Tuesday, 27 June 2017

Taste N Tell Book Review and Giveaway

I have been following the progress of this very special book since I first spotted it at The Baby Show. When I first met the founders of the book they mostly had the idea and a mock up book. Even at this stage I was impressed. This time when I went back to The Baby Show they had them ready to sell and so they gave me one to review. 

So, What is Taste N Tell all about? 

Taste n Tell is all about promoting healthy foods and healthy eating through reading and learning. Its all about making food fun and interesting while encouraging even the fussiest of eaters to want to sample new foods. 



The book we were given to review is the 12months+ book for discovering fruit. As you can see from the image, the box is so nice and colourful and really stands out as a quality product.

Inside the box there is the book, and a reward chart with stickers. Also a little booklet which tells you about your book and how to care for it.



The book itself is really good. The idea to is that you have a little pot where you can place pieces of fruit chopped up. Each book has a special character who takes you on a food learning journey and for the fruit book it is Holly Honeybee. 
As you turn each page it shows you a different fruit. It shows you a photograph of the fruit whole, a photograph of where the fruit comes from and a photograph of it chopped up. It then has a little rhyme to read to encourage the children to open up the pot and see what is inside. The pages are all made of hardboard and can be easily wiped down, and the little pot pops out of the book so it can be filled with the fruit and also easily washed.

I think that the characters of the book are great. Really child friendly and really colourful. Also the wording of the book is also really colourful with the colour relating to the colour of the fruit. Its also written in a font that makes it easy for the children to be able to read the words.






The great thing about the book is how much it promotes reading, learning and communication. I feel a lot of fussy eaters may be fussy about what they are eating as they don't know what it is. This book really helps show children that its a fruit, and just like the other fruits they like, its natural and comes from things like tree's.

The little booklet suggests that you start with a fruit that they are familiar with and that they like. This is so then they can start to get a feel for the way the book works and start to build up excitement around it. So for Lily, I started with Apple. I chopped up the apple into little pieces and placed it into the tub. I then brought the book to Lily and let opened the page to the apple. She straight away knew what fruit it was from the photographs and was very excited to open up the tub. Which she did to find her apple. I then told her about the apple and pointed to the pictures telling her that apples grow on tree's. Lily ate all her apple as usual.






I also tried Lily with some strawberries as she loves them. There isn't a part in the book about strawberries but I still used the pot so she still had the excitement of opening it with the surprise fruit inside. 

As Lily tried 2 fruits, she got to put 2 stickers on the chart. The chart has lots of space and lots of stickers, all with holly honey bee on.


After you have finished with the book, you can slide out of the hard plastic base at the back and let it be washed along with the fruit tub. This is the best way to keep your book nice and hygienic. 

After using the book with fruits that I knew she loved. It was time to try some that she usually didn't like, or hadden't tried yet. There were plenty of fruits she hadden't tried inside. Cherries, Apricots, Dates, Avocado, and Figs. So I decided to try Lily with Apricot and Cherries. As usual Lily was really excited that the book was coming out. I opened up the page to apricot and we read the little rhyme and then she opened the tub. Lily was really impressed with what she found inside and after I told her what the fruit was and where it came from, she grabbed it to try some straight away. Unfortunately Lily decided she didn't like the apricot and wouldn't eat any more than a bite. I was still happy that Lily tried it though.

I then tried cherries. We did the same with the rhyme and me telling her what fruit it was, but this time Lily wouldn't even try the cherry. I think that maybe she wasn't sure she would like them because she didn't like the apricot. Or it could have been because she was hoping her favourite, apple would be in there. Maybe If I would have done the apricot and cherries in 2 different sittings she may have tried the cherries and liked them.





The next week I decided it was time to try the book again. This time I thought I would see if the book encouraged Lily to eat something that she would never even try. Banana. Each time I have tried it with her she has pushed it away.
So I cut some into the tub and I also put the rest of the banana on the book so she could see it as a full piece. Lily knew exactly what it was and told me it was a banana and we discussed where it came from and what it looked like. She opened the tub but as she touched one of the bananas she said ewww. I don't think she likes the texture. But she then picked up the banana with the skin and took a big bite. She then passed it to me and said she didn't like it. BUT i'm really glad that the book at least got her to try it.

Lily did end up getting banana on the book, but it was so easy to just wipe clean with a wet wipe.




