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Mr. Crum's Potato Predicament
When Filbert P. Horsefeathers walks into George Crum's restaurant, he tells the waitress, 'I have a hankering for a heaping helping of potatoes.' Fine cook that he is, George prepares a serving of his most scrumptious, succulent and sublime potato wedges, only to have Filbert send them back. 'Too thick,' he says. So, George makes thinner wedges. But his picky customer sends them back again. And again. Feeling a bit mischievous, George decides to use his sharpest knife to cut paper-thin potato slices, which he fries until they are crackling and then showers with salt. At last, Filbert is satisfied, proclaiming, 'Perfection!' Which they are. Because, quite by accident, George Crum has invented potato chips!
This fictional picture book tale by Anne Renaud is based on a real man named George Crum, a cook in Saratoga Springs, New York, in the 1850s, who is purported to have created the first potato chip in response to a demanding customer. Included at the back of the book is a historical note with a list of sources describing the legend and the remarkable and inspiring story of Crum, a trapper of mixed Native American and African American descent, who supplied restaurants with fresh game, then became a chef and successful restauranteur himself. Felicita Sala's gorgeous illustrations accurately portray the historical period but with a lighthearted touch. They work beautifully with Renaud's playful language and quirky characters for a lively and deliciously fun read-aloud. This book is an excellent choice for lessons on inventions and inventors, history, or why we eat the foods we do.
This fictional picture book tale by Anne Renaud is based on a real man named George Crum, a cook in Saratoga Springs, New York, in the 1850s, who is purported to have created the first potato chip in response to a demanding customer. Included at the back of the book is a historical note with a list of sources describing the legend and the remarkable and inspiring story of Crum, a trapper of mixed Native American and African American descent, who supplied restaurants with fresh game, then became a chef and successful restauranteur himself. Felicita Sala's gorgeous illustrations accurately portray the historical period but with a lighthearted touch. They work beautifully with Renaud's playful language and quirky characters for a lively and deliciously fun read-aloud. This book is an excellent choice for lessons on inventions and inventors, history, or why we eat the foods we do.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published September 5, 2017
About the author
Anne Renaud
33 books30 followersAnne Renaud is a life-long Quebecker. She received her Bachelor of Translation from Concordia University in Montreal. Anne is the author of several picture books, as well as historical non-fiction books for children, including, A Bloom of Friendship: The Story of the Canadian Tulip Festival, Island of Hope and Sorrow: The Story of Grosse Île, Pier 21: Stories from Near and Far, and Into the Mist: The Story of the Empress of Ireland. Her work has been nominated for several awards, including the Silver Birch Award, the Hackmatack Children’s Choice Award, the Red Cedar Book Award, the Red Maple Award and the Quebec Writers’ Federation Prize for Children's & Young Adult Literature. Anne is also a regular contributor to children’s magazines, such as Highlights, Pockets, Cricket, Odyssey, Faces, Clubhouse and Shine. Anne's readers often ask her why she writes books. She tells them it is because she likes to do creative things and she finds writing to be a very creative exercise. It’s also because she can’t dance well and she can’t sing well, so she tries her best at writing well. She hopes her books educate, entertain and inspire children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
November 7, 2019
4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this story set in 1853 of how Mr Crum, an African American chef and restaurant owner humoured a fussy customer who wanted his potatoes cooked thinner and thinner. Eventually peeling thin slices off a potato and frying them, his customer was happy and so was born the first crisp or potato chip.
The story was told with great humour, I really enjoyed the text and the illustrations are amazing. I'm a huge fan of Felicita Sala, she is so talented and particularly good at depicting cooking, kitchen scenes and people. I marvel that she is self taught. I really enjoyed the information and photographs in the back pages, I appreciated that the information concedes that there are other claims to the the first crisp but I loved this story and do hope it was Mr Crum.
The story was told with great humour, I really enjoyed the text and the illustrations are amazing. I'm a huge fan of Felicita Sala, she is so talented and particularly good at depicting cooking, kitchen scenes and people. I marvel that she is self taught. I really enjoyed the information and photographs in the back pages, I appreciated that the information concedes that there are other claims to the the first crisp but I loved this story and do hope it was Mr Crum.
