Recommended Reads: Snacks

"The Moon Pie is a bedrock of the country store and rural tradition. It is more than a snack. It is a cultural artifact." - William Ferris

In honor of National Popcorn Month we offer up this list of titles full of tasty treats to tempt you.

Recorded cassette (RC), braille (BR), and large print (LT) copies of these books are available from the Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library. In addition there is one audio described video (DV).  Please contact the library to order any of these items.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
DV 907
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is the story of a poor young boy who finds one of only a few golden tickets that wins him a tour through the most magnificent chocolate factory in the world. The tour is led by a most unusual candy maker, Willy Wonka (played by the great Johnny Depp). Charlie watches as one by one, the other ticket-winners fall victim to their own vices. Tim Burton directs this visually stunning box-office blockbuster. MPAA Rating - PG. Parental guidance.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
BR 11466, RC 33498
Five children win a coveted tour of Mr. Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. Four of the children meet disaster at their own hands, but a deserving boy wins both the day and the factory. For grades 4-7.

Peppermint Twisted: a Candy Shop Mystery by Sammi Carter
LT 8592
In Paradise, Colorado, Abby Shaw, the owner of Divinity candy shop, finds herself in a sticky situation when Felicity Asbury, the obnoxious director of the annual arts festival, is murdered and she becomes the prime suspect.

Hansel and Gretel by Rika Lesser
RC 22393
A poor woodcutter's children, lost in the forest, come upon a witch's house made of bread, pancakes, and candy. They soon discover the wicked witch likes to have children for dinner.

The Magic Circle by Donna Jo Napoli
RC 39230
A sorceress known as the Ugly One narrates this riveting tale of how, tricked by the devil's minions, she loses her gifts of healing. She ekes out a solitary existence in an enchanted forest, where she has decorated her house with sweets in memory of her beloved daughter. Then she takes in two wandering children named Hansel and Gretel. For grades 6-9 and older readers.

The Candy Corn Contest by Patricia Reilly Giff
RC 25051
Even though he's just as anxious as the rest of the kids in room 113 to guess how many candy corns are in the huge jar on Ms. Rooney's desk, Richard Best has extra worries on his mind--such as the sleeping arrangements for his upcoming sleepover party with smelly Matthew Jackson. For grades 2-4.

The Gumdrop Tree by Elizabeth Spurr
RC 41286
When her father gives her a bag of gumdrops, the little girl doesn't want to eat them because then they would be gone. She plays with her pretty candy until she has an idea. She will plant them and grow a gumdrop tree! For preschool-grade 2.

Sweets by Tim Richardson
RC 58771
British journalist explores the history of candy, from the ancient world to the present. In-depth investigations enriched by anecdotes cover the physiology of sweetness, candy's global diversity, odd characters in the confectionery industry, and myths and folklore of sweets.

Stink and the Incredible Super-Galactic Jawbreaker by Megan McDonald
RC 63438
Seven-year-old Stink Moody, first featured in Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Kid (RC 60667), discovers that writing letters to candy and toy companies results in getting boxes of free samples. In all the excitement, he overlooks an invitation to celebrate his best friend's birthday. For grades 2-4.

Max and Ruby's Midas: Another Greek Myth by Mary Wells
BR 10041
Print/Braille. Max loves to eat sweets, but his sister Ruby knows they are  not good for Max. So she tells him a story about King Midas and how he was able to turn things he did not want into something else. Before long Max  turns his mother into a cherry float and his father into lime Jell-O. For preschool-grade 2.

Mouse Mess by Linnea Riley
BR 12004
Print/Braille. The sleeping little mouse wakes up when the family goes to bed. Since he is very hungry, he goes to the kitchen where he finds cookies and crackers, milk and cheese, and peanut butter and jam. And when he is full, he goes back to bed. But what a mess he has made. For preschool-grade 2.

Oreo Cookie Counting Book by Sarah Albee
BRM 1349
Print/Braille. A counting book involving yummy cookies. For Preschool - Grade 2.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke
RC 54603
Bakery owner Hannah Swensen of Lake Eden, Minnesota, discovers the body of the local dairy delivery man in her alley. Although her brother-in-law, Bill Todd, is a deputy sheriff, Hannah does some sleuthing of her own. Then another murder occurs. Includes cookie recipes.

Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
BR 9187, RC 36256, RC 37694 (Spanish)
When Pedro asks Mama Elena for the hand of her youngest daughter, Tita, he is offered her sister instead. By family tradition, Tita is to remain unmarried to care for her mother. Tita, a magical cook, shares recipes that, seasoned by her emotions, have an extraordinary impact on the events that follow her mother's decision. Descriptions of sex. Bestseller.

The True History of Chocolate by Sophie D. Coe and Michael D. Coe
BR 17183
Traces the development of processed chocolate from its pre-Columbian origins to its modern forms. Explains the steps involved in turning the seeds of the cacao plant into a drink. Discusses chocolate's culinary transformation in Europe and its evolution from an elite luxury to food for the masses.

The Story of Chocolate by C.J. Polin
BR 16135
History of chocolate, beginning with the farming of Central American cacao trees in ancient times. Follows explorers' transportation of cocoa beans to Spain and the growth of chocolate's popularity. Discusses European inventions for processing cocoa and describes a vast modern industry. Uncontracted braille. For grades 2-4 and older readers.

The Life and Times of the Peanut by Charles Micucci
RC 46503
Covers the life cycle of the peanut from planting through harvesting and eating. Explains how the legumes grow blossoms and, when the flowers wither, send shoots into the ground that become peanuts. Includes historical information and discusses the many uses of this nut. For grades 2-4 and older readers.

The Popcorn Book by Tomie De Paola
RC 56913
While one boy makes popcorn on the stove, his brother reads interesting facts about this favorite American snack to him. Includes two recipes for preparing popcorn the old-fashioned way -- before microwave ovens. For grades 2-4.

Midnight Sweets by Bette Pesetsky
RC 30006
Cookie baking has become a successful career for Theodora with stores called "The Cookie Lady." The defection of her second husband prompts reflections about her life, her husbands, children, and early episodes of breaking-and-entering and her search for the perfect cookie. Some strong language.