What do you think?
Rate this book
No Way!
Strange Foods
You might think anchovies and fruitcake are pretty weird foods. But wait until you hear about durian, a huge, spiky fruit that smells like gym socks. Or salmiakki, the licorice with a salty, fishy taste. And don’t forget kopi luwak, the coffee made from…poop! Discover all kinds of unusual foods from around the world!
32 pages, Library Binding
First published January 1, 2013
About the author
Michael J. Rosen
127 books29 followersRosen's Website should provide all this and more. It's http://www.fidosopher.com.
Nonetheless: Michael J. Rosen is an American author and illustrator with over 120 books of fiction, nonfiction, humor, picture books, poetry, and more. With a strong interest in nature and animals, reflecting his animal behavior degree from Ohio State University, Rosen resides within a peaceful crease of Central Ohio with his pack of animal companions that include 2 small koi ponds he helped build on the 100 acres he shares in the foothills of the Ohio Appalachians. An avid dog lover, he was inspired by Chant, his newest Australian stumpy-tail cattle dog, which led to the creation of his newest book of fiction, The Tale of Rescue, which will be released in October 2015. With an MFA in poetry from Columbia University, Rosen also showcases his skills and talents in other projects such as The Maine Coon’s Haiku: And Other Poems for Cat Lovers (2015).
Nonetheless: Michael J. Rosen is an American author and illustrator with over 120 books of fiction, nonfiction, humor, picture books, poetry, and more. With a strong interest in nature and animals, reflecting his animal behavior degree from Ohio State University, Rosen resides within a peaceful crease of Central Ohio with his pack of animal companions that include 2 small koi ponds he helped build on the 100 acres he shares in the foothills of the Ohio Appalachians. An avid dog lover, he was inspired by Chant, his newest Australian stumpy-tail cattle dog, which led to the creation of his newest book of fiction, The Tale of Rescue, which will be released in October 2015. With an MFA in poetry from Columbia University, Rosen also showcases his skills and talents in other projects such as The Maine Coon’s Haiku: And Other Poems for Cat Lovers (2015).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 30, 2013
This is one of those books that perhaps everybody should read! A short, compact little book with a few foods that the author contends are strange. Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but…
About the only negative is the price - it is a bit high for what you get although to be fair this book is aimed at libraries and the book is rather durable. A separate volume for "home use" at a lower price would probably fly off the shelves if priced as a clear impulse buy. This title is clearly aimed at younger readers although why should adults be kept away from the fun?
Some of the dishes might have you recoil with horror - thousand-year eggs, edible feet and bird's nest soup - yet the reader is carefully, respectfully and authoritatively informed about a whole range of "strange foods" albeit, as you would expect, with a good dose of humour. This reviewer cannot say that he is going to rush, thanks to reading this book, to try the delights of an ammonia-smelling cheese crawling with maggots, but maybe the name will stick in the mind. One is not yet sold on the idea of trying many of these strange dishes…
Inevitably one will be able to look closer to home and find many other strange foods that can tremendously polarise people to either love it or hate it. This reviewer cannot share the enthusiasm of his Swedish neighbours for Surströmming (a fermented smelly tin of herring) that is diplomatically said to be an "acquired taste". Cowardly? You betcha!
That said, this book was eminently enjoyable. Yet if one was forced to choose between eating one of these stranger foods or this book then this book might be rather digestible with a dab of tomato ketchup on the side… To misuse a well-known card players' phrase "read it and weep". Or "read it and gag"?
Strange Foods, written by Michael J. Rosen & Ben Kassoy and published by Lerner Publishing Group/Millbrook Press. ISBN 9780761389842, 32 pages. Typical price: USD24. YYYYY.
// This review appeared in YUM.fi and is reproduced here in full with permission of YUM.fi. YUM.fi celebrates the worldwide diversity of food and drink, as presented through the humble book. Whether you call it a cookery book, cook book, recipe book or something else (in the language of your choice) YUM will provide you with news and reviews of the latest books on the marketplace. //
About the only negative is the price - it is a bit high for what you get although to be fair this book is aimed at libraries and the book is rather durable. A separate volume for "home use" at a lower price would probably fly off the shelves if priced as a clear impulse buy. This title is clearly aimed at younger readers although why should adults be kept away from the fun?