Overall we have really enjoyed using the taste n tell book and I can't wait to try Lily with even more nice fruits to see if she will eat them. I think the book is a really great concept to learn about foods and encourage children to eat them. Soon there are to be plenty other books joining the food discovery journey with a vegetable book, grains book, protein book and dairy book. Which I really look forward to seeing.

The Discovering Fruit Book is £18.99 and can be bought from the Taste N Tell website.

What do you think to the Taste N Tell Book? 

If you love the look of this Taste N Tell book then your in luck as I have one to give away. Enter on the Gleam app below for your chance to win.

Win a Taste N Tell Book

82 comments:

  1. Really interested in the concept. With 1 very fussy 4 year old always lookibg at more ways to explore more food. He loves books so this looks worth a try. Like you i am happy if he tries something new even if he doesnt like it

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  2. What a great idea - a fun way of encouraging little ones to try new foods!

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  3. Great review! I believe there are 2 more fruit books yet to be published,with the next one the first of the vegetable books. This is what I was told at the Childcare Expo in Manchester. I'm looking forward to trying the vegie one. Lily is an absolute cutie!

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  4. Great idea
    Have been following you and Lily testing out different foods -looks fun

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  5. This is such a unique and brilliant concept

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  6. Different! I like the idea but not sure how the condition of the book would hold up.

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    1. I met the designers in Manchester at a childcare show. I work in a nursery so I asked this very question. I was assured given the quality of the book,made of robust wipe clean material,it would last as long as any book if not longer. They also stressed the system is for food sampling and the children should be supervised by adults at all times during the teaching session. This is all in the instructions. It's the same as reading them a story,the difference being there is a sealed container allowing for small food samples to be introduced at the same time as teaching origins of food etc. And using a reward chart & stickers! Which children love. I absolutely love it ��

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  7. I think it's a great idea as it promotes both reading and learning.

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  8. brilliant idea, especially for those fussy eaters!

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  9. I think :- Great idea. Encourages interaction between Parent / Carer and Child. Promotes Positive Shared Experience and Learning in regards to reading, tasting and trying new flavours, colours, textures, etc. Encourages variety within diet / nutrition / nourishment.

    Have found historically that some adults make assumption child does not like food at an early stage. Yet we all practice many tasks before we are comfortable / happy/ proficient, etc in regards to the task / skill. Then leads to limited diet / lifestyle for the baby / child/ adult / individual :- Which can limit the Quality of Life. Food is necessary for life, it is Healthy to have a varied diet and to have social Events which involve food. So can impact on Social, Emotional, Psychological Aspects of Life for individual, family, Community, etc.

    Well Done! Looking forward to Happy, Healthy People who can enjoy food as part of their life within a healthy lifestyle, and Healthy, Happy, Caring, Sharing, Empathetic, Connected, Socially Active Community.

    Rachel Craig

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  10. Great idea to encourage your child to east and try new flavours

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  11. i love this idea, I have 4 children and number 3 is a super fussy eater which came as quite shock i'm always looking ideas of ways to get him to eat better foods

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  12. I think this is such a great idea. Many children are fussy about what they eat, this would help and also teach them

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  13. Very unique and i think the grandchildren would be more interested than just a reading or picture book, very good

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  14. Whilst a great idea, not too sure of the mess to tidy up afterwards

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  15. See the reply I made to Kasza post 10 posts back from yours Fiona & it answers your point well. ��

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  16. I like the concept of this. it makes it easy for little ones to see the food, then give it a try.

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  17. I love it, how I've never heard about these? ;o

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  18. Perfect for fussy eaters & encouraging different tastes when weaning!

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  19. I think its a top notch idea :)

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  20. Think it is brilliant, its a way of getting the little ones to eat fruit and even give it a try, which most of them shy away from

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  21. fab idea, could be great for all different foods :)

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  22. oh I have never seen anything like them! fabulous idea

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  23. I think it's great especially as kids are very curious this would be good for them to engage and learn new things

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  24. I think it's a great idea - looks like a great concept

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  25. Very imaginative and gets kids involved. I love it

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  26. This looks like a great idea for children to try new foods

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  27. I think theyre a great idea to get children involved with fruit/veg in a fun way :)

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  28. I think its brillient and teaches children where fruit and veg comes from and how it is grown

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  29. This is very good and encourage them to eat their fruit and vegetables and discover more about them.

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  30. a very good idea for fussy eaters

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  31. I think it's a fantastic idea, I'm a very fussy eater myself and often wish I wasn't. Anything that encourages children to try new foods and makes it fun at the same time is a brilliant idea.

