Hot Diggity Dog: The History of the Hot Dog

This quirky picture book history of the hot dog traces its origins from ancient Roman sausage to its arrival in the U.S. (enter the hot dog bun) and beyond. Smith’s impish cartoon figures are pictured gobbling up dogs at a ballgame and working on a factory line cranking out links. Trivia is included on side panels (ketchup was inspired by a “salty fish sauce called ‘ketsiap’ ” from China). The book does note that hot dogs aren’t nutritionally ideal and asks readers to contemplate hot dogs of the future (“How about a healthy celery dog...?”). An energetic combination of history and food for thought. Ages 5–8. (May)