What do you think?
Rate this book
Ice Cream: The Full Scoop
Cool and smooth and sweet, ice cream has long been a favourite treat. It cools you off when it's hot and is too delicious to resist even in cold weather. How did it get to be so scrumptious? Best-selling author/illustrator Gail Gibbons dishes out the latest scoop on ice cream production. Ice cream has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a mixture of snow, milk, and rice. Gail Gibbons details the many firsts in ice cream history, from the earliest ice cream crank to the original waffle cone. Children's mouths will be watering as they follow ice cream's journey from farm to factory to freezer.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
1 person is currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Gail Gibbons
222 books161 followersFrom gailgibbons.com: I was born in Oak Park, Illinois, in 1944. Even as a little child, I was always busy putting books together. Sometimes I would bind them with yarn to hold the pages together. I've always loved drawing and painting. I was also a very curious child. My parents tell me that I was always asking lots and lots of questions.
Later, I went on to the University of Illinois, where I studied graphic design. Then I moved to New York City, where I got a job doing artwork for television shows. Eventually I was asked to do the artwork for a children's show. While doing that show, some of the children asked me if I had ever thought of doing children's books. My mind immediately recalled how much I enjoyed doing that type of thing when I was a child. So I put an idea for a book together and right away a publisher bought it. That book was called Willy and His Wheel Wagon. Since then, over 170 books that I have written and illustrated have been published. The type of books I write are non-fiction books. This is because I love researching so much. I get to ask lots of questions, just like when I was a kid. I also get to travel and meet lots of interesting people. While doing research for my book Nature's Green Umbrella: Tropical Rain Forests, I traveled to two islands where there are tropical rain forests, Saba and Dominica. I also had a great time writing and illustrating the book. I get a lot of pleasure from doing the type of work I do.
Later, I went on to the University of Illinois, where I studied graphic design. Then I moved to New York City, where I got a job doing artwork for television shows. Eventually I was asked to do the artwork for a children's show. While doing that show, some of the children asked me if I had ever thought of doing children's books. My mind immediately recalled how much I enjoyed doing that type of thing when I was a child. So I put an idea for a book together and right away a publisher bought it. That book was called Willy and His Wheel Wagon. Since then, over 170 books that I have written and illustrated have been published. The type of books I write are non-fiction books. This is because I love researching so much. I get to ask lots of questions, just like when I was a kid. I also get to travel and meet lots of interesting people. While doing research for my book Nature's Green Umbrella: Tropical Rain Forests, I traveled to two islands where there are tropical rain forests, Saba and Dominica. I also had a great time writing and illustrating the book. I get a lot of pleasure from doing the type of work I do.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 24, 2025
*3.5/5
May 16, 2023
This book briefly covers the history of ice cream: from ancient China, to Marco Polo, to ice houses, the invention of the waffle cone, then switches to how ice cream is made. Brief enough to hold little ones’ attention, though perhaps best for an early elementary lesson—right before you make some ice cream!
March 5, 2013
Gail Gibbons’ books are a consistent part of my second grade classroom library. She masterfully presents informational text in a way that is accessible to young readers. Ice-Cream: The Full Scoop, is a great example this. Gibbons includes manageable chunks of information on each page along with the text features (chapters, headings, highlighted vocabulary, diagrams, labels) a reader would find in most informational books. Gibbons does not include a table of contents, glossary or index. She may not have wanted to overwhelm her young readers with too many technical features.
Ice-Cream: The Full Scoop, begins with a discussion of the origins of ice-cream. Gibbons writes, “No one really knows how or when the first ice-cream was made. Some believe that people mixed snow, milk and rice together in China about 3,000 years ago.” Gibbons then describes how ice-cream processes and consumers have changed over the last 700 years. After the introductory section about the history of ice-cream, the remaining sections are about ice-cream manufacturing. This part of the book is made more engaging buy infusing a visual narrative that shows a tour group in an ice-cream factory, learning about how ice-cream is processed. The end of the book features some vocabulary and definitions (ice-cream soda, a banana split, pie a la mode) that should appeal to most children and make them eager to sample this sweet treat!
Ice-Cream: The Full Scoop, begins with a discussion of the origins of ice-cream. Gibbons writes, “No one really knows how or when the first ice-cream was made. Some believe that people mixed snow, milk and rice together in China about 3,000 years ago.” Gibbons then describes how ice-cream processes and consumers have changed over the last 700 years. After the introductory section about the history of ice-cream, the remaining sections are about ice-cream manufacturing. This part of the book is made more engaging buy infusing a visual narrative that shows a tour group in an ice-cream factory, learning about how ice-cream is processed. The end of the book features some vocabulary and definitions (ice-cream soda, a banana split, pie a la mode) that should appeal to most children and make them eager to sample this sweet treat!
