Avocado Baby

CONCEPT: Growing up with PKU



Read a story about a baby who refuses to eat any of its food. After trying many foods, the baby's siblings suggest trying an avocado pear and the baby's 'super milk'. Surprisingly, the baby loved both the 'super milk' and the avocado. From that day on the baby ate its avocado and 'super milk' every day, and grew to be big and strong. Lead a discussion and complete a worksheet about this topic.



After completing this activity, children will be able to:

  • recognize that their formula helps them to be healthy and to grow up big and strong
  • identify "yes" and "no" foods



  1. Read the story Avocado Baby by John Burningham. Adapt the story to include 'super milk'. Each time the avocado pear is mentioned, add the words "and it's supermilk" after.
  2. Lead a discussion , including topics such as:
    • What are the similarities between the children and the Avocado Baby? (need special milk (formula) to help them grow to be big and strong, eat fruits and vegetables, etc.)
    • What are the differences between the children and the Avocado Baby? (eat more foods than just avocados, not as strong as him, etc.)
    • What foods should the children eat every day to help them to grow big and strong? (low phe foods, such as....)
    • What are their favorite foods?
    • What happened when Julie at strawberries?
    • What foods should you not eat?
    • What will happen to you if you eat those foods?
    • What did Julie say to Granny Squirrel when she asked Julie why she wasn't eating strawberries?
    • What will you tell people when they ask you why you can't eat meat or cheese?
    • What will you tell them when they ask you what PKU is?
  3. Distribute the worksheet. Help the children complete them, as needed. They can color the pictures if there is time.



  • Book: Avocado Baby by John Burningham. Published by Harper Collins Publishers, 1982. ISBN: 0-06-443371-4
  • adobe acrobat reader logo Worksheet
  • Pencil
  • Crayons



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