The Life and Times of Corn [Hardcover]

Charles Micucci (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

 What grain has seeds in all colors of the rainbow, can grow twenty feet high, is often harvested by moonlight, and is more valuable to the United States than gold?

As the New York times Book Review said, “Micucci knows how to grab his audience” and is “canny about organizing his material.” Building upon his successful series of creative science for the younger grades, the author-illustrator of the LIFE AND TIMES series focuses on the science, uses and history of American’s most prevalent crop. A master of fascinating trivia, he knows just how to draw readers in and expand on a seemingly small topic.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Who knew those little kernels contained so much history and lore? In a conversational and lively narrative, the author follows the growth, cultivation and shocking number of uses of this “a-maize-ing” plant. Sensitive to children’s sensibilities, he delights in explaining large statistics . . . In a clear, logical order, punctuated by timelines, maps and fun corn facts, the author introduces the history and life cycle of this staple. Columbus sought gold when he came to the New World; little did he know how much those yellow kernels were really worth . . . Informational picture book."—Kirkus Reviews

". . . entertaining and informative mix of bite-size scientific and historical facts and mouth-watering watercolors . . . Along with a dazzling variety of multicolored cobs and kernels, the pictures feature animated scarecrows and human figures planting, harvesting, and, most of all, chowing down on this worldwide staple . . . young readers will never take their morning cornflakes for granted again."—Booklist

About the Author

Charles Micucci’s other books with Houghton Mifflin include The Life and Times of the Honeybee and The Life and Times of the Peanut. He lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children; None edition (September 7, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618507515
• ISBN-13: 978-0618507511
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #972,264 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #66 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Agriculture

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This was an amazingly detailed and, believe it or not, a FUN book about this essential grain!, November 16, 2009

By 

D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Life and Times of Corn (Hardcover)

Columbus returned to Europe describing all the amazing land laden with treasures, but if he described maize to them they probably were unimpressed. People look for gold, diamonds and other treasures, but one of the most valuable we have is corn. Livestock feed for animals, "sweetener for soda, juice, cakes, cookies, and candy," on the cob, canned, frozen, creamed, cornmeal, corn syrup, margarine, mayonnaise, salad dressing, cooking oil, cereal, paint, ink, artificial silk, laundry starch, disposable diapers, baby powder, plastics, garbage bags, batteries, soap, maizolith ("rubber substitute"), paper . . . get the picture? Corn is a treasure of many uses.

Corn was being grown widely in the Americas by the time Columbus showed up and was a "way of life" to the Native American. This book describes the parts of the corn plant, discusses the varieties, how they can thrive in different climates, tells us about the history of popcorn and how it is popped, you'll learn about its planting and growing cycle, how the plant reproduces, how it is harvested (by hand or by combine), the leading corn areas (around the world and in the states), how "improved farming techniques have increased corn harvests in the United States," its many uses (see paragraph one!), and much more!

I never, ever have seen so much information about corn in any book, let alone a childrens' book. This was an amazingly detailed and, believe it or not, a fun book about this essential grain. I learned several things I didn't know about corn and now will have a new appreciation for it when I pass by corn fields in the summer. Armed with little bits of trivia I'm sure to wow my fellow passengers in the car. Do you know why dent corn is not harvested until the plant looks totally dead (or "straw colored)? I do!

5.0 out of 5 stars Learning something new everyday, March 31, 2011

By 

J. Weiss "pleasure reader" (Frankenmuth, Mi) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Life and Times of Corn (Hardcover)

I grew up on a sweetcorn farm; Dad grew 20 acres of my favorite summertime treat. We plant 100 acres of field corn to feed the dairy herd on the farm I own with my husband. I picked up this book to get an idea how much I could include in an educational project for 4th graders I am planning. Wow! As a farmer and as an educator, I am impressed. Micucci has covered history, varieties, uses, and so much more in this slim and engaging volume. His facts are correct as of publication date (American farmers are always improving yields, so check the latest NASS census for up to date information). The illustrations and short factoids keep one reading on... My farm family learned lots of new facts to use at this year's farm visit.