Loaves of Fun

September 1, 1997
Gr 4-6-According to Harbison's introduction, "The history of bread is also the history of civilization." In an informal, anecdotal style the author supports this premise by describing the conditions of life in various times and places and explaining how and why bread was made. The text follows a time line that runs throughout the book, beginning in Asia in 73,000 B.C. and ending with the present-day United States. Interspersed within the narrative are recipes for pita, sourdough, pretzels, johnnycakes, etc., which are clearly written and easy to follow. Also presented are activities related to bread ingredients, e.g., a science experiment showing the gas in yeast, growing mold, and making paint out of flour and water. While their inclusion interrupts the flow of the book, the information is good and will enrich world-history studies. Black-and-white sketches appear throughout.-Carolyn Jenks, First Parish Unitarian Church, Portland, ME