The “we” in That’s Why We Don’t Eat Animals is us vegetarians and vegans. RR: Yes, mostly, but anyone, vegan or not, should be able to read them without hesitation. GD: Are your books solely for vegan parents looking to help explain veganism to their children?

I had degrees in art and American Studies, and had long been involved in social justice activism, so I decided to meld those two interests and create the book I wanted to read–one that respected the capabilities of kids enough to speak truthfully to them.

I tried to find a children’s book that would help me explain, but they were all about a talking animal or a talking vegetable which I couldn’t stand! It took so much away from both the real emotional lives of animals and my students’ intelligence and street smarts. Ruby Roth: Thank you! I was teaching art to elementary school students who were all very curious about why I wasn’t eating the string cheese or drinking the milk they were served at recess. What inspired you to start making books for kids, and what is your main goal with your books? GeekDad: We adore your books in our home, both for their amazing art and for the message of love and compassion. Roth was kind enough to do a small interview with me after we met at the lecture. Roth’s books are not heavy-handed or “shoving a lifestyle down your throat” they make these potentially difficult discussions about the real world easier for parents. The book also addresses common questions and issues that vegetarian and vegan kids might face in a way that makes it easy for them to understand and possible explain to their friends. The style of the book is very playful and sketchy, something we and our son really love. There is plenty of humor throughout the book–“E is for eggs–from a chicken’s butt?!”–that is age appropriate and caused plenty of giggles in our home.

We attended a lecture given by Roth here in Seattle, Washington, last week and purchased V is for Vegan for our two-year-old. The art and messages are perfect for younger kids. Ruby Roth is the author of three children’s books– That’s Why We Don’t Eat Animals, Vegan Is Love, and, her latest, V Is for Vegan: The ABCs of Being Kind.

V Is for Vegan by Ruby Roth