Member Reviews

Pairing food, the senses and locations around the world is an interesting concept for a book.. Could be used just as easily in the senses section, food section or in the geography section. I can easily see libraries having different opinions on where it would suit their particular clientele best. Unique! Recommended for fourth grade and up.

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I enjoyed this book, but I did find it wasn't one that translated well to an ebook format. I found that there was interesting information but when I tried to share it with my goddaughter it was too hard to read on my device. She found the book herself in a bookstore this winter and we enjoyed it that way a lot more.

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What a fun adventure! This book takes readers around the world, exploring the most extreme places on Earth. Each stop shares about the history and ecology of the environment, as well as stories of explorers who ventured before you. On your immersive adventure, you’ll explore through your five senses, imagining the sounds of the Amazon, the feel of the cold in Antarctica, and the taste of chocolate on Mount Everest.

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Lots of information about various world destinations. Great for any elementary learner who is interested in travel.

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A neat book for your little adventurer. This isn’t a typical book it’s more an informational book. It’s quick and written in easily understandable language. The illustrations are nice but a little odd too.

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"The wild is calling. And it's getting LOUDER. There are untamed corners of our planet... corners where only the fearless tread. It's time to answer that call!"

How Does Chocolate Taste on Everest is an absolutely spectacular book! Stewart-Sharpe has created an engaging, fact-filled, and well-crafted (armchair) expedition of the world... and beyond. Written in an immersive manner that turns the reader into an explorer of incredible places, How Does Chocolate Taste on Everest is a feast for the senses.

As the reader travels from place to place, they are encouraged to experience each location with their five senses. The descriptive language used by the author pulls the reader in and makes them feel as if they are actually travelling on this fascinating journey.

The book also includes tidbits about explorers, adventurers, interesting people, travel tips, and more. It's filled with humour that will resonate with children and the pages are brimming with charming illustrations that are the perfect compliment to the storyline.

How Does Chocolate Taste on Everest is my favourite children's book from this year. Highly recommend!

Kind thanks to Charlesbridge and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy of this delightful book!

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I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. This is an excellent book of interesting facts that children and kids will like. Fun and bright pictures also help make it a fun read.

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"How Does Chocolate Taste on Everest?" is a perfect classroom read for upper elementary and middle school students. It's a non fiction that presents a wide range of topics with interesting facts and captivating illustrations. Perfect for early finishers, reluctant readers and kids who love reading.

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Great! Love the journal styles entries at the beginning and end, and the short letters to Mom & Dad throughout. A really creative book that's fun and informative.

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Book Review: “How Does Chocolate Taste on Everest?” by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe

Overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 stars)

In her magical book, “How Does Chocolate Taste on Everest?” author Leisa Stewart-Sharpe takes readers on an exhilarating journey to some of the world’s most extreme places. This immersive adventure invites readers to explore the sights, sounds, smells, feelings, and even tastes of these extraordinary locations. With its engaging narrative, colorful illustrations, and fascinating facts, this book is sure to captivate young readers and ignite their curiosity about the world around them.

The book promises a thrilling expedition that will transport readers to the heart of nature’s wonders, such as the rainforests of the Amazon and the icy wilderness of Antarctica. It invites readers to imagine the buzzing sounds of the rainforest, the bone-chilling cold of Antarctica, and even how chocolate would taste on Mount Everest. Each page is carefully crafted to provide a truly immersive experience, allowing readers to feel like real explorers on this round-the-world adventure.

My Thoughts

First and foremost, the cover of “How Does Chocolate Taste on Everest?” is nothing short of perfection. Its vibrant design immediately captures attention and sets the tone for the exciting journey that lies within its pages. The book’s layout is well thought out, making it easy to navigate and read. The use of colorful illustrations and playful fonts adds to the overall appeal and makes it visually engaging for young readers.

One of the book’s strengths lies in its ability to combine education with entertainment. Through its engaging narrative, young readers are introduced to a wide range of interesting facts about history, nature, and various geographical locations. This approach not only sparks curiosity but also encourages children to learn about different cultures and environments. Therefore, “How Does Chocolate Taste on Everest?” has the potential to be a favorite among aspiring young (and old) travelers.

Leisa Stewart-Sharpe has created an enchanting book that seamlessly blends imagination with knowledge. By allowing readers to step into the shoes of intrepid explorers, she ignites their sense of adventure and wonder. The book’s interactive nature makes it an ideal choice for parents, teachers, or anyone looking to engage children in an exciting learning experience.

In conclusion, “How Does Chocolate Taste on Everest?” is a captivating book that offers an immersive adventure for young readers. Its appealing design, engaging narrative, and fascinating facts make it a must-read for any child with a thirst for knowledge and a love for exploration. Leisa Stewart-Sharpe has not only created an entertaining book but also an educational tool that will inspire young minds to appreciate the beauty and diversity of our world.

**ARC Via NetGalley**

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This is book is a phenomenal journey! This nonfiction book helps us explore the world with all our senses. It worked well for both my 6 year old and 8 year old. I think it is one of those books we could go back to again and again, learning something new each time. Personally, I could just flip through this book and gain so much from the beautiful illustrations. We will definitely be putting this on our library list so we have the opportunity to read it again.

