How Sweet It Is (and Was): The History of Candy

by Ruth Freeman Swain, John O'Brien

Provides a colorfully illustrated review of how many popular candies came into being while explaining how they became associated with certain holiday celebrations, such as candy corn at Halloween and chocolate hearts for Valentine's Day.

Genres: Picture Books, History, Nonfiction, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 3, 2003

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

The general information on candy Ruth Freeman Swain provides in How Sweet It IS (and Was): The History of Candy (2003) is nicely interesting, is both enlightening and extensive but is also not that intensive. In other words, Freeman Swain's text for How Sweet It IS (and Was): The History of Candy does not really delve deeply and therefore presents a basic and not all that thorough introduction to candy and its history. However, this absence of narrative rigour does not really matter all that much, is not really problematic since How Sweet It IS (and Was): The History of Candy is a picture book meant for young readers and/or listeners from about the age of six to nine or so and is therefore also not meant to be comprehensive and all-encompassing. And while for adult me, what Ruth Freeman Swain features in How Sweet It IS (and Was): The History of Candy makes me majorly (and punnily) hungry for more, for my inner child the textual thematics and contents of How Sweet It IS (and Was): The History of Candy are more than sufficient (and not to mention that if young readers do want or require more, there is also a very good introductory bibliography included in How Sweet It IS (and Was): The History of Candy).

But while textually, while educationally speaking, what Freeman Swain provides in How Sweet It IS (and Was): The History of Candy works really nicely and equally provides more than decent enlightenment to and for the intended audience mentioned above, except that in the section of How Sweet It IS (and Was): The History of Candy on maple syrup, it is both inaccurate and kind of disrespectful that only the USA and Native Americans are mentioned since maple syrup is of course also produced in Canada, that Native Canadians have similar if not the same maple syrup culture and lore as Native Americans do the and that in fact Canada is actually more famous for its maple syrup than the United States is, sorry, but we (and that is both my inner child and adult I) jointly really do not enjoy John O'Brien's accompanying artwork for How Sweet It IS (and Was): The History of Candy all that much. For one, O'Brien's colour schemes are a bit too washed out and not sufficiently brightly hued for us and that we also think that alongside of the illustrations, there should also be some photographs of candy etc. for How Sweet It IS (and Was): The History of Candy. And for two, while I, while we do understand that John O'Brien's pictures are obviously supposed to be humorous and perhaps even slightly parodistic, especially O'Brien's artwork depicting Native Americans, it is politically incorrect, it is visually disrespectful and aesthetically makes us both hugely cringe.

So yes, especially due to my inner child and my adult reading self's active dislike of John O'Brien's illustrations for How Sweet It IS (and Was): The History of Candy, we simply cannot and will not consider a rating of more than three stars, and that while How Sweet It IS (and Was): The History of Candy is still to be recommended for the information on the history of candy Ruth Freeman Swain provides, well, I would definitely point out the issues I have encountered regarding maple syrup.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look at the history of candy, how it's made, and our obsession with it.
I was most interested in the timeline at the back of the book - had no clue candy hearts with imprinted words have been around since 1866.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you have a sweet tooth, you'll enjoy this nonfiction picture book about the history of candy in the United States. Includes a timeline, a bibliography (additional information and acknowledgements), and recipes for Sugar Paste, Vassar Fudge and "Belly Guts" Taffy.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the history of candy from ancient Egyptian times all the way to present day. The subject of the book alone is sure to garner the interest of children. What makes this book most interesting are the little known facts that are found throughout the book such as the fact that Queen Elizabeth's teeth turned black from chewing so many comfits and that the Aztecs and Mayans used the cacao beans for money. A candy time line and recipes can be found at the back of the book.

Themes: history of candy, various historical time period/cultures such as the Crusades bringing sugar to Europe, Spanish exploration, and Mayans and Incas.
Awards: National Council for Social Studies 2003
Grades 1-4

Classroom uses:

Timelines - Have students create a time line about a famous candy maker or about the history of one of their favorite candies.
Following directions and measurement - Make one of the recipes in the back of the book. How many 1/4 c = 1 cup. etc?

[Stephanie Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting and entertaining read about the history of candy. Covers several candy "areas" starting with ancient cultures; becomes very centered on European and American history as time goes on. Lots of interesting facts - but at the end of the day I didn't give it four stars just because it makes eating candy all that more appealing, and what mom needs that? :-) Includes a few recipes at the end.

[Stephen Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing entertaining, informative, educational with wonderful illustrations; all the ingredients for a delicious book. BRAVO!

Thank you for the loan Franklin Public Library.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author: Ruth Freeman Swain

Title: How Sweet It Is (and Was): A History of Candy

Publication Date: Oct. 2003

Annotation:
This book tells the history of candy from ancient Egyptian times to present day. The book presents interesting, little known facts about the history of candy and who influenced the creation of several types of candy.

Themes: history of candy, various historical time period/cultures

Ways to use the book with the children:
Students can create a time line about the life of a chosen famous candy maker or about the history of his/her favorite candy.

Research recipes of favorite candies and follow recipe for a classroom candy tasting. Recipes can be collected to create a classroom candy cookbook.

Awards: National Council for Social Studies 2003

[Hailey · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book tells about how candy is and was made in different times in different countries. It talks about how candy was made in the middle ages and how candy was used at royal banquets in the 16th and 17th centuries. Sculptures were made using candy and all different other things candy was used for.
I don't really like this book because it is a picture book but it is very very wordy and on a high reading level. I don't think kids that would be interested in how candy is made could read this book on their own.
I would still probably have this in my room so kids could try to read it and I might even read it for a read aloud just because it does have so many good facts in it.

[Shelby Church · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives the history of candy, dating back to the Romans. The illustrations of the candy are divine. The voice Swain gives this nonfiction book is what makes it come alive.
I like candy, I like books, I really like books about candy. I know my students will too.
This book would be great to read around halloween time, just to tease the students about candy. I would keep this book in my classroom library as well.

[Maddie Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book goes over the history of candy! How fun! From sugar canes to Hershey’s chocolate, this book is filled with stories of sweets. I think I would use this book in my future library! I think this would excite little kids to be ready about something they LOVE! What better subject to read about than candy? You could be creative and find some examples of healthy candy and teach nutrition along with this book.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goes over the history of candy -- from sugar canes to Hershey's chocolate.
Themes -- candy
The pictures in this books are very interesting (a spoon trebuchet launching sugar cubes). It is a good example of a pleasurable non-fiction book.

[Laramort · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this to my kids and we all need some candy now. It was cool to learn the history of candy. What a tradgedy that sugar and cocoa beans passed each other so often without being mixed together for years and years! Makes me appreciate my chcoolate chips in my cupboard!

[Jessica L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book traces the history of candy from ancient Roman times to the present day.

Themes: candy, industrial revolution

This could be tied to any number of historical periods. It could also be used in conjunction with the industrial revolution.

[Bonnie Pohlig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and informative. I think it would appeal to children quite well.

[CFAITC]

Learn the story of how certain favorite candies were created, such as fudge, Tootsie Rolls, and taffy.

[Ashley]

Great book filled with a great deal of info about CANDY!!!