National Hamburger Day

Author Kim Zachman wondered why we there is no ham in something we call hamburgers, so she researched it. The result is a wonderful book on food origins. Kids ages 8 to 12 and up will love the stories, and they will learn a lot about nutrition, history, and food science. Zachman was impressed by how much American food is influenced by other cultures, folklore, tradition, and even religion. According to Zachman, no one really knows for sure who invented the hamburger, but she traces it’s origins all the way back to Genghis Khan and his rather disgusting way of tenderizing meat. There are several claims later in history to who put the first patty between two buns. All the stories are given, and you can vote for your favorite on her website. The facts and stories are illustrated with whimsical line drawings by Peter Donnelly. This book would be a great asset to any kitchen or classroom.