Erik Talkin – författare

"In this story illustrating the reality of childhood hunger and food insecurity, Lulu invites kids into her world to help them understand what it's like to battle the Hunger Monster. Lulu and the Hunger Monster delivers the right message at the right time, helping readers recognize the problem of childhood hunger and moving them to find solutions."—Jeff Bridges, actor and anti-hunger advocateWhen Lulu's mother's van breaks down, money for food becomes tight and the Hunger Monster comes into their lives. Only visible to Lulu, Hunger Monster is a troublemaker who makes it hard for her to concentrate in school. How will Lulu help her mom and defeat the Monster when Lulu has promised never to speak the monster's name to anyone?This realistic—and hopeful—story of food insecurity builds awareness of the issue of childhood hunger, increases empathy for people who are food insecure, and demonstrates how anyone can help end hunger. Lulu and the Hunger Monster™ empowers children to destigmatize the issue of hunger before the feeling turns into shame.The author combines years of experience fighting hunger as a food bank CEO with an MFA in writing for young children to craft an honest story of how poverty and food insecurity can affect adults and their children. Lulu’s story addresses the effects of hunger on learning and can be used in group settings to address social justice issues in an accessible and encouraging way.Lulu and the Hunger Monster has been awarded the International Literacy Association's 2021 Social Justice Literature Award and a 2020 Foreword INDIES Honorable Mention, Picture Books, Early Reader (Children's).Food Justice Books for Kids seriesThis series takes complex food justice issues—food insecurity, how food is marketed and sold, and food systems—and makes them kid-friendly and fun to read. In three separate but connected stories, Lulu, Jesse, and Frankie confront the Hunger Monster, Snack Food Genie, and Food Phantom. As they do, readers follow along and learn more about how each of us can take small steps toward greater food justice for everyone. A section at the back of each book offers children ways to further explore the story and make a difference in their own communities.

A class project leads Frankie to learn where her food comes from and go up against the Food Phantom.When Frankie and her classmates are asked where their food comes from, it sparks curiosity about her town's food system. "Walking home, I tell Grandpa about my project. ‘We live in a place where you can buy a burger for one dollar, or pay two dollars for one banana. That doesn't add up!'" Frankie begins to unravel the mystery of how he's affecting her community and how she and her classmates can make a difference.The author combines years of experience fighting hunger as a food bank CEO with an MFA in writing for young children to craft an honest story of how the food system can affect adults and children. Frankie's story encourages children to investigate where their food comes from and can be used in group settings to address social justice issues in an accessible way.A section at the back of the book provides additional information on what a food system is, common problems with the food system, and what we can do about the problems.Food Justice Books for Kids seriesThis series takes complex food justice issues—food insecurity, how food is marketed and sold, and food systems—and makes them kid-friendly and fun to read. In three separate but connected stories, Lulu, Jesse, and Frankie confront the Hunger Monster, Snack Food Genie, and Food Phantom. As they do, readers follow along and learn more about how each of us can take small steps toward greater food justice for everyone. A section at the back of each book offers children ways to further explore the story and make a difference in their own communities.