Did you know that hot dogs and Groundhog's Day originated in Germany? And that beer did not? You find out plenty in this interesting little book. A spirited discussion about the things that came from Germany includes--inventions, such as the printing press; modes of transportation, such as the first successful gasoline-powered automobile; and household items like cologne (first bottle made of lemon, orange, and mint oil by a barber in the town of Cologne). Other sections discuss customs, such as the origins of the birthday cake with candles and the tradition of making a wish; pets like the poodle that was trained to retrieve ducks from puddles; fairy tales written down by the Brothers Grimm; and food, such as strudel, Black Forest cake, and the hamburger! All of this is laid out attractively with large pictures suitable for presenting to a classroom. There is a short list of English words with German translations and a pronunciation guide. Also, there is a map, list of resources, glossary, and index. One of the "What Came from" series. 1999, Franklin Watts/Grolier Publishing, Ages 7 to 10, $21.00 and $6.95. Reviewer: Carol Raker Collins—Children's Literature