This is the story of Ruth Wakefield and the invention of the chocolate chip cookie (the Toll House recipe) - what we know, and what we don't know. There is an engaging section in the middle of the book, which uses a distinct illustration style (rather like old comic books, made up of tiny printed red, yellow, and blue dots) to present the three ways the story has been told - "The Disaster," "The Substitute," and "The Mastermind" - and then asks the reader, "So, which version do you believe?" Ford's opinion is that Ruth knew what she was doing ("she was one smart cookie!"), but either way, it's back to the story!

The cartoonish characters look a bit like The Jetsons, but Ford continually mixes up the art styles (he used Doc Martin dyes, Adobe Illustrator, and Photoshop). Back matter includes an author's note, the Toll House Chocolate Crunch Cookies recipe, and a bibliography.

Lively and delicious!

See also: Gingerbread for Liberty and Try It!, both by Mara Rockliff ( )

I liked how this book modeled quality research. And the story wasn't that boring either. I mean, haven't you ever wondered about the invention of chocolate chip cookies? ( )

This fun story presents three theories for the creation of the chocolate chip cookie. The text is written in a way that naturally invites the readers to weigh in on which theory seems most plausible. Kids will love learning about their favorite treat! Includes Author’s Note, Recipe, Bibliography.

How the Cookie Crumbled : the True (and Not-So-True) Stories of the Invention of the Chocolate Chip Cookie / written and illustrated by Gilbert Ford -- New York: Atheneum Books, c2017. (40 pages) CURRICULUM-CHOCOLATE

SUMMARY: Everything has a beginning, including chocolate chip cookies. The only thing is no one knows what really happened...so here is a book that shares all the stories and legends of the now famous Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie.

REVIEW: A good book about history, inventions, success in business and one remarkable woman which lead to the creation of the Chocolate Chip Cookie. A great addition to curriculum for chocolate or women's history. Includes the famous recipe. ( )