The Biography of Potatoes

by Ellen Rodger

Book Overview

The ancient Incas grew potatoes on terraced farms in the Andes Mountains around 200 B.C. Spanish conquistadors brought the potato from South America to Europe in the 1500s. Since then, the potato has helped keep peasants from starving during times of famine, fed armies, and is today the world's most popular vegetable. The Biography of Potatoes underlines the importance of this source of nutrition throughout human history. Topics include - What is...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0778724921
• ISBN13: 9780778724926
• Release Date: March 2007
• Publisher: Crabtree Classics
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 8.7" x 9.7"
• Age Range: 8 to 11 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 6

Customer Reviews

Potatoes Through History

Crabtree Publishing Company has made available a book series called "How Did They Get Here?" Most of the books deal with a food item and trace the history of the subject and its influence on history and how its development was influenced by geography. Some of the topics in this interesting series are: bananas, chocolate, coffee, cotton, rice, rubber, silk, spices, sugar, tomatoes, vanilla, wheat, wool, and of course the humble potato, at the apex of nature's bounty. These clever "Biography of..." books are targeted towards youngsters 7-14 .My personal favorite in the series is the Biography of Potatoes by Ellen Rodger, a writer whose last name lacks a final s. The stated interest level of this book, grades 4-9, seems a bit limiting since those loveable potatoes are of interest to readers of all ages. There's much to like about this book. Even a reluctant reader will be spellbound by the myriad pictures in the book, grand potato flavored pictures in different sizes, mediums, and time periods. I like how the mixtures are blended and mixed; modern lifelike photos may appear opposite colonial period paintings or black and white etchings. A few of the pictures are depressing and almost too graphic to view, such as the poor potatoes suffering with blight, visibly rotted and blackened. Most of the illustrations, many of which are vivid photos, reveal the glory and the grandeur of this majestic vegetable. These motivating pictures are rich in detail and Vitamin See. The Biography of Potatoes holds something of interest for readers of all ages. Its terrific illustrations, reasonable vocabulary, short chapters, and varied layouts make it a perfect choice for reluctant or unmotivated readers.