Olaf Hajek’s Fantastic Fruits
by Olaf Hajek, Annette Roeder

3 out of 5 stars

This book pairs whimsical artwork of fruit together with history and myths about each fruit. Did you know that when pineapples were first introduced to Europe only the very wealthy could afford them? Legend says that spirits inhabit cherry trees. There is a story that a starving woman prayed for food, and the beads of her necklace were turned into blueberries for her to eat.

I never realized there were so many interesting stories about fruit! It was fun to read about the actual history behind the cultivation everyday fruits that we take for granted. I especially loved the role that some fruits have played in ancient stories and mythology.

The artwork is definitely different than anything I have seen before. The bright colors are almost garish, and the designs are weird and whimsical. It’s so imaginative!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.