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above: the front and back covers of the picture book’s hard case, depicting a hot dog, condiments, and Frank De Wienerdog’s nose!
HOT DOG! The History of America’s Favorite Sausage -written by Christine Van Zandt & illustrated by Steven Salerno. Published by Odd Dot books (imprint of MacMillan Children’s Publishing Group)
A delicious adventure through history -from ancient Egypt, to the German immigrants arriving in America bringing their sausages and dachshunds, and how over time the common sausage evolved into the incredibly popular American hot dog, as told by the comically entertaining Frank De Wienerdog!
Visual and Educational Feast. Get ready for a "frank" look at food culture! Did you know Americans devour a staggering 20 billion hot dogs every year? That’s enough to stretch to the moon and back! Author Christine Van Zandt masterfully blends humor and history, while Steven Salerno’s bold, playful illustrations bring the zany spirit of this tale to life on every page.
REVIEWS
"This pun-derful tribute to the tube steak is sure to make salivary glands sit up and beg. A 'wiener' for young foodies." —Kirkus Reviews
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above: cover of HOT DOG! The History of America’s Favorite Sausage -narrated by Frank De Wienerdog
HOT DOG! The History of America’s Favorite Sausage -written by Christine Van Zandt & illustrated by Steven Salerno. Published by Odd Dot books (imprint of MacMillan Children’s Publishing Group)
-A Junior Library Guild GOLD STANDARD Selection 2026
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above: the narrator of the story, Frank De Wienerdog, sitting inside a hot dog bun.
HOT DOG! The History of America’s Favorite Sausage -written by Christine Van Zandt & illustrated by Steven Salerno. Published by Odd Dot books (imprint of MacMillan Children’s Publishing Group)
click upper right corner of images to enlarge
above: Frank De Wienerdog before a map of Europe indicating the country Germany and its history of making sausages.
HOT DOG! The History of America’s Favorite Sausage -written by Christine Van Zandt & illustrated by Steven Salerno. Published by Odd Dot books (imprint of MacMillan Children’s Publishing Group)
click upper right corner of images to enlarge
above: mid 1800’s German immigrants arriving in America bringing their dachshunds and sausages…
HOT DOG! The History of America’s Favorite Sausage -written by Christine Van Zandt & illustrated by Steven Salerno. Published by Odd Dot books (imprint of MacMillan Children’s Publishing Group)
click upper right corner of images to enlarge
above: detail view of a German immigrant street vendor in 1870’s NYC selling sausages, then called Red Hots.
HOT DOG! The History of America’s Favorite Sausage -written by Christine Van Zandt & illustrated by Steven Salerno. Published by Odd Dot books (imprint of MacMillan Children’s Publishing Group)
click upper right corner of images to enlarge
above: detail of a scene in the early 1900’s of New York City’s Coney Island Boardwalk –and the very first Nathan’s hot dog location.
HOT DOG! The History of America’s Favorite Sausage -written by Christine Van Zandt & illustrated by Steven Salerno. Published by Odd Dot books (imprint of MacMillan Children’s Publishing Group)
click upper right corner of images to enlarge
above: detailed view of a 1940’s era baseball stadium scene with fans enjoying hot dogs, and Frank De Wienerdog trying to catch a home run ball!
HOT DOG! The History of America’s Favorite Sausage -written by Christine Van Zandt & illustrated by Steven Salerno. Published by Odd Dot books (imprint of MacMillan Children’s Publishing Group)
click upper right corner of images to enlarge
above: many of the favorite condiments people enjoy on their hot dogs!
HOT DOG! The History of America’s Favorite Sausage -written by Christine Van Zandt & illustrated by Steven Salerno. Published by Odd Dot books (imprint of MacMillan Children’s Publishing Group)