Thomas Jefferson's Feast

by Frank Murphy

Did you know that every time you munch on a french fry or snack on ice cream, you have Thomas Jefferson to thank? It’s true! This founding father was one of America’s first foodies. After a visit to France, he introduced all sorts of yummy treats to America—including one that upset more than just tummies and created a culinary controversy!

Get the scoop in this deliciously funny, true story—guaranteed to tempt even the most reluctant readers!

Genres: History, Childrens, Biography, Picture Books, American History, Historical, American

50 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Looking at the illustrations, you'd think Jefferson did almost all his planting, harvesting, cooking and serving. Not sure you can justify a book about Jefferson growing, cooking and serving a fancy meal without a mention of slavery.

[Scott Hayden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the Ben Franklin and Magic Squares book, this little book is packed with history. I didn't know Thomas Jefferson loved food so much. Sure makes him seem more human and less history super hero. It's cute how the author never tells you what love apples are.

[Malinda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thomas Jefferson didn't introduce the U S to French cooking. James Hemmings, who was enslaved by Jefferson, introduced the US to French cooking. After being the first American chef to train in France, Hemmings became a world-class, well-regarded culinary genius. He should have been the main character of this book.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I agree with some of the other reviewers, that the book doesn't really paint an accurate image of how Jefferson's "farm to table" operation was accomplished. But, I think it does help children acquire some interesting facts about Thomas Jefferson, his accomplishments and interests to assist with the full learning process. My opinion is that not every book needs to provide information on the tough topics. We can teach our children pieces of history and the people who were in it independent of the bigger picture and still get good, compassionate humans. Who knew that Thomas Jefferson brought French fries, tomatoes and ice cream to the US!? And now I also know where the name for "Bon Bon" (very 80s ice cream treat) came from. These are certainly fun facts for a kid or an adult to know!

[Jack O · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am happy that Thomas Jefferson brought french fries, ice cream, and love apples. He brought all kinds of things. Without love apples, which are actually tomatoes, we wouldn't have ketchup or pizza sauce. I like that he had a bird named Dick. I give this book an 8 out of 10, maybe actually a 9 out of 10. I did not like some of the illustrations. I am also glad Thomas Jefferson invented the dumb waiter because without that they wouldn't have had that funny part in Home Alone 2. I like that the illustrator included a mouse. - Jack, age 8

[Meredith Sommers · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is so close to good, but so, so far away. It credits Thomas Jefferson with introducing all kinds of good foods to the US, which he sort of did, buuuuuut . . . James Hemmings was the chef who learned to make these dishes, and is not mentioned *at all,* nor are the others enslaved at Monticello. This book would have us believe Thomas Jefferson himself was putting tomato plants in the ground, and whipping up mac & cheese, which he really just wasn't.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

We know Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, about Monticello, and that he was in France. I knew he was a wine connoisseur, but I didn't know he had a thing about food.
I didn't know he introduced mac & cheese, ice cream, French fries and tomotatoes to the new world.

[Shelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

This a fun read for young readers and listeners that offers a look into a lesser know side of Thomas Jefferson, his pallet. Jefferson had a passion for food and sharing that passion with others.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This adds a fun twist to learning about Thomas Jefferson--all the foods he was exposed to in France that he brought back to America!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My boys loved this!

[Faranae · Rating 1 out of 5]

Complete propaganda. So worthless, I wouldn't even use it as toilet paper. Everyone involved in creating this book should be ashamed of themselves.

[Alexis Verzal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really really funny did not know most of these things about Thomas Jefferson

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

How amazing when interesting historical characters from the past can be read about in fun books like this. Great book!

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long ago there lived a man . His named was Thomas Jefferson . He loved to read. He liked to collected books about stars and history . In fact he had one of the largest library in the American. He wrote over 20,000 letters . Thomas Jefferson also loved to eat food!! But in 1784 Thomas leave Americans and went to France.

His life was really interesting and there is very nice pictures in the book.

[Gabrielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This a fun easy read for young readers (7-9)(P,I) about Thomas Jefferson and his love for food. He went and visited France and experienced a lot of different foods. He enjoyed the food so much he came back and introduced the foods to American. One of the many foods he brought back was macaroni and cheese.
This is a fun book to learn how some of the favorite foods came from France.
The students can discuss what is a food that we have in America that another country may like.

[midnightfaerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book my 6 yr old loved, a little old for my preschoolers. A solid reading level 4 book, this reader has a good amount of advanced vocabulary words, but not so long that it discourages a new reader. Used it for his read out loud book, which was perfect. It took about 20 mins for him to read and had just enough new vocabulary words to make it challenging. Also, it was a fun and interesting story he could get into. He liked it so much, he asked for more by this author. Great reading book!

[midnightfaerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book my 6 yr old loved, a little old for my preschoolers. A solid reading level 4 book, this reader has a good amount of advanced vocabulary words, but not so long that it discourages a new reader. Used it for his read out loud book, which was perfect. It took about 20 mins for him to read and had just enough new vocabulary words to make it challenging. Also, it was a fun and interesting story he could get into. He liked it so much, he asked for more by this author. Great reading book!

[Ella · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book I learned that Thomas Jefferson liked to write books and eat. He once went to France and tried lots of different foods such as French fries and macaroni and cheese and introduced them to America. He called tomatoes "Love Apples."

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a simple, yet interesting story of Thomas Jefferson's love of food and how his stay in France is responsible for introducing America to tomatoes, macaroni and cheese, french fries, and ice cream. It also mentioned his invention of the dumbwaiter. Very interesting and well researched.

[Catherine Woodman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This whole series is a good introduction to famous folks at a casual level

[Jaymie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool history story for kids!

[Malu Barrios · Rating 5 out of 5]

very interesting

[Bargain Sleuth Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never explained that the "love apple" was really a tomato. I'm not sure kids would figure it out. Otherwise, good book.

[Wasif · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thomas Jefferson was a great men he love to read and write. He write 20,000 letters in 55 year. He love to eat food and often get up at night to eat. In 1784, Thomas sailed to France because he wanted to make strong friendship with France. He also know there would be great new food to try. He tasted macaroni covered with cheese, ice cream wrapped with pie crust and a spacial fruit name love apple (tomato) In america the people think it is poison fruit, But Thomas know it was not. He sailed back to America after 5 year. He invited some guest to his house, and share french food with them even love fruit. Everyone loved it but noone have eat love fruit, because they think it is poisoned. Thomas notice that no one have eaten love fruit. S o he offered some to his guest but every one said ' we are full' Thomas know why they say that. So he Thomas had an idea, he went to his friend's house picked some love fruit and start walking on the street While eating. People thought he might get sick but Thomas didn't get sick. People was curious so they tasted some and the love it!!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice little story, nice drawings.