CHARLOTTE FOLTZ JONES was an author of award-winning nonfiction books for children, as well as numerous magazine articles. JOHN O'BRIEN is a frequent contributor to the <i>New Yorker</i> magazine and has illustrated many popular children's books.
A splendid book that is as informative as it is entertaining. Jones has great fun with facts, dredging up plenty in a lively, anecdotal account that recollects the oddball origins of a variety of foods, clothing, toys, and devices....A gem of a book. --Booklist, starred review