November 10, 2009
This informational text, by Gail Gibbons, gives readers an inside scoop on the history of ice cream. The first part of this book describes how ice cream was developed, beginning with the Chinese who mixed snow, milk and rice together. You continue to travel through time until reaching 1841, when Nancy Johnson invented an ice cream maker, which is all packed into the first twelve pages. The second part of the book goes into detail about the business of ice cream, beginning with the Jersey cow. Soon after the book arrives at an ice cream factory with a tour of the various steps necessary in the production of this popular treat. The captions and labels are packed with just as much information as the text itself, so ice cream lovers will definitely want to take a dip into this text.
July 17, 2020
A good little informational book for kids about how ice cream is made and a little of the history behind this sweet treat. I especially liked the historical bits-- like how the first waffle ice cream cone was made in 1904 when an ice cream vendor ran out of bowls and a kind waffle vendor offered him some of his waffles to use. I also thought it was fun to learn that ice cream sundaes were at first "Ice cream SUNDAYS" because they were served as a special treat on Sundays. When people began eating them on other days of the week, the spelling was changed.
I wasn't too enthralled with all the ice cream packaging information, but children who are curious about how ice cream is made will eat up this book! (No pun intended.)
I wasn't too enthralled with all the ice cream packaging information, but children who are curious about how ice cream is made will eat up this book! (No pun intended.)
February 13, 2021
The history of ice cream is in this book in a very shortened and brief form. I appreciated that aspect greatly! I think it was neat to see how people ate iced dishes in a time when refrigeration was not available or even heard of, and this book does a good job of it! I think it was a little above Oliver's attention span range but he perked up a lot at the descriptions of how it is made and what ingredients are in it. His dad has made ice cream before at work, and Chef Oliver wants to learn how.
I would estimate that a first or second grader might be more the target age for this book instead of a Kindergartener, but it is a good book nonetheless.
I would estimate that a first or second grader might be more the target age for this book instead of a Kindergartener, but it is a good book nonetheless.
August 23, 2024
Ice Cream: The Full Scoop by Gail Gibbons is a “sweet” nonfiction picture book. I love all of Gibbon’s books and this one is a favorite! It’s perfect for any ice cream lover or history and science enthusiast. Gibbons’s illustrations are whimsically realistic and wonderfully detailed. Within the artwork, more text details as well as labels and captions are woven in but do not necessarily have to be read with the main text. Gibbons writes in a narrative manner and weaves interesting history and science in to the story of ice cream. Grab a dish or cone of some ice cream and give Ice Cream: The Full Scoop a read and “get the full scoop” on the sweet, frozen treat! Highly recommended.
August 9, 2020
I like this book because it tells what happened far back in time. Ice cream is delicious so I want to read all the ice cream books in the world and grow up and make ice cream 4,000 times a month.
-Charlotte
Age 6
-Charlotte
Age 6
September 14, 2023
It was not great to see so many white people but a lot of Black history in ice cream history left out. There was more diversity in actual history and a lot of that wasn't shown. I liked how they showed all the machines and all of that process, but there was information missing.
September 12, 2018
I really liked it. Really informative ,but fun and interesting to for kids..I loved the illustrations.
October 11, 2018
A good explanation about how ice cream is made. I'd really like photos but the pictures were great. I didn't know about the adding of air into ice cream.
June 4, 2019
I like this book. It is a perfect group read because it can lead to some great projects with ICE CREAM! :)
March 5, 2017
History of ice cream.
April 20, 2012
Gail Gibbons does an excellent job at making her book about ice cream completely informational. Every child loves the sweet, coolness that ice-cream provides and they will also be engaged in this story about how it's made. Gibbons discusses all aspects of the production of ice-cream, from the beginning to what it is now. Children will gain so much information about ice-cream was made when it was first invented. Not only does Gibbons discuss the invention of ice cream, but also the components of an ice-cream cone. For example, the invention of the waffle cone is discussed.
