The Dish on Food and Farming in Colonial America

November 1, 2011

Gr 4-6-Clear prose and accessible vocabulary give readers an interesting introduction to life in colonial America. Each volume contains four to five brief chapters, and although most of the information is about white settlers and colonists, facts about Native Americans and African slaves are included. Smatterings of unpleasant and/or gross details (e.g., toad powder as a cure for smallpox, bleeding as a medical cure-all, and the lack of indoor plumbing) that will capture and hold readers' interest are scattered throughout the books. Colorful illustrations, brief primary-source excerpts, and sidebar definitions of glossary terms supplement the texts. Although the large font and brief format limit the amount of background information and details that can be included, this set will attract an audience.

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.