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  32. I love this concept & think it's a great idea to encourage all children to try new foods,including those with special needs. Brilliant!

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  33. I think it's a fantastic idea to get little ones to try new foods.

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  34. Looks great - I like all the interactive elements that mean it's not just a standard book.

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  35. Love the sound of this, will definitely make trying new foods less stressful, my son loves books and stickers so its a win win

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  36. Better than brilliant. Have bookmarked the site to come back to.

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  37. I bought this first Taste 'n' Tell book as a birthday present for my three year old niece. Her mum said she can't get enough of it & can now repeat all the rhymes. I read there's one refill book out (can also be purchased with a base & container if required) every few months,until the series is complete. Now she's got a set with a book refill base & a container,she will only need the refill books to collect the whole series at a much cheaper price, perhaps more containers,stickers & reward charts,which can all be ordered separately. Anyway, that's Christmas sorted too��

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  38. It looks very interesting and different. I think it could encourage speach development by linking the fruit to the picture and the actual thing. Might also help fussy eaters by getting them curious about new foods!

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    1. Not seen anything like this before brilliant idea for the little ones.

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  39. Spencer Broadley22 July 2017 at 11:08

    Not come across them yet, but it sounds a great idea

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  40. brilliant idea, i think its great for fussy eaters!

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  41. Love, Love, Love this :-)

    Julie B.

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  42. Edward Guerreiro27 July 2017 at 11:54

    I love the concept of these books. Anything that can keep kids occupied while they are eating is great to me.

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  43. While a great idea, there will be a lot of mess afterwards.

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    1. Tried and tested a thousand times Allan and as long as there's parental supervision this is definitely not the case. Also those who wish to be extra cautious can easily remove the lid on the container, allow the child to see the sample in context with the picture & rhyme,then easily lift the container out before serving. I tried it that way too & it works just the same way. :-)

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    2. Tried and tested a thousand times Allan and as long as there's parental/carer supervision this is definitely not the case.Also those who wish to be extra cautious can easily remove the lid on the container, allow the child to see the sample in context with the picture & rhyme,then easily lift the container out before serving. I tried it that way too & it works just the same way. :-)

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  44. Michelle Smith27 July 2017 at 19:00

    A brilliant idea

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  45. Think this is a brilliant idea. It is important for children to know where their food comes from.

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  46. This is such an awesome idea...I'd just have to remember not to leave fruit in there & forget it otherwise the next time we read it it would be pretty gross!

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    1. It says in the instructions the container is not suitable for storing food and is only meant for use during the food sampling session. It should then be removed for cleaning,either by hand or in dishwasher. Extra containers can be ordered via the website. :-)

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  47. this is such a good idea to help encourage children to try different food

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  48. This is a great idea wish it was around when my older 3 were little as they hardly ate a thing! but they loved books. Hopefully baby number 4 can use this to discover foods rather then throw it across the room like the older ones did!

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    1. Feeding time can be so difficult, especially when you have chikdren full of life and only want to play, or they find food 'boring' Often children like this absolutely love to learn & although the books with food are not meant to replace meals, they do teach them about food in a fun way & allow for food samples to broaden their tastes from an early age. Good luck with baby 4. Amazing

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  49. I think its great and a fun way for the child to learn too.

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  50. This looks great, I would love to try it with my daughter

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  51. I love the idea - never seen anything like this before!

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  52. I would love to see what my two would make of this book

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  53. Definitely think it could help persuade some kids to try different foods

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  54. Fantastic idea, and its great for all those fussy eaters out there!

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  55. Brilliant idea, perfect for my Grandson, great fun

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  56. i THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA TO GET THE CHILDREN INVOLVED WITH FOODS.

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  57. Oops caps lock!

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  58. cool idea + will encourage kids to try different fruit + food

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  59. Great idea! Brilliant to expand their taste buds and their vocabulary

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  60. Its a really great idea, never heard of it before!

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  61. I think it's a genius idea, there's nothing more frustrating than a fussy eater I love this x

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  62. Lisa Tavendale29 July 2017 at 17:08

    Great idea - gives a new context for trying new foods!

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  63. I think it's an interesting concept; certainly unique.

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  64. Very different, great concept

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  65. What a fantastic idea, my children are fussy with fruit so this would be perfect for them xx

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  66. This looks fantastic, my Mollie is nearly 9 months and is weaning this would be good for her xxx

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  67. Thanks for this review! Such an interesting idea for encouraging a child to try new tastes!

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  68. This book is such a great idea x

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