This book includes many accurate facts about the production of ice-cream. The author conveys all aspects of this production, in authentic and documented material. How ice cream used to be made and how it is made now, is an example about the factual details that Gibbons discusses. The information is presented in ways that are organized and in an appropriate sequence for readers to understand. From the first production of the tasty treat to the overwhelming amount of ice-cream that is produced today, Gibbons exposes every aspect of ice-cream. The illustrations and colorful pictures that are paired with this book make the format and layout extremely appealing to young children. They make the context of the book completely accessible to children, and support their understanding of the steps and processes that the author is trying to convey. Along with the descriptive details in the illustrations, the writing style is clear and enthusiastic, which engages readers even more. The words and sentences are written in a way that is easy for students to understand and is within many reading levels. The author's enthusiasm provides more interest within the readers mind.
I thought this book was very creative and informational. I never knew many of the facts about ice-cream that the author described, and I enjoyed the engaging, enthusiastic vibe that the author portrayed. I think that this book could be very creative and useful within the classroom. Story stretchers and activities could be brought into the class along with this book to engage students in a science lesson, or simply as a fun activity. I think all age groups could benefit from reading this informative book.
This book includes many accurate facts about the production of ice-cream. The author conveys all aspects of this production, in authentic and documented material. How ice cream used to be made and how it is made now, is an example about the factual details that Gibbons discusses. The information is presented in ways that are organized and in an appropriate sequence for readers to understand. From the first production of the tasty treat to the overwhelming amount of ice-cream that is produced today, Gibbons exposes every aspect of ice-cream. The illustrations and colorful pictures that are paired with this book make the format and layout extremely appealing to young children. They make the context of the book completely accessible to children, and support their understanding of the steps and processes that the author is trying to convey. Along with the descriptive details in the illustrations, the writing style is clear and enthusiastic, which engages readers even more. The words and sentences are written in a way that is easy for students to understand and is within many reading levels. The author's enthusiasm provides more interest within the readers mind.
I thought this book was very creative and informational. I never knew many of the facts about ice-cream that the author described, and I enjoyed the engaging, enthusiastic vibe that the author portrayed. I think that this book could be very creative and useful within the classroom. Story stretchers and activities could be brought into the class along with this book to engage students in a science lesson, or simply as a fun activity. I think all age groups could benefit from reading this informative book.
February 17, 2010
I scream, you scream, we all scream for….ICE CREAM!
In Ice Cream : The Full Scoop, Gail Gibbons proves yet again that she is a “master of nonfiction”. She brings information and fun to a delicious topic guaranteed to catch the attention of elementary school students.
With her trademark watercolor illustrations and simple, yet informative text, Gibbons treats the reader to a history of ice cream. From its simple beginnings in China (a mixture of milk, snow, and rice) to the modern pasteurization and homogenization processes, we follow ice cream’s development into the frozen treat we know and love today. Gibbons’ use of labels in her illustrations adds to and extends the information learned in the text. She also throws in bits of trivia throughout the book. Did you know that the ice cream cone was invented in 1904 at the St. Louis World’s Fair when an ice cream vendor ran out of paper cups? Lucky for us a waffle vendor was next to him!
One of the best things about Gibbons’ books is that they appeal to many types of learners, giving each student a different experience. As a school librarian, I appreciate this. Through her illustrations and labels, she gives a visual learner the chance to look through the pictures, read the labels, and understand the message of the book. Through her text, which is full of technical terms and definitions, she appeals to the reader who is looking for information. Through her book as a whole, she catches both the eye and the mind with her watercolors and her text full of history, facts, and trivia.
Pair this book up with Bertram T. Knight’s From Cow to Ice Cream and you will be satisfying any student’s questions about and cravings for ice cream!
March 22, 2015
INFORMATIONAL TEXT
The first 11 pages of the book talk all about the history of ice-cream, where it originated, how it was made, and the invention of the hand-cranked ice-cream maker. The rest of the book is all about the ice-cream business. Readers are taken on a tour of an ice-cream production journey. Readers begin with milking a cow and follow the production all the way until the ice-cream is sold to people. The illustrations in this book are extremely helpful. They have pictures of the process that are discussed and they have labels. This allows the reader to understand what the author is talking about. This book goes very in-depth when describing the process of making ice-cream.
I would use this book in a 3rd grade class and below. I would maybe use it in a fourth or fifth class, but I would definitely have to come up with a way to make it a bit more challenging. I think this would be a great book to end the school year on. After EOGs have finished up a great way to relax, but still learn, would be to read this book and let the students make their own ice-cream! I know as teachers, a lot of times we become so involved with getting students prepared for the high-stakes tests, that we forget that this is a stressful time for them. Doing an activity like reading a book and making ice-cream, would be a great memory to end the school year on. If you wanted to add a lesson with it , you could do a writers workshop about writing out their process for doing something. This could serve as a great example for them. They could write about their steps when getting ready in the morning, or how to make a sandwich.