July 1, 2017
They say that necessity is the mother of invention, and this story is another example. Have you ever wondered where the Potato chip came from? Mr. Crum was a real man who came up with this food item. This story is a fun fictional story based on George Crum.
Mr. Crum was a wonderful cook who was known far and wide as a wonderful cook. Everyone loved his food, that is until Filbert P. Horsefeathers came into his restaurant. He wanted an order of potatoes. Three times, Mr. Crum cooked him potatoes and he sent them back because the slices were too thick. He finally got what he wanted, Potato Chips! This is a cute story with wonderful illustrations. The back of the book has a short biography of the real George Crum. This book could be used in many ways with children. It could be an introduction to inventions/inventors, used to discuss not giving up, even as a discussion about healthy foods, where various food comes from and how to prepare different food. I think kids will enjoy this one. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via netgalley.
Mr. Crum was a wonderful cook who was known far and wide as a wonderful cook. Everyone loved his food, that is until Filbert P. Horsefeathers came into his restaurant. He wanted an order of potatoes. Three times, Mr. Crum cooked him potatoes and he sent them back because the slices were too thick. He finally got what he wanted, Potato Chips! This is a cute story with wonderful illustrations. The back of the book has a short biography of the real George Crum. This book could be used in many ways with children. It could be an introduction to inventions/inventors, used to discuss not giving up, even as a discussion about healthy foods, where various food comes from and how to prepare different food. I think kids will enjoy this one. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via netgalley.
November 19, 2019
So, it was a little disappointing that this story is actually more speculation than fact. It honestly reminds me a bit more of a tall tale than a true biography. But, it's a really fun read and there is no denying that George Crum helped build the popularity of the potato chip even if he was not necessarily the very first to "invent" it.
Also, I must say this has a better Author's Note and Sources list than most picture book biographies I've encountered lately. (Love the photograph of the real George Crum -- he looks like such a sweetheart and I can just see that impish nature in his eyes and smile!)
Also, I must say this has a better Author's Note and Sources list than most picture book biographies I've encountered lately. (Love the photograph of the real George Crum -- he looks like such a sweetheart and I can just see that impish nature in his eyes and smile!)
June 27, 2019
This book is actually a bit of a historical biographical sketch. George Crum was a real cook who, in the 1850s, helped popularize potato chips as a snack after a persnickety customer kept sending back his potato wedges because they were too thick. So George made them as thin as possible... and the potato chip as we know it was born!
I actually found the story kind of refreshing. It's set in the USA in the 1850s, and George Crum is partly African American... but he's not a slave. In fact, he has his own restaurant! So many of the books I read that feature this time period and African Americans are about slavery, so this was a bit different. (It takes place in New York, not the South, which explains the difference.) There are a couple of pages at the back that explain the true story of George Crum and his potato chips, with photographs.
The story may have been embellished a little, but it looks like the basic facts are the same. (Filbert P. Horsefeathers stands in for the picky customer. He, apparently, is made up.) So this is a fairly strong biographical picture book about the man who may be responsible for the chip aisle in grocery stores that we all take for granted today.
Quotable moment:
I actually found the story kind of refreshing. It's set in the USA in the 1850s, and George Crum is partly African American... but he's not a slave. In fact, he has his own restaurant! So many of the books I read that feature this time period and African Americans are about slavery, so this was a bit different. (It takes place in New York, not the South, which explains the difference.) There are a couple of pages at the back that explain the true story of George Crum and his potato chips, with photographs.
The story may have been embellished a little, but it looks like the basic facts are the same. (Filbert P. Horsefeathers stands in for the picky customer. He, apparently, is made up.) So this is a fairly strong biographical picture book about the man who may be responsible for the chip aisle in grocery stores that we all take for granted today.
Quotable moment:
So, with a swish of his apron and a tap to his chef's hat, George got to work. He cut the potatoes into wedges, boiled them, fried them in a dollop of lard and sprinkled them with salt.
