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From Booklist

November 1, 2023
Grades 5-9 In this encyclopedic follow-up to Elliott's Yummy: A History of Desserts (2021), Peri and her fellow food sprites present a truly dizzying array of topics, from bread and cheese to soda and gelatin, all centered around the notion of experimentation and change. Each section explores some of the theories around long-standing food traditions, such as fermentation and preservation, as well as a fascinating glimpse into the world of mass-produced foods, like frozen dinners, SPAM, and instant ramen. The cheerful, busy art matches the lively tone, and the food-sprite characters keep the information breezy. For all the light atmosphere, Elliott doesn't shy away from the sometimes difficult history of the way foods have changed throughout the history of migration and colonization. For example, Persian pickles, called sikbaj, made their way to Spain and Portugal as escabeche and eventually to South and Central America as ceviche; while the name shifts with new languages and the ingredients reflect the changing geography, the method remains the same. Simultaneously dense with information and an utter treat, this is perfect for kids and tweens obsessed with food.

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