The Books

From academic guides to candy-themed coloring books — I've written and edited across the range. Here's everything I've put into print.

Careers in Food Science From Undergraduate to Professional

Academic / Career Guide

Careers in Food Science: From Undergraduate to Professional

If you’re studying food science — or seriously thinking about it — this is the book that maps out where it can actually take you.

I co-edited this book with my PhD advisor, Richard Hartel, and colleague Christina Klawitter. It covers every step of a food science career: which classes to take, how to land an internship, what to expect from your first job, how to navigate corporate versus startup environments, and where the field is heading. The second edition added nine new chapters on topics like food systems, sustainability, food waste, and entrepreneurship.

Thirty-three chapters. Perspectives from dozens of contributors who are actually working in the industry. Written for students — by people who remember what it was like to be one..

Book Characteristics

Publisher Springer
Edition 2nd Edition
Published December 2022
Pages 411 (plus XII front matter)
Format Softcover + eBook (EPUB & PDF)
Target Audience Food science students, early-career professionals
ISBN (Softcover) 978-3-031-14352-6
ISBN (eBook) 978-3-031-14353-3
Candy Science Coloring Book

Kids & Education

Candy Science Coloring Book

Turns out candy is basically a chemistry lab with better marketing.
This is my attempt to show kids the real science hiding inside their favorite sweets — through coloring pages, fun facts, and experiments they can try at home. Each page pairs a coloring illustration with a real food science concept: the sugar crystals that form rock candy, the carbon dioxide bubbles that make Pop Rocks pop, the emulsification that keeps chocolate smooth.

It’s designed for curious kids who like to know why — the kind of kid who takes something apart to see how it works. And maybe for the adults coloring alongside them.

Book Characteristics

Publisher Amazon KDP (self-published)
Author Abigail Thiel, PhD
Format Paperback
Target Age 8–12 years
Best for Kids, classrooms, homeschool, STEM activities
Published June 30, 2025
ISBN (Softcover) 978-8-288-48257-1
Pages 63
Dimensions 8.5" × 11"
Would You Rather Food Edition

Family / All Ages

Would You Rather: Food Edition

Would you rather eat a pizza-flavored candy bar or a candy bar-flavored pizza? Genuinely important questions.
This one is pure fun — no PhD required. Would You Rather: Food Edition is a collection of food-themed dilemmas designed to get people talking, laughing, and deeply reconsidering their life choices. It’s perfect for road trips, family dinners, classroom warm-ups, sleepovers, or any situation where you need to settle a debate fast.
Made for all ages, but especially good for families who like to argue about food at the table. Which, in my experience, is most of them.

Book Characteristics

Publisher Amazon KDP (self-published)
Author Abigail Thiel, PhD
Format Paperback
Target Age 6–12 years
Best for Road trips, family dinners, parties, classrooms
Questions 150+ food-themed scenarios
ISBN 979-8-305-30067-3
Pages 76
Dimensions 5.5" × 8.5"