Oliver's Vegetables: questions to ask and activities to try
Oliver only likes chips, until Grandpa's garden game. Oliver's Vegetables is a gentle classic for fussy eaters, full of vegetables and the days of the week.
What age is it for? Oliver's Vegetables is best for ages 2–6. Good for: Fussy eating, and trying vegetables you grew.
Oliver's Vegetables (Vivian French and Alison Bartlett)
- Age
- 2-6
- Best for
- Fussy eating, and trying vegetables you grew
Read it before a trip to a garden, allotment or the supermarket's vegetable aisle. Let your child choose one vegetable to try that week, just like Oliver.
What it helps with
- Trying new vegetables
- Where food comes from
- Days of the week
- Grandparents and gardens
Comprehension and discussion questions
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “What did Oliver like to eat?”
- “What game did Grandpa play?”
- “What did Oliver find on Monday?”
- “Which vegetable did he like best?”
- “Which vegetable would you try?”
- “What would you grow?”
5-minute activities to try together
Vegetable week
Choose a different vegetable for each day this week and try a tiny taste of each.
Grow your own
Grow cress, herbs or a carrot top in water, and eat it together when it's ready.
Free printables: Oliver's Vegetables worksheet and activity pack
This book’s one-page worksheet with the questions and activities above, plus our activity pack: printable scenario cards, three 5-minute activities and a “What could I try?” page for practising everyday skills together. Enter your email and download them straight away.
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If your child liked this, try
I Will Not Ever Never Eat a Tomato (Lauren Child)
- Best for
- Fussy eating, and imagination at mealtimes
- Age
- 3-7
Green Eggs and Ham (Dr. Seuss)
- Best for
- Trying new foods and new things before deciding you don't like them
- Age
- 3-7
Errol's Garden (Gillian Hibbs)
- Best for
- Gardening, community, and asking for help with a big idea
- Age
- 3-7
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.