But my favorite idea would still involve making ice-cream!
The first 11 pages of the book talk all about the history of ice-cream, where it originated, how it was made, and the invention of the hand-cranked ice-cream maker. The rest of the book is all about the ice-cream business. Readers are taken on a tour of an ice-cream production journey. Readers begin with milking a cow and follow the production all the way until the ice-cream is sold to people. The illustrations in this book are extremely helpful. They have pictures of the process that are discussed and they have labels. This allows the reader to understand what the author is talking about. This book goes very in-depth when describing the process of making ice-cream.
I would use this book in a 3rd grade class and below. I would maybe use it in a fourth or fifth class, but I would definitely have to come up with a way to make it a bit more challenging. I think this would be a great book to end the school year on. After EOGs have finished up a great way to relax, but still learn, would be to read this book and let the students make their own ice-cream! I know as teachers, a lot of times we become so involved with getting students prepared for the high-stakes tests, that we forget that this is a stressful time for them. Doing an activity like reading a book and making ice-cream, would be a great memory to end the school year on. If you wanted to add a lesson with it , you could do a writers workshop about writing out their process for doing something. This could serve as a great example for them. They could write about their steps when getting ready in the morning, or how to make a sandwich.
But my favorite idea would still involve making ice-cream!
March 9, 2011
Gibbons, Gail. (2006). Ice Cream: the Full Scoop. New York: Holiday House.
Literary Genre: Informational (Non-fiction Picture Book)
Gail Gibbons brings everyone’s favorite cool treat to life with this brightly water-colored, cheerfully illustrated book. Gibbons shares the history of ice cream from a snow, rice, and milk mixture to its modern factory made mixture we enjoy today. Children will love discovering all of ice cream’s interesting facts, such as, the first ice-cream maker, which cows produce the creamiest milk, who invented the ice cream cone, how sundaes got their name, and much more.
I chose to read this book because a student I work with loves history and ice cream is her favorite treat, this was a perfect combination of those things. The student especially liked the illustrations with captions to explain how the ice-cream maker and different processes at the factory works. I especially liked how Gibbons included the names of people involved with ice cream, so that students could be encouraged to expand their knowledge by reading more about Nancy Johnson, Marco Polo, and others. Gail Gibbons is well known for her non-fiction picture books and her work is respected because she provides accurate information in an attractive and interesting manner that is well suited for children of all ages.
Literary Genre: Informational (Non-fiction Picture Book)
Gail Gibbons brings everyone’s favorite cool treat to life with this brightly water-colored, cheerfully illustrated book. Gibbons shares the history of ice cream from a snow, rice, and milk mixture to its modern factory made mixture we enjoy today. Children will love discovering all of ice cream’s interesting facts, such as, the first ice-cream maker, which cows produce the creamiest milk, who invented the ice cream cone, how sundaes got their name, and much more.
I chose to read this book because a student I work with loves history and ice cream is her favorite treat, this was a perfect combination of those things. The student especially liked the illustrations with captions to explain how the ice-cream maker and different processes at the factory works. I especially liked how Gibbons included the names of people involved with ice cream, so that students could be encouraged to expand their knowledge by reading more about Nancy Johnson, Marco Polo, and others. Gail Gibbons is well known for her non-fiction picture books and her work is respected because she provides accurate information in an attractive and interesting manner that is well suited for children of all ages.
March 8, 2011
As I was reading this book, I was wishing for more: a glossary (emulsifier?), an index,bolder font for words that played key roles I liked the beginning, as sketchy it was, about historical details, and the creation by the first ice cream maker is something young readers could enjoy. I am really just not sure how to use in an elementary classroom, especially in the upper grades it is intended for. I know different organizations liked it but somehow it felt inconsistent. I don't think I would use the entire text in my classroom unless I can find a reader-friendly glossary of the terms used in the second half of the text. My dilemna is whether there is another text that tells this same important story?
May 13, 2012
I thought this was a fun read! The author clearly and thoroughly illustrates in words and in pictures the history of ice cream making. I enjoyed how the author used colorful and elaborate illustrates to show the reader the ice cream making process. It was interesting to see how ice cream was once considered a luxury, and is now considered a treat.
