From Hand to Mouth Or, How We Invented Knives, Forks, Spoons, and Chopsticks, and the Table

From School Library Journal Grade 5 Up With the same fluid anecdotal writing style found in his earlier books, Giblin traces the history of eating utensils and customs from the ancient world to the present. Beginning with the use of small spears to pick meat out of the fire and spoons made of curved goat horns, he follows the development to the controversial introduction of forks, the invention of stainless steel, and the return to casual eating practices with the popularity of fast foods. Readers will be especially interested in the information on eating customs and table manners in different eras and cultures. One chapter is devoted to the history of chopsticks, including the differences between Chinese and Japanese uses and easy-to-follow instructions on how to master chopsticks. This title may not have the immediate appeal of some of Giblin's earlier titles, as eating utensils are not as fascinating as skyscrapers, as romantic as chimney sweeps, or as popular as Santa Claus, but like his book on milk, this look at everyday items offers some fascinating and entertaining information. It is a well-organized and spryly written account, generously illustrated with photographs and period reproductions (including a hilarious photo of a 1950s dinner party), of a subject rarely discussed in children's books. Those who pick it up for reports or browsing won't be disappointed. Heide Piehler, Shorewood Public Library, Wis.Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. About the Author James Cross Giblin is the author of eighteen books for young readers, many of which have received awards and honors. Twelve of his titles, most recently Charles A. Lindbergh: A Human Hero and When Plague Strikes: The Black Death, Smallpox, AIDS have been named Notable Children's Books by the American Library Association. In 1996 he received the Washington Post--Children's Book Guild Award for Nonfiction for his body of work. Mr. Giblin lives in New York City. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.