The Story Behind Toilets

School Library Journal

Gr 3–5—These books live up to their promise to "uncover the hidden facts behind everyday things." Price explains how chocolate was discovered and became popular, its ingredients, the chocolate-making process, and how companies like Hershey and Cadbury became successful. Bread covers the history of the staple and its importance, the harvesting of grains, and the equipment used to bring it "From Fields to Tables." Readers will learn, for example, that bagels were originally created in the shape of a stirrup to honor the King of Poland. Toilets covers the history of the convenience and of indoor plumbing and sewer systems, waste treatment, and the use of "toilet-to-tap" systems (which should elicit plenty of "yucks"). The well-organized texts are informative and clearly written, and the numerous color photographs and drawings are eye-catching and complement the narratives well. These titles provide a lot of information in a friendly format that is great for reluctant readers. First choices for report writing.—Stephanie Farnlacher, Trace Crossings Elementary School, Hoover, AL