While I enjoyed the book, I thought it was a bit complex. When I say complex, I mean the vocabulary used to describe particular machinery needed to make ice cream. I feel the author should have provided some type of glossary so students could have defined the complex words. Yet on the other hand, I feel students would enjoy reading a book about a treat they enjoy eating!
While I enjoyed the book, I thought it was a bit complex. When I say complex, I mean the vocabulary used to describe particular machinery needed to make ice cream. I feel the author should have provided some type of glossary so students could have defined the complex words. Yet on the other hand, I feel students would enjoy reading a book about a treat they enjoy eating!
March 17, 2016
Ice cream, ice cream, we all scream for ice cream. One of Americas favorite treats is ice cream. Gail Gibbons informs us on the history of ice cream. Readers from the ages of 5-9 will be capitvated with the illustrations as they learn about the origins of ice cream. There is a wealth of knowledge in this book. Students will not only learn how ice cream is made but who invented ice cream and how the process of making ice cream has change but yet remains the same. This book can be used as a research tool or connected to a field trip.
December 8, 2011
Genre: Information
Copyright: 2008
I chose this book because I am no less than OBSESSED with ice cream! I love Gail Gibbons books and I hadn't read this one yet. I love the story line, obviously, but Gibbons always presents information in a way that's imaginative and fun to read. The pictures add great detail and I think I might try my hand at making my own ice cream now that I have seen how!
Copyright: 2008
I chose this book because I am no less than OBSESSED with ice cream! I love Gail Gibbons books and I hadn't read this one yet. I love the story line, obviously, but Gibbons always presents information in a way that's imaginative and fun to read. The pictures add great detail and I think I might try my hand at making my own ice cream now that I have seen how!
May 1, 2012
A very simple and beautiful water-colored informational text for young readers who want to know how ice cream is made. The facts are there but in a creative way so as not to bore the readers. Children could read this book along with a project of making ice cream in the class room and it would be win win for students and teachers alike. Enjoy a scoop and fall in love with reading-- what more could students and teachers ask for?
April 8, 2011
Provides excellent information if you ever wanted to know about ice cream. Furthermore, this is a good story to have many extension opportunities for children. I used this book in a 1st grade Math lesson and compared different had students share their favorite flavor and type of ice cream and we made a table and graph of this information.
April 20, 2012
This book integrates social studies in that it examines the history of ice cream and how it changed over time to be what we enjoy today. It goes on to explain how ice cream is made now and the technology that goes into making it. I would follow the reading of this book with a lesson on physical changes and then make ice cream with the class.
Recommended grade level: 5
Recommended grade level: 5
April 26, 2012
Gail Gibbons does a great job with this book. It's very informative of how ice cream is made and how ice cream actually started being made. Children will be engaged in this book because they will be interested in how one of their favorite food is made! The illustrations are fun and they complement the text extremely well. Overall, this is a great book that children will enjoy reading.
June 4, 2012
As a first grade teacher, I use many of Gail Gibbons' books in my science curriculum to introduce and clarify many concepts. She is dedicated to the younger learners and is able to teach a difficult concept in an easy to understand way. "Ice Cream: The Full Scoop" has many examples and pictures to assist in the understanding of ice cream's history and current state. Terrific!
December 8, 2012
As a huge dessert lover, when I came across this book, I was instantly drawn in. Everyone loves a sweet and cool treat of some kind, and to learn what goes into the ice cream process is appealing. The author does a great job in presenting the information in a fervent way. Just make sure you have access to something to tame your taste buds after reading! ; )
August 13, 2016
This awesome nonfiction book tells us the story of ice cream, a favorite treat of lots of kids and grownups! Informative, engaging text along with colorful illustrations tells us the history of ice cream; the commercial process of making ice cream, and some of the different ways to enjoy it. This will be great to have in my classroom library, but I'm sure it'll make me hungry!
January 8, 2017
As usual, Gail Gibbons gives younger children a wonderful look at a non-fiction topic--this time the history of ice cream. The whimsical illustrations are characteristic of Gibbons books, but these are a little more detailed than some of her books, with some more like diagrams. The information is factual and presented in an easy-to-understand format that holds children's attention.
February 4, 2016
A great little history of how ice cream came to be. It also covers how ice cream has been made throughout the years. It goes over the different flavors and the different ways we eat ice cream.
Great illustrations with lots of fun stuff to look at.
Great illustrations with lots of fun stuff to look at.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews