How the Cookie Crumbled: The True (and Not-So-True) Stories of the Invention of the Chocolate Chip Cookie

by Gilbert Ford

In this unique and clever picture book, Gilbert Ford sheds a little light on everyone’s favorite sweet treat—the chocolate chip cookie—and reminds readers everywhere that just because a story is told doesn’t mean it’s true.

Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!
Mmmmm!

Everyone loves chocolate chip cookies! But not everyone knows where they came from. Meet Ruth Wakefield, the talented chef and entrepreneur who started a restaurant, wrote a cookbook, and invented this delicious dessert. But just how did she do it, you ask? That’s where things get messy!

So sit back and grab a cookie to read a story—or three—about how this round, crispy, chocolatey piece of perfection came to be. Which tale is true? Well, what do you think?

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Biography, Food, Childrens, Cooking, History

Hardcover

First published October 24, 2017

About the author

Gilbert Ford grew up in Jackson, Mississippi, and moved to New York to attend Pratt Institute. After graduating, he worked as a designer and illustrator for a giftware company, creating puzzles, games, stickers, stationery, and activity books for children, before setting out on his own in 2007.  He currently lives and works in Brooklyn, NY.  His toys have won several Openheimer awards, and his illustrations have been recognized by Communication Arts, 3 x 3, American Illustration Chosen, The Society of Illustrators, and The Society of Publication Designers. He is the author and illustrator of his first picture book published by Disney/Hyperion, entitled FLYING LESSONS that hit the shelves in Spring, 2010. He is also the illustrator of the popular Pseudonymous Bosch Secret Series published by Little, Brown, and Baby’s Favorite Rhymes to Sign published by Three Rivers Press/Random House.

Reviews

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of inventor of the chocolate chip cookie and three possible origin stories of how it was invented.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A refreshing not too cutesy children's biography.

I very much like that it stays focused on the individual, and the writing is age appropriate without defaulting to making up dialogue or pretending to know exactly what she was thinking.

I also appreciate that it mentions her background and education, and discusses the myths then analyzes each. Yay for impromptu lessons on critical thinking! Double yay for crediting a clever lady and giving her her due, and showing hard background work establishing herself, instead of shrugging off her success as a lucky accident. (Which i feel like I'm running across a lot in women's biographies!)

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this picture book biography of the inventor of the chocolate chip cookie! Definitely a page-turner! And now I want cookies!

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved learning where Tollhouse Chocolate Chip Cookies came from!

[Carol Gordon Ekster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a different kind of picture book biography. Cleverly written with lots of cooking words baked in. Every word intentional. Love the illustrations and how it was formatted. Well done!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now I need a cookie or two or probably ten!

[Brook Donatelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book that shows the history and successes of the women who created the chocolate chip cookie. I enjoyed that it actually showed her education and what led up to her success. It was something interesting to read and not only is an academic read but could be added into the category of women’s history too! I love how they included the recipe, too.

[Mrs. Melaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever wonder how chocolate chip cookies got invented? It is generally agreed they were first created by Ruth Wakefield in her Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts. Embedded here in the middle of Wakefield’s life story, all three different versions of the cookies’ origin stories are narrated. In a genius move, Ford challenges readers to use the information they learn about what kind of person Ruth Wakefield was to decide for themselves which version is probably the true one. This provides an excellent opportunity for young readers to begin learning how to use known facts plus common sense to pick through conflicting or fake stories to determine the truth. Bonus: Wakefield’s cookie recipe is included. The unattractive color palette is a drawback as is the unflattering way Wakefield’s facial expressions are portrayed in several of the scenes.

[Heather Stigall · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I read the opening lines of this book, I was ready to do as instructed—sit back, grab a cookie (any excuse to eat a cookie), and turn the page to find out the ways the chocolate chip cookie could have been invented. And that’s the key to what makes this nonfiction book unique—it discusses the ways the famous cookie could have been invented (because no one knows for sure) and then discusses the probability of which theories are most likely true. Rather than a straight-forward approach to state the facts, Gilbert Ford offers some facts, some theories, and some prompts to help the reader analyze the text. This book covers history, inventions, business, a woman entrepreneur, and cookies! I hope you grab yourself a cookie and enjoy a reading of HOW THE COOKIE CRUMBLED.

[Norkett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story that I have never wondered about, but it gets one thinking. I like the three ways that were laid out as to how the cookie could have come to be. The story had my Mom and I interested in learning more about Ruth Wakefield, her cookbook, and restaurant so took to the internet to do a little research. Thanks to the author for clueing us into how the cookie may have come to be and for get us interested so much we tracked down Ruth's cookbook.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent nonfiction story about how the chocolate chip cookie was invented. The illustrations are great and the story is told in an energetic and interesting way. Kids would really love this one.

[Yapha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fun look at how the chocolate chip cookie was invented by Ruth Wakefield, comparing the different legends. It should come with a warning though -- you will need chocolate chip cookies after reading this book! Highly recommended for grades 1 and up.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have heard this story. I enjoyed this retelling.
I am not sure how I feel about the 3 possible stories of how these nummy cookies came to be but...
I guess it is good deductive reasoning and you can decide. All we really need to know is that they are DELIGHTFUL!

[Suebee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a GREAT picture book biography for kids! High interest and the three "invention stories" are clearly explained! Wonderful. Other picture book biography authors should take note.

[Abbie Zuhlke · Rating 5 out of 5]

How the Cookie Crumbled. The True Story (and Not-So-True) Stories of the Invention of the Chocolate Chip Cookie is an informative story book. It details the potential ways that chocolate chip cooking inventor, Ruth Wakefield, made her first batch of the cookies we all love so dearly today. Ruth always loved being in the kitchen and when it came time, she attended college to study nutrition. After college, she took a job as a high school culinary teacher and met her husband, Kenneth. A few years later, the couple opened a restaurant called the Toll House Inn. The restaurant was immensely successful! Somehow, Ruth created the first chocolate chip cookie, but no one is sure exactly how she did it! Nonetheless, her Toll House Chocolate Crunch Cookies were a hit! She shared her recipe in a local newspaper and was even featured on the Betty Crocker show. All this publicity placed her in the eye of Nestle and they worked with her to create a specific “chip” shape for their chocolate and put her recipe on all of their packaging!

The overall themes of this book are perseverance and passion. Ruth loved cooking. She used this passion to reach people all throughout the country. Her passion was thoroughly noticed which enabled her to partner with huge companies and be featured on popular TV shows. Despite having the obstacle of the Great Depression in the way, Ruth was determined to open her restaurant. She demonstrated perseverance by remaining optimistic even when things weren’t initially working out.

I liked this book because it recites the story of a woman whose contributions to society often go unnoticed. Although it was made to explain the history of the chocolate chip cookie, it is done in a very approachable way for children. The illustrations really bring the story to life and engage children. Plus, everybody loves chocolate chip cookies, yet few know how they came to be, and this book solves that problem!

I recommend this book because it helps children explore the world of cooking. Although culinary education use to be involved in schools, it is no longer offered in many districts. By adding books like this into the library, students are given an option to explore their interests. The book also offers a recipe at the end of the book which could elicit a fun lesson or inspire students to go home and ask their parents if they can cook or bake.

[Martha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This true and "not so true" account of how Ruth Wakefield invented the chocolate cookie is chock full of goodies. She grew up fascinated with creating food with her grandmother, and eventually went to college to study nutrition. Along the way she married, and followed her food passion by starting the Toll House Inn with her husband. There is a mystery though, as the restaurant became famous, Ruth invented the Toll House Chocolate Chip cookie, but how did she do it? There are 3 choices in this solve your own chocolate chip cookie mystery adventure, plus the recipe for Ruth's famous Toll House Chocolate Crunch cookies. There's also an informative author's note at the end, sharing a mini biography of the inventor's life. A fun story about a tasty treat that kids will enjoy.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn’t love the chocolate chip cookie? So to hear the story of Wakefield, the undisputed creator of the classic chocolate chip cookie, was pretty fun. Especially because the origin of the creation of how the cookie cake to be IS actually a bit of a debate- was it a happy accident or intentional? Most think it’s likely intentional because of Wakefield’s research and drive in opening a kitchen with her husband in a toll house. Hence, the Nestle toll house cookie!

Entertaining AND informational.

[BiblioBickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Female chef, entrepreneur, and recipe inventor Ruth Wakefield is featured in this non-fiction examination of how the chocolate chip cookie came to be. Includes three different versions of the recipe's invention and a brief discussion of the merit of each. Great for encouraging critical thinking with young read-aloud audiences. Not a biography (no timeline, does not cover full lifespan). Best as read aloud for ages 5-7/K-2.

[Robin Loughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! The story is fun to read, and follow along with the colorful pictures. The most amazing thing is learning the true story of where the Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe came from! In all the years I have enjoyed the cookies, I never even thought about it including "toll house." I was amazed to find out why the cookies include that phrase and the person behind the invention of the cookie recipe. Fascinating read for children and adults!

[Kylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great informational text to be paired with a social studies lesson about history and inventions and history of chocolate chocolate chips and chocolate chip cookies. Original recipe is included. Could bring the cookies in for students to try and notice the cookie recipe is on the Nestle Toll House package. Could also be a great writing prompt in the middle of the book to write opinions of which theory is true.

[Brittney Lozano · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a fun way to show students how a famous cookie was invented. Not only does it give information in a fun way, but it is also a biography about a woman who created the recipe! This book can be a read-aloud when studying women inventors, or just for fun. When reading, a fun activity to do with younger grades would be to make chocolate chip cookies. Not only will they learn the recipe from a book they read, but they also learn a few baking skills.

[Samantha Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

An informational book on my favorite thing in the whole world...chocolate chip cookies! The book talks about the creator of the special cookie and her life leading up to and after creating the cookie, Ruth Wakefield. It also talks about the different ways the cookie came to be, since it's never been said exactly what happened. It gives kids the opportunity to think on their own. You could take this book and make a baking lesson out of it, if you're willing!

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 8-year-olds loved this book. A book about the invention of chocolate chip cookies- who wouldn’t?! Great background information, and different theories that have been postulated about how the famous recipe came to be. I appreciated the way the author walked us through what is known, what is not, and what information we do have to deduce what probably really happened. Also, it is weird to think of a world before chocolate chip cookies.

[Lauren Millard · Rating 4 out of 5]

So there are three kind of stories behind how the chocolate chip cookie was invented but I don’t think it was an accident at all. We loved reading this one.

Also- I was just thinking of that episode of friends where Pheobe makes Monica make like tons of batches of cookies trying to figure out the “secret family recipe” of a French ancestor named… “nestle tollhouse” lol then they realize the recipe is on the bag! 😂

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three possible origins of the chocolate chip cookie: which is true? The author gives 3 options that he found, and if I were doing this as a presentation, I would stop there and have the kids discuss which is most and least likely. The author then pokes holes in 2 of the origin stories. Did the kids agree? This would be a good Information Literacy exercise for early grades (K-2)

[Nicole Malkovits · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe that this story would be a great hit with students in a classroom. This book would be a great interactive read aloud in teaching the students about the ways that this book tells how the chocolate chip cookie has been invented and you can even give the students a cookie to keep them engaged. This is a very engaging topic for students i believe.

[Karli Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I personally loved this book! I thought it was very fun and engaging, but also informative. I thought it was great that the author included various possible stories of origins. I felt that it added a sense of mystery to the story. It leaves readers wondering about the text to create further investigation.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked learning the background to the name Tollhouse Cookies and how Nestle went from making chocolate bars to chocolate chips. It would be fun for kids to speculate how Ruth Wakefield came up with her chocolate crunch cookie recipe.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this informational book about the history of how the chocolate chip cookie came to be. Great pictures and I liked how there are three different explanations. It would be fun to have kids discuss which seems most likely to be true. This will be a fun book to share with students.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both my daughter and I found this story interesting. A great conversation starter, given the conflicting stories about the birth of the chocolate chip cookie. We weren't fans of the illustrations, however.