September 10, 2017
'Mr. Crum's Potato Predicament' by Ann Renaud with illustrations by Felicita Sala takes a story that may be more legend than fact and makes it a fun story for young readers.
When Filbert P. Horsefeathers walks into George Crum's restaurant, he only wants potatoes. When the potatoes he gets aren't right, he keeps sending them back until chef Crum invents a new thin, crunchy, salty snack: the potato chip!
In a great postscript to the story, we find out that there was a George Crum who is credited with inventing the potato chip. Whether he did or not, he was apparently a great chef in the Saratoga area where they were known as Saratoga chips. There are some photos of the real George Crum and an early box of potato chips. There is also a list of sources for the story that is told. I found it a fun story and I loved the illustrations.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Kids Can Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
When Filbert P. Horsefeathers walks into George Crum's restaurant, he only wants potatoes. When the potatoes he gets aren't right, he keeps sending them back until chef Crum invents a new thin, crunchy, salty snack: the potato chip!
In a great postscript to the story, we find out that there was a George Crum who is credited with inventing the potato chip. Whether he did or not, he was apparently a great chef in the Saratoga area where they were known as Saratoga chips. There are some photos of the real George Crum and an early box of potato chips. There is also a list of sources for the story that is told. I found it a fun story and I loved the illustrations.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Kids Can Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
August 22, 2023
An adorable fictionalized account of the making of the potato chip!
June 27, 2017
**An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
Very cute picture book, with decent illustrations and a fun (and somewhat historical) story!
Very cute picture book, with decent illustrations and a fun (and somewhat historical) story!
May 29, 2018
3.5 stars -- Fun and fanciful story imagines the invention of an instantly recognizable snack favorite--potato chips!
Veg*n parents note: The original potato chips were fried in lard (thank goodness this has, for the most part, been swapped for vegetable oil). There is also a joke menu featuring groundhog and opossum dishes and various references to meat and the cook's prowess in preparing it in the book's text and afterward. This could make for a good discussion topic about how food preferences and practices can change over time!
Veg*n parents note: The original potato chips were fried in lard (thank goodness this has, for the most part, been swapped for vegetable oil). There is also a joke menu featuring groundhog and opossum dishes and various references to meat and the cook's prowess in preparing it in the book's text and afterward. This could make for a good discussion topic about how food preferences and practices can change over time!
April 9, 2021
Mr. Crum's Potato Predicament is a children's picture book written by by Anne Renaud and illustrated by Felicita Sala. It is a fictional story based on a true person in George Crum.
George Speck also known as George Crum was an American chef. He worked as a hunter, guide, and cook in the Adirondack Mountains, and became noted for his culinary skills after being hired at Moon's Lake House on Saratoga Lake, near Saratoga Springs, New York.
Renaud's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. The narrative is gently humorous, which nicely tells Crum's story. Backmatter includes an author's note includes pictures of George, provides some biographical information, identifies him as Native American and African American descent, and explains that while George may not have been the originator of the potato chip, he was renowned for his version and was certainly one of the first to cook up the mouthwatering treat. Sala's memorable illustrations depict the text rather well.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. Legend has it that in Saratoga Springs, New York, during the 1850s, a chef named George Crum came up with a flavorful invention that we still devour today. He loved to cook, and his loyal customers came from across the social strata and were always more than satisfied until the day that a particularly demanding Filbert P. Horsefeathers, returned one plate of potatoes after another. George decided to play a prank on the picky patron and served up a plate of crispy, paper-thin, very salty spuds. To George's shock, Horsefeathers loved his concoction, so did everyone else, and Crum's Crisp Crispies (aka potato chips) were born.
All in all, Mr. Crum's Potato Predicament is hyperbole and history is a recipe for fun in this tasty trickster tale.
George Speck also known as George Crum was an American chef. He worked as a hunter, guide, and cook in the Adirondack Mountains, and became noted for his culinary skills after being hired at Moon's Lake House on Saratoga Lake, near Saratoga Springs, New York.