Some of the dishes might have you recoil with horror - thousand-year eggs, edible feet and bird's nest soup - yet the reader is carefully, respectfully and authoritatively informed about a whole range of "strange foods" albeit, as you would expect, with a good dose of humour. This reviewer cannot say that he is going to rush, thanks to reading this book, to try the delights of an ammonia-smelling cheese crawling with maggots, but maybe the name will stick in the mind. One is not yet sold on the idea of trying many of these strange dishes…
Inevitably one will be able to look closer to home and find many other strange foods that can tremendously polarise people to either love it or hate it. This reviewer cannot share the enthusiasm of his Swedish neighbours for Surströmming (a fermented smelly tin of herring) that is diplomatically said to be an "acquired taste". Cowardly? You betcha!
That said, this book was eminently enjoyable. Yet if one was forced to choose between eating one of these stranger foods or this book then this book might be rather digestible with a dab of tomato ketchup on the side… To misuse a well-known card players' phrase "read it and weep". Or "read it and gag"?
Strange Foods, written by Michael J. Rosen & Ben Kassoy and published by Lerner Publishing Group/Millbrook Press. ISBN 9780761389842, 32 pages. Typical price: USD24. YYYYY.
// This review appeared in YUM.fi and is reproduced here in full with permission of YUM.fi. YUM.fi celebrates the worldwide diversity of food and drink, as presented through the humble book. Whether you call it a cookery book, cook book, recipe book or something else (in the language of your choice) YUM will provide you with news and reviews of the latest books on the marketplace. //
August 6, 2016
Rosen and Kassoy’s ‘Strange Foods’ earns 5/5 star ‘gross’ factor
When I selected “Strange Foods (No Way!)” from @NetGalley I didn’t realize what I had gotten myself into. What I was expecting was baby octopus, slimy eels, chocolate-covered grasshoppers, ants and the like. What I found was much, much worse. “Strange Foods” is one of six books in the ‘No Way!’ series. I agree. No way! In a minute, you’ll say ‘no way’ too.
Have you ever considered eating a bird’s nest? Did you know that it is considered a delicacy around the world? According to authors, Rosen and Kassoy, bird’s nest soup goes for about $100 a bowl in the United States. Seriously. It gets better. Guess what the main ingredient is – spit! Yummy. Are you hungry yet? No? Well, read this book to find out about thousand-year eggs (fermented eggs), casu marzu (a sheep’s milk cheese covered with maggots – on purpose!), yak butter tea, baby mouse wine (dead ones soaked in rice wine), jellyfish candies and Kopi luwak (a coffee made from poop).
The pages of “Strange Foods” are brightly colored with large photographs. It includes a glossary, source notes, books and websites for further reading, and an index. Dig in. You’re going to love it!
When I selected “Strange Foods (No Way!)” from @NetGalley I didn’t realize what I had gotten myself into. What I was expecting was baby octopus, slimy eels, chocolate-covered grasshoppers, ants and the like. What I found was much, much worse. “Strange Foods” is one of six books in the ‘No Way!’ series. I agree. No way! In a minute, you’ll say ‘no way’ too.
Have you ever considered eating a bird’s nest? Did you know that it is considered a delicacy around the world? According to authors, Rosen and Kassoy, bird’s nest soup goes for about $100 a bowl in the United States. Seriously. It gets better. Guess what the main ingredient is – spit! Yummy. Are you hungry yet? No? Well, read this book to find out about thousand-year eggs (fermented eggs), casu marzu (a sheep’s milk cheese covered with maggots – on purpose!), yak butter tea, baby mouse wine (dead ones soaked in rice wine), jellyfish candies and Kopi luwak (a coffee made from poop).
The pages of “Strange Foods” are brightly colored with large photographs. It includes a glossary, source notes, books and websites for further reading, and an index. Dig in. You’re going to love it!
