As Ashenburg points out in this colorful volume, hygiene has had its ups and downs over the centuries and "there is no straight line of progress from dirty' to clean.'" Setting out the facts chronologically, the discussion moves from ancient Greek bathing practices to recent shifts in assessing the risks and benefits of microbes on human health. Along the way, the text includes examples from many cultures outside Western civilization. Each chapter leads off with a fictional story, such as Maryam and her mother visiting their neighborhood bathhouse in Constantinople in 1500. Sharply written and often intriguing, the text presents information in relatively short articles and sidebars. Snazzy headings and design elements will also help readers engage with the facts, which are often intriguing, surprising, or amusing. The illustrations, which include vintage photos, paintings, and pictures of artifacts, as well as cartoonlike drawings, add significantly to the discussion. With its lively writing and presentation, this informative book makes the history of cleanliness unexpectedly fun.

Gr 3-7 Ashenburg draws on her adult book The Dirt on Clean to delight the school-age set with a chronological history (mainly Western) of the myths and rituals that have dictated human cleanliness from ancient through modern times. Readers will learn about this odd, and sometimes backward-progressing, history. For instance, Roman emperors constructed lavish imperial baths for the common man, but European rulers of the Middle Ages (and their successors all the way up to the 18th century) discouraged their subjects from bathing. The writing has a humorous tone as it marches through centuries of steam houses, public baths, and street side showers to innovations in soap, shampoo, and toothbrushes. Stylized fonts are used throughout to delineate the chapter topics and side stories, while photos and illustrations reinforce the text. This is similar in topic to Patricia Lauber's picture book What You Never Knew About Tubs, Toilets, and Showers , though more detailed. VERDICT A factual yet witty take on dirt and cleanliness. Highly recommended for school libraries. Sharon M. Lawler, formerly at Randolph Elementary, Randolph AFB, TX