Customer Reviews

Chocolate: Riches from the Rainforest

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

Most of us carry out an intense love affair with chocolate. To some, it is a fundamental part of our love affair with another human and to a few, it ignites the passion in their life. This book describes the history of chocolate, and like some foods, one wonders how it was first discovered. Until I read this book, I did not realize how chocolate is made. It is derived from the seeds inside the fruit of the tree and requires a great deal of processing before it reaches the form that we love. This was an interesting book to read, well illustrate it is a concise, yet thorough introduction to the history of one of my favorite foods.

This book is a fantastic and fascinating reference for both kids and adults. I've read selected pages to groups of students ranging in age from 10-15, and they've all loved it. Needless to say, I love it too! Burleigh's text is uncomplicated and easy to understand, and the photos and illustrations are rich. A great addition to a home or school library.

My 9 year old son just read this book as part of his study of Aztecs, Mayans and Incas. We both loved it. The information was organized, thorough and detailed just enough to keep his interest without becoming too long-winded. The pictures were great too!