Chocolate: Riches from the Rainforest [Hardcover]

Robert Burleigh (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: 1 and up

Few children (and few adults) know the fascinating history of chocolate. Found in tropical rainforests, the seeds of the cacao tree played an important role in the rituals of the Maya and the Aztecs. Then Cortes took them across the Atlantic, where chocolate become a fad with the smart sets of Spain and all of Europe. Finally chocolate traveled back to the Americas to become a treat for everyone. Kids will be thrilled to learn how the Aztecs served sacrificial victims a special drink, made of chocolate - mixed with blood. And they'll learn why the Spanish coined the word "chocolate" - they modified other words to avoid calling the tasty new drink "cacalate." They'll also discover how years of drinking chocolate as a fatty, frothy beverage finally gave way to the creation of solid chocolate, ready to become bars, chips, brownies, and other goodies (but first people tried mixing it with cheese). Did you know that all the Tootsie Roll factories in the world produce more than 49 million Tootsie Rolls every day? Did you know that you couldn't buy chocolate in the summer until after about 1915, when refrigeration became available to businesses? Did you know that American soldiers carry chocolate as part of their rations - and have ever since World War I? Chocolate is both entertaining and informative. Lavishly illustrated and meticulously researched, Chocolate accompanies a major exhibition at The Field Museum, Chicago that will travel to ten other venues over five years.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Those with a sweet tooth will savor Chocolate: Riches from the Rainforest by Robert Burleigh. The volume traces the history of the confection from its origins in the rainforest to its role as an Aztec offering to the god Quetzalcoatl to its ration to soldiers during WWI to mass market treat. The book will accompany an exhibition at Chicago's Field Museum. Mouth-watering full-color photographs, a glossary and an author's note addressing deforestation and labor violations associated with the production of chocolate make this a handsome resource.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grades 3-5--A creatively designed cover and inside papers tempt chocolate aficionados and curious children to learn more about the connection between rainforests and chocolate. The presentation is enlivened by color photos, illustrations, nostalgic black-and-white pictures, and varied typography and layout. These artistic touches, along with a kaleidoscope of fascinating information, result in a delightful book. Children learn how the seeds of the cacao trees are processed. The historical beginnings are mentioned-how the Maya, Aztecs, Conquistadors, and eventually Europeans all became enamored of this creamy confectionery treat. The author touches on chocolate's effect on health, how African slaves worked the cacao and sugar fields, and Milton Hershey's enormous role in the evolution of chocolate candies and candy bars. A wonderfully illustrative description, paired with step-by-step color photos, takes readers from cacao pod to candy bar. This book instills an appreciation and respect for rainforests and laborers, is fun to read and share, and will prompt a visit to the nearest candy counter. It is a welcome supplement to existing titles, such as Jacqueline Dineen's Chocolate (Carolrhoda, 1991; o.p.), Richard Ammon's The Kids' Book of Chocolate (Atheneum, 1987; o.p.), and Samuel G. Woods's Chocolate: From Start to Finish (Blackbirch, 1999).
Augusta R. Malvagno, Queens Borough Public Library, NY
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (March 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810957345
• ISBN-13: 978-0810957343
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #503,806 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #32 in Books > Children's Books > History > Central & South America

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Read this one with a Hershey bar!, July 6, 2005

By 

K. Wilson (Upstate NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chocolate: Riches from the Rainforest (Hardcover)

Chocolate: Riches from the Rainforest tells the story of chocolate. The book begins by discussing where chocolate comes from and who discovered it. It goes on to describe how the ancient Maya and Aztecs drank chocolate regularly and offered it to their gods, and how the Spanish added sugar to chocolate to give it the sweet taste. The book also describes how chocolate making has changed over time and how it is made today. In addition, the book includes a glossary of terms used in the book and an author's note about some of the things he learned while writing the book.

I would recommend this book for ages 10 and 11. Children these ages will enjoy learning about the history of chocolate. I do not feel that this book would be appropriate for younger children due to the discussions of human sacrifices and slavery. I would recommend using this book during the summer as part of a fun segment on chocolate. Having chocolate available for the kids to eat would be ideal because it is difficult to get through this book without craving it. The book is filled with wonderful photographs and illustrations. These pictures add to the story by showing children the plant that chocolate comes from and some of the items that the Maya and Aztecs used to make and consume chocolate. There are also step-by-step photographs detailing how chocolate is made today.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Mayan Gold, September 5, 2007

By 

Grandma (NH, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Chocolate: Riches from the Rainforest (Hardcover)

Chocolate: Riches from the Rainforest is one of the most attractive books I've come across in some while. This is far more than a picture book though. Chock full of chocolate history, kids of nearly any age will find this book enticing.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Educational and Enjoyable, July 23, 2007

By 

Laura J. Johnson (Montana) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chocolate: Riches from the Rainforest (Hardcover)

I'd like to first point out that I gave this book 5 stars. Second...Amazon is selling this book at only $3.39 at this writing. This is a REALLY good deal and I'm going to buy the book. Now for my review:

I saw this book on display in the children's section of my local library. It has a very appealing cover to it and the word "Chocolate" written in it's title so...I HAD to check it out.

When I brought it home I thought it would be way to advanced for my 5 year old to be interested in but I wanted to read it myself. It is written for children maybe twice her age but she was VERY interested in the history of her favorite food and remained attentive to the whole book.

There were words and situations I had to give her a background on--such as what an African slave was/is. Unfortuneatly, slaves are still sometimes used in the production of chocolate to this day according to the author Robert Burleigh.

We loved the looks of this book...the lay-out, the yummy chocolate colors, photos, and illustrations are very eye appealing.

We now know a lot about the rainforest cacao (ca-COW) trees, the pods, the seeds and the complicated process that it goes through to become the chocolate we so love. Good thing we live in today's world. We also learned of chocolate's ancient infancy which at times was violent. Cacao was once only for royality and the very rich--not for 5 year old chocolate freaks like the one that lives in my home. We learned a lot and we loved this book!