Laura Mucha

This book is so well done! It is not a recipe book or cookbook, rather it explores categories of food as they are prepared and eaten in different ways throughout the world. The illustrations clearly strive to stay true to typical physical features of the people in countries being portrayed. The only reason I didn't award a full five stars is because the author did veer into personal opinions a few times, but the majority of the book is a delightful and objective view of food and traditions from around the world.… (meer)

I received a copy of this book through the Library Thing Early Reviewers program, and it was a real treat to read! The authors hit a perfect balance of breadth and depth by covering a variety of topics and including some meaty explanations, such as how we taste. The text was a feast for the senses, including some fun and unexpected descriptors (like gnocchi being "bouncy")! The illustrations were adorable and perfectly complemented the text, drawing the reader in with their warmth, exuberance, and diversity. Sections showcasing a variety of words from around the world were sprinkled throughout the book and the back matter had a list of all the countries included. The tone was celebratory and full positive language - nothing was described as "gross" or "weird". This would be a good book to share with picky eaters, as even foods or dishes that might not seem appealing included details that make one want to try them anyway because of something special or interesting about them. My only teeny-tiny complaint involves the description of popcorn on page 17: "Popcorn is a specific type of maize whose kernels, when heated, magically pop, explode, grow, and turn into a light and crispy puff." After all the great science-y explanations interwoven in the other parts of the book, "magically pop" was a bit of a let-down (which goes to show how successful the authors and illustrator were at packing a lot of goodness into a mere 64 pages)! Considering the vast scope of the topic, this book managed be immensely satisfying, while making me hungry for even more! It would be an amazing addition to any home or library and can be enjoyed by children and grown-ups alike. Highly recommended!… (meer)