Brannen and O'Connell have deftly provided a look at how families feed their children. The authors employ an impressive mixed-methods, longitudinal approach that brings refreshing perspective to a global debate often fraught with dramatic pronouncements regarding childhood obesity and the decline of the family meal. A systematic appraisal of dynamic influences including shifting parental employment, domestic foodwork roles, child development, and temporal considerations helps advance an evolving conversation about the family table. The authors skilfully weave rich, evocative case studies into this important contribution to the literature.
David Livert, Pennsylvania State University, USA This book achieves so much, so skilfully; at its heart is a robust analysis of data relating to mothers, fathers and children, drawing on quantitative and qualitative research methods and considering the complex issues of food, families and work over time. It will be of interest to a variety of scholars.
Wendy Wills, University of Hertfordshire, UK By situating children's food in the context of the everyday lives of working families and by considering how children as social agents negotiate their food choices as they move through their lives at home, childcare, and school, O'Connell and Brannen's important contribution illuminates the complexities of food and family life and the dynamic, negotiated practice of children's food in contemporary England.
Roblyn Rawlins, The College of New Rochelle, USA