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The bright, engaging middle grade nonfiction book How Does Chocolate Taste on Everest? by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe (Charlesbridge, September 2023) highlights the most extreme places around the world. With a vacation guide book feel, How Does Chocolate Taste? emphasizes what you see, smell, taste, hear, and touch when you visit the highest, best, deepest, hottest, and coldest world places, as well as how to prepare for your adventure when you’re there.

The author plays on the vacation guide book theme throughout, giving the book a fun feel. It starts with a packing list and includes cute notes home throughout. (“Dear Mom and Dad, I need a good bath!”) Each location has two spreads focused on it, including an introductory page about the place and then a second page asking the questions about the senses: “Can you feel that?”, “Can you see that?”, etc. The adventures include travels to Ethiopia (the world’s hottest place), Mount Everest (as the title suggests), Greenland, Antarctica, the Amazon, and many more. Some included places are most likely unfamiliar, such as “The World’s Most Electric Place” in Venezuela.

The colorful illustrations by Aaron Cushley add delight. The entire book becomes an adventure because of how these illustrations tie right into the narrative. I particularly like that each location has at least one beautiful spread that, for me at least, adds to the sense of amazement and the beauty of these extreme places. I also like that the author shows a group of kids having these adventures in each location. Not many kids will climb Mount Everest, but it will be fun for them to imagine themselves having these adventures or planning for future adventures.

The eager young reader could refer to How Does Chocolate Taste? for research purposes in learning about extreme places on earth (a glossary at the end will help). Or, more likely, someone will pick up the colorful book to browse it or to read it cover to cover as I did, eager to see what other extreme places on earth have been explored or are ready for someone to explore.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance review copy of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Thank you to the author, Charlesbridge Books and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am really torn on this one. On the one hand, this is a fantastic children's book that introduces the wider world, appealing to the different senses and imparting lots of facts in a fun way - and wonderfully illustrated. On the other hand, I felt frustrated because it could have been so much more, incorporating the geopolitical, socio-economic and environmental challenges of our world today - in a child-friendly way of course. Those were more or less completely ignored - which is what got us into our modern mess in the first place. I also felt too much emphasis was placed on traditional patriarchal family stereotypes.

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This book will find its reader in the nonfiction aficionado. Descriptive passages that address all the senses: smell, touch, taste, sight, and sound will help faraway places become real to the reader. Bright, beautiful images and rich, well-researched text combine to offer the informational text experience of a lifetime.

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Amazing! This book takes you on an adventure around the world and more, in less than 100 pages!The perfect adventure guide for any child or adult looking for a fun way to learn about special places in the word. It engages all 5 senses and has beautiful illustrations as well. I will 100% be buying this book for the collection at my library! I can’t wait to see what this author rights next!

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Wow!!! This was so good!! Read it with my 7yo and can honestly say we both learned so much. Love how not only does it talk about some really cool geographical places, gives really interesting facts, but also touches on each of the five senses so your children can get a full immersive experience. Amazing!!
Thank you to Charlesbridge publishing, Leisa Stewart-Sharpe, and to NetGalley for this advanced digital copy!

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This was such a fun, entertaining, and educational book. I loved it and learned so much. I loved the concept of going on a mission, traveling around the world, exploring all of these extreme places. It’s jam-packed with tons of facts and information, from geographical to historical. It sounds like a lot, but reading it didn’t feel overwhelming. I also loved the second-person POV because it made me feel like the main character in the story. It was extremely immersive. I felt like I was really traveling around the world (and space), experiencing all the locations. I also loved how interactive it was by using the five senses and giving descriptions of what you would see, hear, smell, taste, and touch at each location. I think kids would have a lot of fun with this book. I would’ve loved this book when I was little.

The illustrations are absolutely beautiful. I took my time reading through this story not just to soak up all the information I was receiving but to admire the gorgeous artwork. There is also a seek-and-find element with a spider, which is fun trying to find him throughout the story.

This book is more than a story; it’s an experience. It’s not only very educational but also wildly amusing and entertaining. I laughed quite a bit and enjoyed the quirky humor. Highly recommend!!!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. These are my own thoughts and opinions.

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I received an electronic ARC from Charlesbridge through NetGalley.
Stewart-Sharpe takes readers on an adventure to some of the world's most amazing and dangerous places. The book is written as though the reader is the one exploring. I appreciate the descriptions and appeal to all of the senses at each location. The author also includes informative text about other explorers who have visited the locales. She does not gloss over the danger so readers have a true impression of how difficult the travel is. The surprise final location encourages readers to think to the future.
A taste of what the world has to offer if we're brave enough to explore.

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This was a cute book for little kids. Have a lot of info in a super fun way along with pictures. Definitely something that will make kids want to explore and go on adventures!

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This is a fantastic children's book! It's like taking a thrilling global trip using just your senses. You can hear the rainforest buzz, feel the Antarctic chill, and yup, even taste chocolate on Everest – all while lounging at home. This interactive journey is packed with cool facts, history, and survival tips. If you're looking for an exciting and educational read for your young explorer, this one easily gets 4 stars!

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