There are photographs in every chapter, and a timeline of major events and a related facts page end each book. As reference material, this series would be helpful to students when they are beginning to learn to do research since so many primary sources are included. The books would also be valuable when young readers are assigned a biography to read.

These corporate histories contain some intriguing tidbits about the lives and methods of the inventors and entrepreneurs. . . . Photographs of the people and their products are interspersed throughout the texts.

Filled with photos, this small, square entry in the Food Dudes series gives a concise look at how a candy empire was created. In short, simple sentences, Mattern writes frankly about the complicated family dynamics among the Mars clan as she creates a compelling portrait of a single company’s growth. With such kid-familiar products at the story’s center, this glimpse of business history will likely attract young grade-schoolers seeking material for basic biography reports. A time line, a page of “Fun Bites” facts, and a link to the publisher’s website, where students can find more online resources, conclude.

Divided into easily digestible chapter spreads, these books explore the lives of noteworthy food-industry pioneers and how famous franchises and products, such as Gatorade and McDonald’s, were invented and/or developed. A “Fun Bites” section at the end of each book highlights interesting trivia about the products. Colorful, captioned photographs enhance the information and create visual appeal for a broad range of learning levels. Clear, purposeful language stresses the importance of hard work and diligence and conveys a sense of excitement for the science of invention.