Review by Booklist Review
Robbins adds another beautifully illustrated picture book to his list of more than two dozen titles, such as Apples (2002) and Pumpkins (2006). This time, Robbins focuses on a mouth-watering array of produce: apples, oranges, potatoes, tomatoes, grapes, bananas, mushrooms, and pomegranates. Each spacious spread combines Robbins' vibrantly hued photographs with engaging text filled with information about each food, including its nutritional content, history, current methods of cultivation, and appearance in figures of speech ( couch potato ), as well as mythology and folklore. With so much packed into each chapter, the format doesn't allow for a full explanation of every reference. Still, the enticing images will draw young readers into the captivating assortment of facts, which can easily support basic reports. A welcome resource, particularly for fast-food-gobbling young readers, who may discover the botanical origins of French fries for the first time in these pages.--Engberg, Gillian Copyright 2009 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-7-Robbins presents a cornucopia of information about apples, oranges, corn, bananas, tomatoes, potatoes, pomegranates, grapes, and mushrooms. Each item gets about four pages of text and is accompanied by sometimes life-sized photos. In addition to sharing interesting bits of trivia, the author offers brief descriptions of related events from history, such as the Irish Potato Famine, and/or short synopses of the item's appearance in mythology. There are even some biblical stories. The coverage is ambitious, perhaps offering more than most kids want to know. However, with food being pushed to the forefront of national discussion and debate, this book could be coming along at just the right time. Students doing projects on nutrition and health will find it helpful, though they will most likely need supplementary sources as well. The omission of additional reading and sources is unfortunate. The photos lack the awe-inspiring quality of Robbins's Pumpkins (Roaring Brook, 2006). The main picture of each fruit and vegetable is set against overly shadowed or clouded backgrounds and while the images do capture the textures well, the food looks more arty than appetizing. The information is interesting and useful, but the book's shortcomings make it an additional purchase for most collections.-Laura Lutz, Queens Borough Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Sampling significant tales, social history, and factual oddments, Robbins implicitly suggests how much there is to know about nine foods we likely take for granted. The kind of information differs from topic to topic, which may limit reference use, but readers drawn by Robbins's attractive photographic portraits of these fruits and vegetables will get an intriguing taste of wide-ranging facts and lore. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