Renaud's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. The narrative is gently humorous, which nicely tells Crum's story. Backmatter includes an author's note includes pictures of George, provides some biographical information, identifies him as Native American and African American descent, and explains that while George may not have been the originator of the potato chip, he was renowned for his version and was certainly one of the first to cook up the mouthwatering treat. Sala's memorable illustrations depict the text rather well.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. Legend has it that in Saratoga Springs, New York, during the 1850s, a chef named George Crum came up with a flavorful invention that we still devour today. He loved to cook, and his loyal customers came from across the social strata and were always more than satisfied until the day that a particularly demanding Filbert P. Horsefeathers, returned one plate of potatoes after another. George decided to play a prank on the picky patron and served up a plate of crispy, paper-thin, very salty spuds. To George's shock, Horsefeathers loved his concoction, so did everyone else, and Crum's Crisp Crispies (aka potato chips) were born.
All in all, Mr. Crum's Potato Predicament is hyperbole and history is a recipe for fun in this tasty trickster tale.
June 8, 2017
The illustrations are richly done and befitting the time period the author used for her story which is a fictional take on a probable historical event. Whatever artistic license was used in both story and art work was done well and the diversity used in the customers was nice to see.
I had never heard of Mr. Crum or given much thought to how we have the modern potato chip so I appreciated not only how well the author has written a story that seems realistic but also provided the known and assumed historical information so the reader can look more into this.
I read this to my daughters, who now want me to try making our own potato chips, they liked the characters particularly Mr. Crum as they thought he was very patient and nice to put up with such demanding behavior.
I think it’s a great book for schools and families as you are able to be educated while entertained. It makes a great opening to look into further food inventions and to discover the history behind the food we take for granted.
I had never heard of Mr. Crum or given much thought to how we have the modern potato chip so I appreciated not only how well the author has written a story that seems realistic but also provided the known and assumed historical information so the reader can look more into this.
I read this to my daughters, who now want me to try making our own potato chips, they liked the characters particularly Mr. Crum as they thought he was very patient and nice to put up with such demanding behavior.
I think it’s a great book for schools and families as you are able to be educated while entertained. It makes a great opening to look into further food inventions and to discover the history behind the food we take for granted.
September 4, 2017
Thanks to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for a review copy - all opinions are my own.
Great read aloud for elementary classrooms! Based on a true story of a persnickety customer and an inventive and talented chef, Mr. Crum's Potato Predicament explains the origins of the potato chip. The text is fast paced and full of juicy vocabulary. The illustrations are so well done and are perfect complements to the upbeat tone of the story. The author's note perfectly addresses the question I always get asked at the end of stories like this: Did this really happen? Although at the end of this story, what everyone's going to be asking for is a potato chip!
4.5 stars, will be a good addition to classroom and school libraries.
Great read aloud for elementary classrooms! Based on a true story of a persnickety customer and an inventive and talented chef, Mr. Crum's Potato Predicament explains the origins of the potato chip. The text is fast paced and full of juicy vocabulary. The illustrations are so well done and are perfect complements to the upbeat tone of the story. The author's note perfectly addresses the question I always get asked at the end of stories like this: Did this really happen? Although at the end of this story, what everyone's going to be asking for is a potato chip!
4.5 stars, will be a good addition to classroom and school libraries.
November 2, 2017
This story was a lot of fun to read. Kids will enjoy learning how one of their favorite snack foods was accidentally invented by playful chef, George Crum. The illustrations are beautiful and the characters in the story come to life with Renaud's text. A brief history at the end allows readers to discover a little more about the man who is thought to have invented the world's favorite salty snack.
July 17, 2017
This is another picture book, in a good series of picture books, that talks about a short, quick point in history, and makes it fun. In this case, it was the invention of the potato chip. Hard to believe it didn't exist before, but as this factionalized version of the story unfolds, we. Have Mr. Crum making potatoe wedges, that everyone loves, until this one customer kept saying they were too thick, and sending them back, until the potatoes were razor thin, and then he approved them.
It is clever book about how sometimes inventions and things come about not by a straight path, but by accident.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
It is clever book about how sometimes inventions and things come about not by a straight path, but by accident.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
February 17, 2018
Who doesn’t wonder where the potato chip idea came from?
