Nominees:   2022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001

2018 Nominee

All the Dirt: A History of Getting Clean

Written by Katherine Ashenburg.
Published in 2016 by Annick Press.

Cleanliness is next to godliness. At least that was the point of view espoused by John Wesley in 18th century England. But accounts of people bathing go back to the Bronze Age in the Indus Valley. All the Dirt on Getting Clean is a lively, informative exploration of the evolution of keeping clean. Starting with a number of myths about cleanliness, the author quickly establishes how our ideas have changed drastically over time, and how the definition of cleanliness in one part of the world may differ radically from another. There is just enough of a gross factor that the target audience of 9 to 12-year-olds will find the book as entertaining as it is enlightening. Colorful spreads, lots of sidebars, humorous illustrations, and photos make it ideal for browsing as well as reading in depth.

Read Canadian Materials Review


5 thoughts on “All the Dirt: A History of Getting Clean

  1. General Stewart

    This book is not only a book about dirt, it is a full history outline about getting clean, recipes, and even a timeline highlighting ways in which religion, wealth, policies, and science have all played key roles in how societies have viewed the rituals and roles of cleanliness! A very exciting non fiction educating book!


Review This Book