Sweet! The Delicious Story of Candy
By Ann Love and Jane Drake; Illustrated by Claudia Davila
Tundra Books; $19.95
64 pp.; ISBN-13: 978-0887767524

Review by Amy Brozio-Andrews

What kid doesn't like candy? And who knew the origins of it stretch back to 6,000 B.C.? With Sweet!: The Delicious Story of Candy, Ann Love and Jane Drake aim to expand young readers' appreciation of sugary treats.

With a very broad scope, Sweet! blends the history of candy with the science of why we're hardwired to crave sweets, and lots of candy trivia. From the purest honey gathered by ancient Egyptians to the latest marketing efforts of the big candy companies to woo and keep loyal customers, Love and Drake approach their subject with affection and passion, digging up long-ago abandoned Medieval candies and the origins of contemporary favorites (gummy bears are rooted in the Arabic development of lozenges in the Middle Ages).

Chapters are devoted to the primary players in candy: the original, natural sweets like honey and maple syrup; sugar; and chocolate. From the earliest uses of these ingredients in treats to the science of how they're manipulated into the myriad candies we all know and enjoy, Love and Drake keep their explanations clear and simple. With a nod to multiculturalism that reinforces the global appeal of candy, the authors include a map that indicates the sheer variety of sweets enjoyed by children around the world, from sweet and sour dried persimmon (Korea) to salty licorice animals (Netherlands), from candied tamarind and squash (Mexico) to nut- and fruit-flavored rice balls (The Philippines)-- interestingly, the authors reveal that kids usually prefer candy from their own region, and think that candy from far-away places is weird or distasteful.

In an effort to give kids the big picture, the authors have included a timeline that spans the bottom of the book's pages, marking major events, positive and negative, in the development of the modern candy kids eat today. From 6,000 B.C. to 2006 and running al 63 pages, it offers a real concrete idea of how long 8,000 years of history really is, and how long candy has been around for. Timeline tidbits include the patenting of the first electric dental drill and the attribution of artificial colors and flavors to hyperactivity.

To their credit, the authors, as outlined in their authors' note at the end of the book, detail their efforts to provide accurate dates and developments in what's long been a secretive industry (according to the authors, there are even situations where candy machine repairmen are blindfolded by candy companies!). An index would have been extremely helpful though-- now when a child wants to go back and look up a specific reference or date, he or she has to rely on memory, luck, or a full re-reading of the book.

Claudia Davila's artwork is bright and cheerful, absolutely in keeping with the tone and content of a book called Sweet! She depicts historical figures, kids around the world enjoying candy, and humorous situations that make the book fun to look at as well as fun to read.

With a friendly and easy-going tone, the authors approach the topic as kids' peer, talking to them, not at them. Inviting readers to vicariously visit a jelly bean factory and a candy shop, and make chocolate bars and vanilla fudge, this "come along with us" feel makes learning about candy almost as fun as eating it. Well, maybe not exactly… but it's pretty likely that young readers will close the book with a much greater appreciation for marshmallows, lollipops, candy canes, and gummy candy.