Even the best cook in the county doesn’t always get it right the first time. But Mr. Crum doesn’t give up. Nope. When a persnickety customer drives him to the extreme, he ends up with the irresistible potato chip. It’s always fun to learn about inventions and innovations that resulted from mistakes or about people who just kept on trying. The text delights the tongue with sumptuous words, and illustrations tickle the senses. Enjoy!
Even the best cook in the county doesn’t always get it right the first time. But Mr. Crum doesn’t give up. Nope. When a persnickety customer drives him to the extreme, he ends up with the irresistible potato chip. It’s always fun to learn about inventions and innovations that resulted from mistakes or about people who just kept on trying. The text delights the tongue with sumptuous words, and illustrations tickle the senses. Enjoy!
March 5, 2021
I am especially fond of books that teach us history, so I really enjoyed this book. If you are wondering how potato chips were discovered you will find this book fascinating .
May 6, 2021
A cute story with the most beautiful illustrations!
June 13, 2017
What a deliciously, delightful story about one persnickity customer and a frustrated cook. The tongue-in-cheek humour as well as the luscious illustrations makes this a perfect read-together book.
February 19, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this "fictional tale with a helping of truth."
January 24, 2018
A fun story that may or may not tell the true story of how potato chips were invented. This book could certainly be used as a model for children to write the history of other products.
January 17, 2018
Hooray for the cheeky Mr. Crum and his demanding customer!
One of the best examples of the fictionalized biography picture book I've ever read!
One of the best examples of the fictionalized biography picture book I've ever read!
January 10, 2018
Great story, great piece of history that kids will really relate to (show me the kid who doesn't consume vast quantities of chips every chance they get), nice illustrations. Really liked this one.
August 30, 2017
Thanks to the author, illustrator, Kids Can Press & the Goodreads Giveaways program for a review copy of this book! This is possibly the first picture book I've reviewed on Goodreads and the tl;dr is that I'm super impressed, it's a great read for slightly older kids, and I look forward to my nephew getting old enough to appreciate it.
Not sure how people usually review picture books, but I'm gonna split this up into a few categories.
First off, the language use is lovely. Tight yet lyrical, integrated beautifully with the art and book design, fun yet not *too* silly, cheeky without crossing into irreverence, it's definitely aimed at slightly older kids with more sophisticated language, and the story might be a bit of a challenge for the really little kids, but probably ages 4-7+ would get something out of it.
Story-wise, it's a light, fun and sly tale, not too challenging and not at all preachy. It's neat that there's a bit of a historical component, and it's a great touch that the chef in question is mixed-race POC (apparently he had African-American and First Nations heritage, and owned a successful restaurant in the mid 1800s - there's a history and references section at the back). It's informative yet enjoyable, not leaning too much into edutainment. Not particularly emotional or heartwarming, more comedic and a problem-solving rather than a personal-growth tale. Feels like a quick read, so it might do well with younger readers in that respect; not too many words, and you're not going to lose your voice trying to get to the end before bedtime.
Moving on to the design and art, this is again a strong entry. In keeping with the light, funny tone, the art leans towards the comedic. It's attractive, detailed and engaging without being excessively busy. Love the book design, the way text was broken up for emphasis, with smart use of white space and stand-alone images as well as full-spread art. Healthy diversity represented; given the time period and location (NY state), there's a blend of what look like white and brown/black characters in a range of roles from staff to customers. I'm not particularly knowledgeable about art styles, but it's bright, fun, clear and maybe a bit comic, with a creative and fluid approach to perspective.
Verdict: I'd recommend this to anyone with kids past the board-book stage, and I'll pass it along to my 6mo nephew because even if he can't quite follow, his foodie mama is going to love the culinary-language of this book and keep it in the rotation until he's old enough to appreciate it for himself.
Not sure how people usually review picture books, but I'm gonna split this up into a few categories.
First off, the language use is lovely. Tight yet lyrical, integrated beautifully with the art and book design, fun yet not *too* silly, cheeky without crossing into irreverence, it's definitely aimed at slightly older kids with more sophisticated language, and the story might be a bit of a challenge for the really little kids, but probably ages 4-7+ would get something out of it.
