What a neat and fun way to learn about spices [I even learned things I never knew before so YAY!!!]!! Everyone who reads this will learning something new [and will perhaps have littles and their adults searching their own kitchens for the spices and seasonings mentioned here] and the colorful illustrations just add to the story and will spark good conversations about these spices and just what they add to the food we eat.

Just fantastic. I highly recommend this one!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Jacques Pasquet, Ann Marie Boulanger - Translator, Claire Anghinolfi - Illustrator, and Orca Book Publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Welcome to the world of spices, condiments, vanilla, chocolate, coffee, tea. Learn about the history, appearance, characteristics, origin, and uses of each followed by a glossary and index.
Translated from the French by Ann Marie Boulanger.
The finely detailed illustrations by Claire Anghinolfi are brilliantly colored, realistic, and meaningful.
Well suited for reading alone or WITH someone of any age (not just middle grade) including ESL, and great for gifting, but especially to a school, or your public library!
I requested and received a free temporary digital advance review copy on Adobe Digital Editions from
Orca Book Publishers via NetGalley. Thank you! Pub Date Oct 15, 2024
#CanadianAuthor/Translator/Illustrator #STEAM #nonfiction

Thank you Orca Book Publishers and NetGalley for the advanced electronic review copy of this wonderful book. This book teaches children about the most common spices and flavouring grown around the world and found in almost every home. Colorful illustrations and well written descriptions make this easy to follow book a great read for upper elementary students. I would love to see another volume with some other plants, herbs, and spices such as garlic, horseradish, wasabi, soy, mint, etc.

This is a beautifully illustrated children’s book that teaches about common flavorings from around the world like ginger, vanilla, salt, pepper, tea, coffee, sugar and chocolate.

Despite the fact that these are all plants grown outside of the UK or continental United States and the fact that the illustrations all depict people of color growing, picking and processing them, it has a very Eurocentric, white feel. At one point it mentions that “a young slave” determined why vanilla beans weren’t being pollinated and led to it being able to be grown all over, but this felt really tone deaf like it was a sweet thing that an enslaved boy discovered this really important part of the plant’s nature that just helped rich enslavers exploit even more. There’s also a lack of flavors that people other than Brits and Americans enjoy, such as sumac and wasabi. Many other flavors are lacking as well, like garlic, soy sauce, horseradish or any herbs.

All that said, it’s a deep dive into how these plants are grown and processed with a lot of information without being overwhelming.

I read a temporary digital copy of this book for review.

For those who want to know everything, what a fun read. I love all the illustrations, and anything that gets me one step closer to winning trivia night is essentially a five-star read for me.

3.5 stars. This J nonfiction is appropriate for upper elementary readers. The writing is smooth and easy to follow-- although the translation uses a number of terms that are British English instead of American English (caster sugar, icing sugar, etc.), so younger readers might need some support in places. I couldn't identify what the organization method is-- assuming there is one, which might be incorrect. Adding an obvious organization element (presented in order by oldest recorded use, or grouped by global point of origin, for example) is appropriate for the age group and would have added an extra component.

The illustrations are soft and lovely-- two thumbs up.

eARC from NetGalley.

What a fun, creative, and different book! I loved it. It would be such a great gift! I was so intrigued by the story and the information. Highly recommend.

Two billion cups of coffee is consumed a day??! I loved all the interesting facts in this book. This books is laid out perfectly and easily enjoyed. I loved the illustrations and descriptions of each item. I learned a lot of new things!

The book was beautifully written. The author made careful word choices that were very impactful. Overall, the book was well written and I did really enjoy it.

It's a cute concept. It was labeled as a children's book on netgalley & I don't think it would fall under that category. However, I do love the illustrations and how the educational information comes out.

Great intro into how these spices that we take for granted have changed the world. Lots of great information in small chunks. Colorful and interesting illustrations that help explain the text. Would love to have seen a few more spices included but overall this book would be a great addition to a school library, and I will be adding it to ours!