First Helpings
A History of Children and Food
Deborah Albon, Amy PalmerHow childhood and food have shaped each other through history – and still do.
What should children eat and why? How should they eat it and what should they learn about food? Answers to questions like these have differed over time. First Helpings explores the relationship between children and food in history, drawing on a rich variety of social records, cookery and etiquette books and children’s literature. Topics covered include breast versus bottle feeding, the difference between ‘adult’ and ‘children’s’ food and drink, table manners, school meals and learning to cook. Albon and Palmer discuss wider social issues, such as teaching children about the ethics of food choices, the role children have played in food production and the ever-present scandal of hungry children in society. First Helpings provides a unique look at childhood and eating that relates past to present and considers ways forward.
How childhood and food have shaped each other through history – and still do.
What should children eat and why? How should they eat it and what should they learn about food? Answers to questions like these have differed over time. First Helpings explores the relationship between children and food in history, drawing on a rich variety of social records, cookery and etiquette books and children’s literature. Topics covered include breast versus bottle feeding, the difference between ‘adult’ and ‘children’s’ food and drink, table manners, school meals and learning to cook. Albon and Palmer discuss wider social issues, such as teaching children about the ethics of food choices, the role children have played in food production and the ever-present scandal of hungry children in society. First Helpings provides a unique look at childhood and eating that relates past to present and considers ways forward.
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[A] comprehensive, well-researched and an entertaining read. I recommend it.
'British Food History
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The authors shine a light on the impact of hunger on children and their families and the book highlights how food is interwoven in everyday life and in the collective memory, which has an impact on the life course. An excellent book which leads all of us to think hard about these issues.
'Gurpinder Singh Lalli, Professor in Education for Social Justice and Inclusion, University of Wolverhampton, and author of Schools, Food and Social Learning
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Albon and Palmer bring us authentic voices of children and how their “foodways” have changed over time. The excellent selection of their voices and images is salutary and by turns celebratory. I recommend this fascinating book and ask for more.
'Penny Lawrence, Associate Professor, Early Childhood Education, UCL Institute of Education
Deborah Albon (Author)
Deborah Albon is a former early years professional and lecturer at the University of Roehampton, London, and has published widely about many food topics.
Amy Palmer (Author)
Amy Palmer is a former infant teacher and lecturer at the University of Roehampton, London, and has published on children’s literature and education.
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A History of Children and Food
21st May, 2026
In this blog, authors Deborah Albon and Amy Palmer talk about the subject of their new book, First Helpings: A History of Children and Food. *** It is our conviction that food matters – it is vital to consider it when we write the social history of a…