A History of Desserts (Yummy #1)

In this vibrant visual tour of favorite modern-day treats, brown-skinned, green-haired sprite Peri, clad in spectacles and a yellow apron, along with colorful companions Fee and Fada, offer a global and historical overview of seven desserts: ice cream, cake, brownies, donuts, pie, gummies, and cookies. Chapters provide an in-depth history: the ice cream chapter, for example, covers the origins of the treat, from an ancient Roman emperor’s penchant for eating ice with berry and wine toppings to the invention of mochi, making various pit stops that explain the iced treat’s variations—including Korean bingsu, Iranian bastani sonnati, and the invention of the waffle cone. Other sections follow the same format, including content such as important dessert-world figures, the science behind kitchen confections, and recipes for the hands-on learner. World maps at the top of each chapter pinpoint the origins of desserts mentioned. Elliot’s debut shares delightfully delectable goodies in an easily digestible format that stays light and comical. Whimsical illustrations, reminiscent of colorful vintage sweet shops, complement the subject matter. Ages 8–12. Agent: Steven Salpeter, Curtis Brown. (Nov.)