Ice Cream Man: How Augustus Jackson Made a Sweet Treat Better, written by Glenda Armand and Kim Freeman, and illustrated by Keith Mallett. Crown, Penguin Random House, 2023. $25.99 ages 5 and up

 

"Gus became an expert at making a cold, 
sweet pudding with eggs and milk. It was 
called ice cream, and it had been a favorite 
of presidents since George Washington. Gus
made the sweet treat in an ice cream "machine" - 
a wooden bucket with a metal canister inside. 

Making ice cream was a slow process. Gus 
had to time it just right so it would be ready 
when dessert was served."

Gus Jackson was born in 1808, a free African American, who loved making meals for his family. At 12, he found a job working in the White House kitchen, helping the cooking staff do jobs that needed doing. Gus worked hard. 5 years later, he was promoted to cook where he learned to make ice cream. Everyone who came to the White House for dinner loved it. 

That led Gus to a new dream. He wanted to make ice cream for everyone. At 22, he said goodbye to his friends in the White House kitchen and went home again. He soon opened his own ice cream shop. He needed to find a way to make his ice cream last longer than it did if you were serving it only to dinner guests. Placing tins of ice cream in ice chips and then in a big block of ice was a hit. People filled his shop wanting to buy his ice cream. 

With his shop and a push cart for outside sales, he sold all the ice cream he made. Others now opened their own shops. Gus decided he would sell his ice cream to them. He had to put on his thinking cap to make another dream come true.  How could he make it faster and last longer? He did it - he figured it out! 

"Ice cream! Ice cream! Quite a treat! 
Come smile awhile and beat the heat! 
Try butter pecan - rum raisin, too!
Got a sweet tooth? Made just for you!"

This kind of little-known story is exactly why I love to read picture book biographies. You can meet new and interesting people every time you read one, then introduce your kids and students to real-life heroes who have done amazing things. Just like Gus did! 

Keith Mallett created the art for this book using digital painting. That art is reminiscent of the time period, and the settings where Gus lived his life. Expressive faces, period clothing and contextual drawings help with understanding for young readers. Back matter includes a recipe for making ice cream, an afterword and a list of sources.