How Sweet It Is (and Was): The History of Candy

Provides a colorfully illustrated review of how many popular candies came into being while explaining how they became associated with certain holiday celebrations, such as candy corn at Halloween and chocolate hearts for Valentine's Day.

Ruth Freeman Swain has been a preschool instructor and taught creative movement. She is the author of two books illustrated by Cat Bowman Smith, "Bedtime!," a National Council of Social Studies Notable book, and "Hairdo!: What We Do and Did to Our Hair,": which Booklist praised as "an entertaining, informative picture book," and which Kirkus Reviews call "a cut above." A native of Pennsylvania, Ms. Swain now lives in Maine.

John O'Brien is an illustrator, musician, and lifeguard. His cartoons appear in The New Yorker and other publications. The many books he has illustrated for children include "Red, White, Blue, and Uncle Who?:" "The Story Behind Some of America's Patriotic Symbols" by Teresa Bateman. Booklist praised his illustrations for that book for their "unexpected humour...playful action and comical details." John O'Brien divides his time between New Jersey and Florida.