From Hand to Mouth: Or, How We Invented Knives, Forks, Spoons, and Chopsticks and the Table Manners to Go with Them

by James Cross Giblin

Hardcover, 1987

Status

Available

Call number

394.1

Genres

Food & Cooking

Nonfiction

Collection

Geography and Social Studies

Publication

Collins (1987), 96 pages

Description

A history of the eating utensils and table manners of various cultures from the Stone Age to the present day.

Media reviews

Children's Literature

Mary Quattlebaum (Children's Literature) This is a non-fiction favorite. Giblin's table of contents gives some idea of the rich history he explores, with the first chapter entitled "Flint Knives and Fingers" and the final "Forks in Tokyo, Chopsticks in Chicago." And Giblin's humorous anecdotes and

careful picture research make for a lively, enlightening look at the changing shape of utensils and the changing style of eating. 1987, Crowell/HarperCollins, $14.89. Ages 8 up.

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User reviews

LibraryThing member MOster

This book is about how different cultures came to use eating utensils: fork, spoon, knife. The first utensils were the fingers. Then came the spoon for soup and the knife was last.

This book I think was written for fun and education but I thought it was a little dull. The illustrations were dark.

Younger child probably would not be interest in this book.

In the classroom, students could use this book to be challenged to come up with a new invention. Students could be challenged to find a book that is informational (about everyday things) and write a report on it so that they could develop good research skills.

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2 more

LibraryThing member kthomp25

An informational book, the subject matter is just not that exciting. Examines eating habits from prehistoric times until today, including both European, Asian, and American peculiarities.

LibraryThing member HonourableHusband

This book actually explains why Europeans and Americans use cutlery differently. For this reason, it's worth its weight in gold!

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