Fantastic Kids’ Books About The Science And History Of Food

Book List of Food Facts and Science Books
The Children’s Book Review

Do you adore hamburgers but wonder why there is no ham in them? Are you curious how water boils and cooks your pasta? Are you fascinated by the symmetry of corn kernels on a cob?

Then it’s time to dip into the science and history of your favorite foods! These fantastic and unique books take a look behind the scenes, if you will, of your favorite eats.

Get your forks and reading glasses ready because it’s time to dig in:

What to expect: Food, Non-Fiction              

The big question, explained: Why are hamburgers so named if there isn’t any ham in them? That’s a good question that involves Ghengis Khan, Russia, and German immigrants to America! Author Kim Zachman takes readers on a fascinating journey through history to discover the stories of ice cream, cookies, and, yes, the world’s most fascinating hamburger. Add in Peter Donnelly’s beautifully smart illustrations, and you’ve got a clear winner for kids (and adults who are crazy about food network shows) alike! This is a captivating book for food lovers of all ages!

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What to expect: Food, Encyclopedia

If you want to learn everything there is to know about food; then you’ve come to the right place! Fascinating descriptions by author Laura Gladwin make each type of food – Jackfruit to French beans, Idli to Dobos Torte – jump off the page and into your imagination. You’ll be hungry in no time!

Illustrator Zoe Barker’s illustrations are sketched with perfect clarity, capturing the colorful essence of each variety of food. We loved the “10 Ways to Eat” list at the back of the book, where Gladwin creates an ultra-satisfying and dream-worthy list of ways to enjoy different foods. Pasta, seafood, and spices are all treated with equal care and reverence. Especially appreciated were the fine details on each food, such as sweet corn kernels growing in even numbers in rows. I had no idea, and I’m sure to count the kernels on my next ear of corn!

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What to expect: Food, Non-Fiction, Science

Starting with a timeline of food (Egyptian extracts to Niehls Bohr is quite a jaunt!) THE CHEMISTRY OF FOOD gets down to the nitty and delicious granola gritty. Author Carla Mooney begins by describing matter, protons, neutrons, and chemical reactions and how they govern food and cooking. These chemical reactions create incredible tastes – you can even check out the QR code on the page to learn why bacon smells and tastes so delicious! We loved the interactive element of the book with the QR codes that had informative and entertaining videos.

What a well-rounded experience! There are also dozens of experiments and exercises kids can do alone or with friends, as well as a comprehensive glossary of terms at the back of the book. A well-rounded winner of a book for the young food science enthusiast that is sure to please even the pickiest academic palette.

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Food Facts and Science Books was curated by Denise Mealy. Discover more books like these titles by following along with our reviews and articles tagged with Food Books, Encyclopedias, Science Books, and Non-Fiction.