Story-wise, it's a light, fun and sly tale, not too challenging and not at all preachy. It's neat that there's a bit of a historical component, and it's a great touch that the chef in question is mixed-race POC (apparently he had African-American and First Nations heritage, and owned a successful restaurant in the mid 1800s - there's a history and references section at the back). It's informative yet enjoyable, not leaning too much into edutainment. Not particularly emotional or heartwarming, more comedic and a problem-solving rather than a personal-growth tale. Feels like a quick read, so it might do well with younger readers in that respect; not too many words, and you're not going to lose your voice trying to get to the end before bedtime.
Moving on to the design and art, this is again a strong entry. In keeping with the light, funny tone, the art leans towards the comedic. It's attractive, detailed and engaging without being excessively busy. Love the book design, the way text was broken up for emphasis, with smart use of white space and stand-alone images as well as full-spread art. Healthy diversity represented; given the time period and location (NY state), there's a blend of what look like white and brown/black characters in a range of roles from staff to customers. I'm not particularly knowledgeable about art styles, but it's bright, fun, clear and maybe a bit comic, with a creative and fluid approach to perspective.
Verdict: I'd recommend this to anyone with kids past the board-book stage, and I'll pass it along to my 6mo nephew because even if he can't quite follow, his foodie mama is going to love the culinary-language of this book and keep it in the rotation until he's old enough to appreciate it for himself.
October 24, 2018
Most people aren’t aware that it was a mixed-race inventor who came up with the potato chip, the most popular snack food item in America. The son of an African-American father and a Native American mother, George Crum was working as the chef of an elegant resort in Saratoga Springs, New York in the summer of 1853 when he incidentally invented the chip.
One of the dinner guests complained that Crum’s French fries were too thick and sent back the order. Crum, irritated, sent back a dish of fries so thin, they couldn’t even be speared with a fork. To everyone’s surprise, the guest loved them. Other diners began requesting what would soon be called Saratoga Chips.
George went on to build his own restaurant and featured potato chips in a basket placed on every table. In those days, people of color were not allowed to take out patents on their inventions, and Crum never profited from his invention. [Today, potato chips are eaten at the rate of 1.2 billion pounds annually.]
This book begins with the epigraph: “the story you are about to savor is a fictional tale with a helping of truth.” The problem is, as the author writes in a note at the end of the book, the story about George Crum being the original inventor of wafer-thin potatoes has not been substantiated. But the outline of the story is true, as is the fact that his crisp potatoes were in such demand that customers began to order them as “takeout” in a paper cone. The author writes:
“George’s eclectic clientele - which included millionaires, farmers, politicians, heads of industry and laborers - came to him in ‘swarms, herds, droves and flocks,’ according the the New York Tribune of December 27, 1891.”
The best thing about this book are the colored pencil and watercolor illustrations by self-taught artist Felicita Sala. In an interesting departure from other illustrators of children’s books, she began her career by selling her paintings on the street as a way to earn extra income. Be sure to check out her blog posts of illustrated recipes, here.
Evaluation: This fun and engaging book tells "the story behind the story" of one of the most iconic foods in American culture. I was always interested as a child about how inventions came about, and this book will entertain as well as enlighten kids on a subject that is bound to be of interest to them.
One of the dinner guests complained that Crum’s French fries were too thick and sent back the order. Crum, irritated, sent back a dish of fries so thin, they couldn’t even be speared with a fork. To everyone’s surprise, the guest loved them. Other diners began requesting what would soon be called Saratoga Chips.
George went on to build his own restaurant and featured potato chips in a basket placed on every table. In those days, people of color were not allowed to take out patents on their inventions, and Crum never profited from his invention. [Today, potato chips are eaten at the rate of 1.2 billion pounds annually.]
