive for a more sustainable approach tofilling their dining room tables, That's Why We Don't Eat Animals should certainly be in their bookcases."
--L.A. Yoga
"You can never be too young to join the fight against cruelty, and Roth'sbook looks like a great tool to help teach the younger generation aboutwhat's happening on factory farms."
--This Just In, VegNews blog
"An American teacher, writer and artist, Roth has come up with aninnovative and somewhat controversial solution for helping childrenfoster compassion towards animals-tell them the truth. That's Why We Don't Eat Animals: A Book About Vegans, Vegetarians, and All Living Things is the first book of its kind targeted toward young people. A candid,but gentle book that discusses what are normally considered taboosubjects for children, such as factory farming, battery hen cages,overfishing, habitat erosion, rainforest health and endangered speciesin relation to food."
--Green Muze
"The illustrations are fantastic, and the message is spot on."
--Vegan Dad blog
"The text does a fine job of explaining this potentially emotional issue without being too fraught with horrifying detail. Ruby Roth is atalented illustrator and author who has written a gently informativechildren's book that will be indispensable to thoughtful familieseverywhere. I am so grateful to her for making that inevitable talk alittle bit easier."
--Your Vegan Mom
"That's Why We Don't Eat Animals makes the case for both vegetarianism and veganism with gorgeous artwork and a clear, firm stance about the needs of animals and the peril to thegreater environment."
--Vegan Future blog
"[That's Why We Don't Eat Animals] makes a sound, green argument for reducing animal consumption as wellas eliminating factory farms. It offers another perspective that ismissing from children's sections in libraries. It is a pleasure to findsuch a well-done book on the subject"
--Kids Lit blog
"Though this book tackles a difficult subject for younger children, it does sowell. This is a good book for vegetarian families or parents who areraising their kids veggie and want a way to explain it to them. Withoutgetting too graphic (animals in confined cages are as dark as it gets),it explores basic issues of factory farming and discusses its effects on the environment. Roth is able to get her point across without becomingtoo preachy or delving into topics that aren't age-appropriate.
--The Kids' Book Corner blog
"Wonderfully illustrated and inspiring for children of all ages, author Ruby Rothhas tackled the complex moral and ethical issue of choosing to be avegetarian, distilling it into a compassionate and informative snapshotof the emotional lives of animals in their natural state. That's Why We Don't Eat Animals is a timely reminder to look inside our hearts and reconsider thechoices we make-and their impact on our fellow creatures and thewell-being of the planet."
--New Consciousness Review
"For any parent looking for a children's book to introduce some arguments on choosing the vegetarian lifestyle, That's Why We Don't Eat Animals is a great start."--Vegetarian Star
"[That's Why We Don't Eat Animals] was not grotesque or militant in any way... just straightforward aboutthe reality of eating animals and what that means for the animals andthe planet...Thumbs up to Ruby Roth, That's Why We Don't Eat Animals rocks!"
--Nature Moms
"That's Why We Don't Eat Animals is quickly becoming a must-have book!"
--Ecorazzi
"Each animal on a farm is contrasted with the animal in its natural, socialhabitat through entertaining drawings...Research for the book wascollected from zoologists, animal behaviorists, neuropsychiatrists, pettherapy programs, oceanographers, farmers and animal sanctuaries..."
--The Washington Times
"It is good to finally have a book that portrays the philosophy of veganism as a reasoned, principled belief and not as a fickle food choice."
--New Age Journal
"The text confronts kids head-on with questions that will get them thinking..."--Heeb'n'Vegan
"[That's Why We Don't Eat Animals] is heirloom quality and destined to be read over and over again."--Green Baby NYC
"This beautifully illustrated book explains simply and gently why so manyfamilies have decided to leave meat off the menu...The pages are filledwith gorgeous color, top notch drawings, and a vast array ofunforgettable critters. Any child being raised in a vegetarian home will be able to comfortably understand why their family isn't lined up atthe McDonald's drive thru or serving turkey come Thanksgiving."
--dkMommySpot
"[That's Why We Don't Eat Animals is] the first book geared to children to address the humanitarian aspects of a plant-based diet."--Huffington Post
"[Ruby Roth's] stunning artwork mesmerizes readers... this book is sure to be awonderful conversation starter between children and their adultcounterparts for many story times to come."--VegBooks
"Get this book! Ruby Roth's That's Why We Don't Eat Animals is quickly gaining acclaim and recognition... a welcome addition to the vegetarian and vegan landscape."
--LifeTips.com
"The book illustrates in a gentle yet powerful way, the reasons why someEarthlings choose not to eat meat. It is a beautiful book aboutcompassion."--Mother Rising
"The graphics areamazing... this book is not only a great tool for teaching your kids whythey are vegetarian or vegan but also to teach adults and others why itis important not to eat meat."--Cooking for a Vegan Lover
"If you are planning on raising a vegetarian child who will bewell-prepared to explain his or her beliefs to inquiring peers,teachers, and friends' parents, That's Why We Don't Eat Animals is a great start... The animals are charmingly drawn in a caricaturist,almost geometric style, and their environments are depicted with brightor dark colors, depending on their living conditions. The vocabulary issimple and straightforward, doesn't get too dark or complicated forchildren, and avoids a preachy, overbearing tone in favor of asensitive, informative one."--Feminist Review
"Roth's artistry brings the story to life through color and rigid form."
--Farmbrarian
"Ruby's beautiful illustrations are colorful and whimsical, and theyhave a way of keeping my daughter's eyes glued to the page! ... This isby far the most gentle, yet eye opening, animal rights book availablefor our youngest generation!"
--The Vegan Mom
"[That's Why We Don't Eat Animals is] a delightful, beautifully illustrated guide to some of the world'smost pressing topics--from health to environment to animal protection--for children ages 4-10."
--Elephant Journal
"Roth created her new illustrated book, That's Why We Don't Eat Animals, for elementary school aged children, exploring topics such as factoryfarming, overfishing and rainforest destruction in a manner that istruthful, yet age-appropriate."
--Compassionate Living Magazine
"Roth gently discusses what is wrong with the way we raise food... If eachparent read this book to their child, I'm certain more children wouldconsider becoming vegetarian."
--Vegetarian Resource Group
"A book written for children and their families, That's Why We Don't Eat Animals is just as vital an addition to the veg-friendly library as John Robbin's The Food Revolution or Jonathan Safran Foer's Eating Animals, because its simple, yet profound message--that the animals of this world have as much a desire to live and love their families as we do--isenough to become a seed of change for good in the hearts of children and grown-ups alike. I've never seen a book that handles the subject offactory farming, overfishing, and the destruction of our fellow animalsand planet so delicately."
--Kiss Me, I'm Vegan
"I recently began my search for a simple, clear children's book aboutvegetarianism. I wanted something more than a story about anunrealistic, cartoon animal, as well as a story that touched on theenvironment and American factory farms... I was really happy to find That's Why We Don't Eat Animals by Ruby Roth."
--Erin, MN Veggie Mama
"That's Why We Don't Eat Animals is a milestone in children's literature."
--Vegetarians in Paradise
"Ruby's illustrations are just superb. She has an abstract style and theanimals are almost, but not quite, painted in caricature. I commend herfor making a visually pleasing book while not shying away from therealities of animal use. That's Why We Don't Eat Animals coversjust about every aspect of animal exploitation, and does it in asensitive way that breaks the awful truth to our children as easily aspossible."
--Raw on $10 a Day (or Less!)
"A gorgeously illustrated children's book that we are just mad for."
--The GirlieGirl Army
About the Author
Ruby Roth is an acclaimed activist, artist, and author whose work has been featured in the San Francisco Chronicle, The Huffington Post, The Washington Times, Change.org, Glamour, and Wired as well as on The Today Show, FOX, ABC, CNN, and other major media outlets. She first discovered children's interest in veganism while teaching art at an elementary school. Complementing her degrees in art and American studies, she has researched animal agriculture, health, nutrition, and the benefits of a plant-based diet for nearly a decade. A vegan since 2003, she lives in Los Angeles.
