Katrina Streza - Map Candy

Map Candy

by Katrina Streza
Text copyright 2012 Katrina Streza

Second digital edition

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission in writing from the publisher.

ISBN: 978-1-62395-369-0

eISBN: 978-1-62395-371-3

Published in the United States by Xist Publishing
www.XistPublishing.com

Contents

Chapter One:
A Special Guest

M rs. Morris reached high above her head and pulled down the big classroom map.

All right, boys and girls. Today, were going to start our unit on Geography.

The class groaned. Kids started to whisper to each other. Maria raised her hand. Mrs. Morris, dont we usually go to music class with Mr. Anderson right now?

Mrs. Morris nodded. Thats right, Maria, but we have a special guest waiting outside the door. Im sure hell be able to make Geography fun and interesting. She turned to Danny. Danny, would you please go to the door and invite in our special guest?

As Danny walked to the door, he thought about who might be waiting in the hallway. Maybe it was an explorer! Maybe it was a mountain climber! Maybe it was a mapmaker! Maybe it was an airline pilot! Maybe it was an animal trainer from Africa! Or a tightrope walker from China!

Danny slowly opened the door and peeked into the hallway. It was Mr. Candor from Mr. Candors Candy Shop. Oh, Danny said. Its you.

Mr. Candor looked puzzled. Why, Danny, you always seem so happy to see me when you come into the shop. Why are you sad?

I was hoping to see an explorer or an animal trainer or at least someone who had traveled around the world. Your shop is right down the street. Danny returned to his seat with a sigh.

Mr. Candor looked out at all of the sad faces. Mrs. Morris, whats the matter with all of these kids? he asked. I thought they would be happy to have a special lesson on geography from a guest teacher.

Mrs. Morris glared at the class. Boys and girls, I am not happy with you right now. I know you are sad that we arent going to music today, but you still need to be polite to our guest.

The whole class chorused, Sorry, Mr. Candor.

Mr. Candor replied, Thats all right, children, I guess it might be a bit of a surprise to have a candy shop owner come in to teach you about Geography. You know what? If you dont all enjoy my lesson, you can all have your choice of candy from my bag.

At that point, all of the kids noticed that Mr. Candor had wheeled in a big, black bag covered in zippers.

Im sorry for not being polite, Mr. Candor, Danny said. Im sure well enjoy your lesson, though we might pretend not to so we can have a taste of candy.

Mr. Candor chuckled. He grinned. He laughed long and loud.

Thank you, Danny. I think you are ready to learn about geography.

Chapter Two:
Fondue

M r. Candor unzipped a pocket, reached into his big black bag and pulled out a brown paper bag.

May I please have a volunteer? he asked.

Every hand shot into the air. Some kids were stretching their fingers so high that it looked like they were trying to touch the ceiling. Mr. Candor tapped his chin and then pointed.

Michelle, would you please come up here? he asked, holding out the brown bag.

Id like you to smell this bag. Stick your nose right up to it and give it a good sniff.

Michelle leaned forward. She sniffed and sniffed and then she smiled.

May I tell everyone what I think it is? she asked, looking at Mr. Candor. At his nod, she turned to the class and said, Its chocolate! Its a bag full of chocolate!

Thats right, Michelle. You may sit down. Mr. Candor opened the bag and pulled out a block of dark brown chocolate. This chocolate is from Switzerlandit is used for chocolate fondue.

Sams hand flew into the air. Whats fondue, Mr. Candor?

Fondue is a European dish that cooks food in hot liquid. He pointed to the map as he mentioned each country. In France, they often cook meats and vegetables in broth. In Switzerland, people dip breads and meats in cheese. And all over Europe, they dip fruits, cookies, cakes, and breads in hot chocolate.

How do they keep it warm? Danny asked.

Well, the Swiss or people from Switzerland invented a special pot called a fondue pot. It is held over a little fire or on an electric plate and it keeps the chocolate warm. When I was traveling through Zurich I ate fondue every single night.

The whole class stared at Mr. Candor. Their eyes were big as they imagined dipping their dessert in chocolate.

Mr. Candor added, pointing at the map, Zurich was not the only city I visited on that trip. I also traveled northeast to Hamburg, a city in Germany.

Chapter Three:
Gummies

T he whole class watched as Mr. Candor traced his journey from Zurich to Hamburg along the map.

In Germany, I ate something you are all familiar with. He reached down to his big black bag and unzipped another zipper. He pulled out a small glass jar.

The whole class grinned at Mr. Candor. Gummy bears! Red gummy bears! Yellow gummy bears! Green and blue and purple gummy bears!

Did you know that gummy bears were first made in Germany? Mr. Candor asked.

The whole class shook their heads.

Im not 100% sure who first made them. Maybe it was a mommy telling her kids the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Maybe it was a grandmother trying to teach the children of a village their colors or how to count. Whoever it was, though, Im thankful that someone had the idea to make gummy bears. Less than one hundred years ago, Germany built the first gummy bear factory. They made cherry, grape, lemon, orange, and apple flavored gummy bears, and weve been enjoying them ever since.

The class watched Mr. Candor, their eyes glued to his face as he pointed to continents on the map.

Did you know that bears live on six of the seven continents? Bears live in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.

Stacy raised her hand. Arent there bears in Australia? What about koala bears?

Mr. Candor and Mrs. Morris both smiled. Actually, Mr. Candor said, Koalas are not related to our brown or black bears. They are marsupialsthey carry their babies in pouches and have very soft, very thick fur.

Stacy raised her hand again, Does that mean youve touched a koala?

Good listening, Stacy. Mr. Candor said. A few years ago, when I was learning about Australian candy, I did get to hold a Koala. And you know what? It looked a lot like this gummy bear right here.