This book begins with the epigraph: “the story you are about to savor is a fictional tale with a helping of truth.” The problem is, as the author writes in a note at the end of the book, the story about George Crum being the original inventor of wafer-thin potatoes has not been substantiated. But the outline of the story is true, as is the fact that his crisp potatoes were in such demand that customers began to order them as “takeout” in a paper cone. The author writes:
“George’s eclectic clientele - which included millionaires, farmers, politicians, heads of industry and laborers - came to him in ‘swarms, herds, droves and flocks,’ according the the New York Tribune of December 27, 1891.”
The best thing about this book are the colored pencil and watercolor illustrations by self-taught artist Felicita Sala. In an interesting departure from other illustrators of children’s books, she began her career by selling her paintings on the street as a way to earn extra income. Be sure to check out her blog posts of illustrated recipes, here.
Evaluation: This fun and engaging book tells "the story behind the story" of one of the most iconic foods in American culture. I was always interested as a child about how inventions came about, and this book will entertain as well as enlighten kids on a subject that is bound to be of interest to them.
January 21, 2021
Mr. Crum loves to cook so much that he opens his own restaurant. One day, a very picky customer comes in and Mr. Crum is tasked to make potatoes just the way the customer wants them. I enjoyed that the text was playful and at times very alliterative and the illustrations are nice too (the food looks good enough to eat!). There is information in the back about the real Mr. Crum and how the first potato chips were invented. It would be good to use in a lesson on inventions created by BIPOC as Mr. Crum was both African American and Indigenous. This book is more lighthearted than the other children's book about George's life (George Crum and the Saratoga Chip) which delves more into his experiences with adversity and discrimination. I think both books could be utilized in different contexts based on the development of each child and what each child is able to understand about tough topics like racism, but whichever one you decide to read, it definitely needs to be accompanied by some potato chips for a snack (or if you're really feeling creative, try making a batch of your own after reading the book with your child!)
Note: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated in any other fashion for the review and the opinions reflected below are entirely my own. Special thanks to the publisher and author for providing the copy.
Note: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated in any other fashion for the review and the opinions reflected below are entirely my own. Special thanks to the publisher and author for providing the copy.
June 17, 2017
Oh the many ways this clever book could be used! Elements of figurative language? Yep. Alliteration abounds in this tale of a tasty treat. Descriptive writing? Adjectives? Yep and yep. Synonyms? Certainly and assuredly. Genres? This story is introduced as a fictional account, but, with the biographical and historical information included at the end, this story could work nicely to encourage discussion of what makes something historical fiction vs. realistic or informative fiction and whether students could consider this a biography or not and why. Another aspect to explore is fact vs. fiction and how to vet a research source. Indeed, many reviewers claim that George Crum did indeed invent the potato chip. Could a careful researcher prove or disprove that claim? Could students come up with other inventions whose inventors are in some degree of question? Lots and lots of avenues for discussion, all wrapped up in this colorfully illustrated, creatively written book that makes me want to go grab some salty, crunchy, crispy, chips. Oh, and though the story is fictional, it has an excellent example of non-fiction text features in the historical information at the end.
This review is based on an ARC provided by NetGalley.
This review is based on an ARC provided by NetGalley.
February 21, 2018
– IS IT POSSIBLE THE BEST COOK AROUND CAN’T PLEASE A CUSTOMER? –
Before reading the first word of this story it states, “The story you are about to saver is a fictional tale with a helping of truth.”
This fun story features George Crum. A person who loves to cook so much that he opens a restaurant. There he cooks to his heart’s content and his customers devour his wonderful food. Many even consider him to be the best book in the county. But one day Filbert P. Horsefeathers comes in and wants to order potatoes. Potatoes and nothing more. No problem. George Crum cuts potatoes into wedges, boils them, fries them, and sprinkles a little salt on them. But is it possible there is a problem after all? Everyone loves George’s creations! Don’t they?
Though the front of the book states fictional tale based on some truth, the back of the book is filled with Author’s Notes about the real George Crum. It also has acknowledgments, and author’s sources, some which might be good if you wish to pursue George Crum further.
Cons: None
Pros: This book would be very good to use when introducing inventions, history, and perseverance. Or even if you just love taters!
Before reading the first word of this story it states, “The story you are about to saver is a fictional tale with a helping of truth.”