August 25, 2016
Book Description:
“You might think anchovies and fruitcake are pretty weird foods. But wait until you hear about durian, a huge, spiky fruit that smells like gym socks. Or salmiakki , the licorice with a salty, fishy taste. And don’t forget kopi luwak , the coffee made from…poop! Discover all kinds of unusual foods from around the world!”
A great learning lessons about fascinating yet extremely outrageous (and sometimes nauseating!) kinds of unusual foods and their uses from around the world. The items are weird and definitely shocking. There is also a little bit of history too- historical facts and lessons in history in addition to recipes and cooking lessons.
This is an excellent book for any elementary or middle school students geared not only to boys but girls as well. A reluctant reader will be engrossed not only by the pictures and illustrations but with all the interesting, strange and wacky incredible facts and story telling.
This will engage any reader just for the sometimes nasty and funny content, but one should not have a “weak” stomach! The researching and fact checking that went into this book is impressive.
“You might think anchovies and fruitcake are pretty weird foods. But wait until you hear about durian, a huge, spiky fruit that smells like gym socks. Or salmiakki , the licorice with a salty, fishy taste. And don’t forget kopi luwak , the coffee made from…poop! Discover all kinds of unusual foods from around the world!”
A great learning lessons about fascinating yet extremely outrageous (and sometimes nauseating!) kinds of unusual foods and their uses from around the world. The items are weird and definitely shocking. There is also a little bit of history too- historical facts and lessons in history in addition to recipes and cooking lessons.
This is an excellent book for any elementary or middle school students geared not only to boys but girls as well. A reluctant reader will be engrossed not only by the pictures and illustrations but with all the interesting, strange and wacky incredible facts and story telling.
This will engage any reader just for the sometimes nasty and funny content, but one should not have a “weak” stomach! The researching and fact checking that went into this book is impressive.
May 11, 2013
If you are trying to get your kid to be the next Andres Zimmern and have their own food show where they travel the world trying different strange foods, then this book might be the right book for you to pick up for them for a birthday or Christmas.
Strange foods is 36 pages of unique eats. Each food has a two pages of fascinating information about the the food item and will educate you for the next time that you are trying to figure out if you really want to order the deep fried water bugs or not. This book is definitely designed for young readers and has some great pictures and illustrations in it to grab their attention and take advantage of the "Oh Gross" factor.
It really was not my thing but I am sure that it will serve a particular audience.
Strange foods is 36 pages of unique eats. Each food has a two pages of fascinating information about the the food item and will educate you for the next time that you are trying to figure out if you really want to order the deep fried water bugs or not. This book is definitely designed for young readers and has some great pictures and illustrations in it to grab their attention and take advantage of the "Oh Gross" factor.
It really was not my thing but I am sure that it will serve a particular audience.
July 29, 2013
If you have a kid that loves Bizarre Foods - this is the book for them. Filled with a variety of strange foods, Michael Rosen has created a book that is entertaining as well as educational. Some of the foods have lengthy descriptions (for the book) while others are grouped together by category. There are cultural references and even some recipes. This book makes trying new foods sound appealing even if the food may not be at first. I highly recommend this and can't wait to see if more follow.
August 12, 2016
I liked this book because it is interesting on what the food is used for,what it can do to help your body by eating the food and what some people believe it can do to help you and to not get hurt. Even though I liked this book, before i read what was on the pages some of the pictures looked disgusting and what it said before i got to the end of each food it was weird but cool at the same time.
February 22, 2014
The gross-factor will always attract readers - particularly young yet reluctant readers. Strange Foods is full of funny illustrations as well as photos of some of the most bizarre things that people eat around the world. The presentation is attractive and will find an audience with many kids.
November 20, 2013
Recipes for thousand-year eggs and yak butter tea along with info about fugu, water bugs, birds' nest soup, mithridatism, kiviak, kopi luwak, etc. Mmmaybe a tiny bit disrespectful to the cultures that consume these foods?
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews