Calliope Magazine
"A great complement to this issue of CALLIOPE. In addition to the engaging activities, there are fact-filled sidebars, interesting did-you-know boxes, pertinent vocabulary lists, and much more!"
National Science Association (NSTA)
"Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in our society. Part of the problem is a lack of knowledge about the food we eat. Using this book is a fun way for young readers to learn more about food and nutrition by completing hands-on projects. Each of 13 chapters contains numerous diagrams and illustrations. There are many sidebars with words to know, "did you know" facts, lists of supplies for projects, and other information. A glossary, list of resources, and subject index complete the package. Readers will be interested to learn that Chile powder was added to a recipe for ancient hot chocolate (from Mexico); the word coconut comes from the word cocho, which means ghost or boogeyman; and in Cambodia, people eat deep-fried tarantulas. Projects include making a model of the flooding Nile river or a classroom garden. These components provide starting points for multicultural or integrated lessons. Children will enjoy doing these projects, which are described in complete detail, and learning useful facts about nutrition. The book also includes some safety tips (such as not eating out of a home-made clay pot). Our society needs to do something to improve nutrition, and this book is a step in the right direction. Its integrated approach will be appreciated by elementary or middle school teachers. The topics are also ideal for projects that involve parents or community volunteers."
Children's Literature
"One of 20 books in the “Build It Yourself” series, this edition discusses the history and culture of food in an interesting workbook-like format. Following a brief introduction, the thirteen chapters include lively, but brief discussions about the origins of food consumption; farming, past and present, food and cultures; how different foods traveled around the world; food packaging; food safety, traditions and celebrations; food across time; nutrition; herbivore carnivores and omnivores; backyard eating; strange edibles and the future of food. Each chapter includes at least one hands—on activity with a list of supplies and directions, a glossary of “words to know,” a boxed “Did You Know” section as well as the discussions in an appealing format. Occasional black and white drawings add interest. A combined glossary, list of further resources and an index are included at the end of the book. It’s a thorough introduction into the world of food for beginners. With obesity in young people on the rise, they need all the information possible to make wise food choices. This book is perfect to get them thinking about the subject. "
SWON Libraries; CLEAR Review
"From ancient times to the future of food investigate the science, history, and culture behind what we eat. Book is written in a chapter workbook style with each chapter is followed by at least one activity. This title goes beyond the basics of the food pyramid and encourages kids to understand their daily food intake from both commercial and local growers. This is a fascinating title about food and what we eat. The content arrangement is outstanding. This title would be great for a person who enjoys Alton Brown on the Food Network show good eats... Overall the title is very educational. Literary Merit: Excellent, Recommendation: Highly Recommended"
Old Schoolhouse Magazine
"Do you want to give your children some "food for thought" as they explore the history and science of what we eat? Then check out this great resource written by Kathleen M. Reilly and published by Nomad Press. As part of the "Build It Yourself" series and geared to readers ages nine and up, Food: 25 Amazing Projects is just the kind of resource that homeschoolers will enjoy! Each section contains fascinating historical and scientific information on the chapter topic, "Did You Know?" trivia boxes, Words to Know, and one to four activities and experiments. This book is amazingly comprehensive, and I was astounded by the amount of information and fun (and educational) stuff the author included. I can definitely see how this book could be a great complement for several historical/time period studies! It is also a wonderful study by itself, as it shows readers how food has played a vital part in the development of our cultural roles and how nutritional studies have evolved and developed over the centuries. A highly recommended resource!"
School Library Journal
This broad overview of food touches on its history and future, production and packaging, social and cultural practices, and health and safety concerns. ..... the information presented and questions posed on food packaging, mega-farming, locally grown vs. commercially grown foods, free-range grazing, and healthy food choices make this a particularly up-to-date survey. Scientific and technical terms are highlighted in bold print and defined in an inset on the spread where they are found. Every chapter concludes with two to three hands-on activities that range from cooking to science and art projects (piñata cakes, potato maze, and a farmer’s market survey). Each spread offers a mix of black-and-white spot art; “Did you know?” information, decorated page borders, and possibly a word chart and/or graph, lending a cheerful look to the pages. This soup-to-nuts look at the business and consumption of food will make a good addition to most collections."
Janet Poppendieck, author, Free For All: Fixing School Food in America
“. . . a useful addition to the exciting new literature on engaging children with the sources and meaning of their food.”
Donald Stull, Professor of Anthropology, University of Kansas
"Food 25 Amazing Projects Investigate the History and Science of What We Eat, will help readers discover the central role food plays in our daily lives and how it has shaped our history and defined our cultural identities. I was pleased to see the book take up important, and at times contentious, issues like food-borne illness, the value of the USDA food pyramid, and the place of meat in the diet of individuals and an increasingly hungry planet. This broad, entertaining introduction to the fascinating world of food will help readers become more informed, more responsible eaters.”
Jessica A. Hoffman, Associate Professor, Northeastern University
“. . . enjoyable, informative, and interesting. ”
John Turennee President Sustainable Food Systems LLC
“Like a mouth-watering plate full of delicious, healthy, sustainable food, Amazing Food Projects is sure to stimulate children’s appetites for learning about the importance of what they eat. Nutritional, economic, environmental and social aspects are presented in a fun and imaginative manner. What a wonderful way to teach kids about the sustainability issues around food!”
From the minute life begins, food makes you strong, helps you grow, and gives you energy. But do you take that ham sandwich for granted? You might not give a lot of thought to where your food comes from, how it got to you, what’s really in it, or what it does for you. Food: 25 Amazing Projects Investigate the History and Science of What We Eat gives kids some “food for thought” as they dive into exciting projects about the incredible world of food. Kids will have fun learning about all aspects of food in our daily lives—how vegetarians balance their diet, how some cultures rose and fell based on a single food source, the route from farm to market, how eating locally makes an impact, and much more.
Food meets common core state standards in language arts for reading informational text and literary nonfiction and is aligned with Next Generation Science Standards. Guided Reading Levels and Lexile measurements indicate grade level and text complexity.
Gr 4–6—This broad overview of food touches on its history and future, production and packaging, social and cultural practices, and health and safety concerns. Treatments are balanced, but provide only an introduction to the book's long list of topics. However, the information presented and questions posed on food packaging, mega-farming, locally grown vs. commercially grown foods, free-range grazing, and healthy food choices make this a particularly up-to-date survey. Scientific and technical terms are highlighted in bold print and defined in an inset on the spread where they are found. Every chapter concludes with two to three hands-on activities that range from cooking to science and art projects (piñata cakes, potato maze, and a farmer's market survey). For each one, step-by-step instructions and a supply list are provided. The required kitchen tools and supplies are generally readily accessible, but some of the latter may need to be purchased. While a few of the activities are ho-hum, most will be of interest to the intended age group. Safety is mentioned only once, embedded in an early activity. Each spread offers a mix of black-and-white spot art; "Did you know?" information, decorated page borders, and possibly a word chart and/or graph, lending a cheerful look to the pages. The resource list at the end of the volume is somewhat generic, but does include websites. This soup-to-nuts look at the business and consumption of food will make a good addition to most collections.—Carol S. Surges, McKinley Elementary School, Wauwatosa, WI