This fun story features George Crum. A person who loves to cook so much that he opens a restaurant. There he cooks to his heart’s content and his customers devour his wonderful food. Many even consider him to be the best book in the county. But one day Filbert P. Horsefeathers comes in and wants to order potatoes. Potatoes and nothing more. No problem. George Crum cuts potatoes into wedges, boils them, fries them, and sprinkles a little salt on them. But is it possible there is a problem after all? Everyone loves George’s creations! Don’t they?
Though the front of the book states fictional tale based on some truth, the back of the book is filled with Author’s Notes about the real George Crum. It also has acknowledgments, and author’s sources, some which might be good if you wish to pursue George Crum further.
Cons: None
Pros: This book would be very good to use when introducing inventions, history, and perseverance. Or even if you just love taters!
September 11, 2017
You want thinner potatoes? I'll show YOU! I'll cut em so thin and fry em up and add salt and see what you think then, Mr Horsefeathers! This book is the story of the invention of potato chips, when a restaurant patron keeps saying his potatoes are undercooked, too thick, and too bland. Felicita Sala's illustrations are colorful and lively; Anne Renaud's story is cheeky and fun, with a sprinkling of Big Words that manage to sound kind of silly and very smart at the same time. At the end of the book, there is more information about the origin of potato chips. The real George Crum was of Native American and African American descent; the patrons at the restaurant in the book also include African Americans. I would definitely buy this book for my kids or for a birthday present for a kid. My 5 year old really digs it, and I think it would be good for kids younger and older. Reviewed on my blog.
Thanks to Netgalley and Kids Can Press for providing an electronic copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
Thanks to Netgalley and Kids Can Press for providing an electronic copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
April 19, 2018
This is not recognized as non-fiction, but based on what is a story passed on in one part of the US, the story of the first potato chips, "Saratoga Chip". George Crum really did exist, was a chef at Moon's Lake House in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. and legend tells that after a picky customer returned fried potatoes, "too thick and undercooked", George is said to have "sliced a potato paper-thin, fried them to a crisp and doused them with salt." In the backmatter, Anne Renaud writes that there are earlier stories of others creating the same kind of 'chip'. She's added sources and some great photos of some of Crum's and Saratoga Chip history. The illustrations are colorful and emphasize the joy of cooking, serving and eating in what was a very popular restaurant. I imagine using this as a text for a class's research project that investigates the origins of different kinds of food! It's a fun story.
October 10, 2018
@kidscanpress #partner | 🥔 A legendary tale about a real famous chef who used to live and work in New York, MR. CRUM’S POTATO PREDICAMENT is bushels of fun!
While there is no evidence to prove that George Crum invented the potato chip, he certainly contributed to their popularity. The legend says that a picky eater at Crum’s restaurant kept sending his fried potatoes back to the kitchen asking for them to be cut thinner. George Crum decided to make the potatoes paper thin, fry them, and pour salt all over them. The crispy potatoes were an instant hit! 🥔
This is a great picture book to add to your collection for the K-3rd grade crowd! Great illustrations complement the plot and bring it to life. This would be a joy to read aloud. ☺️
While there is no evidence to prove that George Crum invented the potato chip, he certainly contributed to their popularity. The legend says that a picky eater at Crum’s restaurant kept sending his fried potatoes back to the kitchen asking for them to be cut thinner. George Crum decided to make the potatoes paper thin, fry them, and pour salt all over them. The crispy potatoes were an instant hit! 🥔
This is a great picture book to add to your collection for the K-3rd grade crowd! Great illustrations complement the plot and bring it to life. This would be a joy to read aloud. ☺️
August 19, 2017
This is a hilarious and adorable story that is inspired on a true story of the man named George Crum who is believed to have invented the potato chip. When a man comes into the restaurant demanding a plate of just potatoes, Mr. Crum thinks that this will be an easy customer. Boy is he wrong. As he tries to figure out the perfect potato dish, he inadvertently creates one of North America's favorite snacks. This is a very cute story and the illustrations are fantastic. The alliterations in the book are fantastic along with the hilarious choice of words. This is a must buy on my list.
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
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