By Phoebe Vreeland, The Children’s Book Review
Published: November 4, 2010
Thanksgiving is a time for pie. Pie makes me think of Harold and his purple crayon. Remember that picnic on the sandy beach? “There was nothing but pie. But there were all nine kinds of pie that Harold liked best.” My daughter and I love to imagine what all the different fillings could be. Who doesn’t love freshly baked pie, the most amazingly delectable dessert that fills the home with its tantalizing aroma? It’s such a perfect vehicle for a scoop or dollop of some cool creamy topping. Kids love to help bake, especially mixing, licking their sweet, sticky fingers and rolling out pie dough.
Here follows a list of picture books—all about pie—to share with your little ones. Some simply get your mouth watering, but most are laced with a secret ingredient. There is a reminder about abundance, a lesson on humility, and a tale of perseverance. You will also find a trip around the world, a juicy alphabet primer and a cautionary tale for the literal-minded—from Amelia Bedelia, of course. A few even include a recipe so good that you won’t need to invite a very hungry moose and deserving porcupine to help you finish.
All for Pie, Pie for All
by David Martin (Author), Valeri Gorbachev (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 0-5
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Candlewick; Reprint edition (August 12, 2008)
Source: Library
Publisher’s synopsis: In this merry, multi-species story cooked up with folksy warmth and humor, everybody gets a piece of the pie — and then some.
Grandma Cat makes a delicious apple pie, and there’s plenty for everyone — and even a piece left over. Grandma Mouse finds a piece of apple pie, and there’s plenty for everyone — and even crumbs left over. Grandma Ant spies some crumbs of apple pie, and there’s plenty for everyone. But what’s left over after cats, mice, and ants have had their fill? Little readers will eat up this scrumptious, gently math-related story that’s as sweet and satisfying as a fresh-baked dessert.
Add this book to your collection: All for Pie, Pie for All
The Apple Pie Tree
By Tina Vasquez, for The Children’s Book Review
Published: September 30, 2010
Around Our Way on Neighbors’ Day
by Tameka Fryer Brown (Author), Charlotte Riley-Webb (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers (August 1, 2010)
In Around Our Way on Neighbor’s Day a young narrator guides us through her wonderfully diverse neighborhood that is swirling with activity in preparation for Neighbor’s Day, a community gathering as much about friends as it is about food.
On her way home from a long day of playing double dutch with her friends, our young guide leads the way from barber shop to chess game, basketball game to her mother’s kitchen and she encounters friends and neighborhood characters all along the way.
This is a fun, rhythmic read that showcases a multi-ethnic community joining together to share some laughs and more than a few servings of rice and beans, collard greens, mac and cheese, and grilled lime chicken- all contributed by various families in the area. Throw some dancing into the mix and you’ve got one heck of a party.
Add this book to your collection: Around Our Way on Neighbors’ Day
Rent Party Jazz
Author: William Miller
Illustrator: Charlotte Riley-Webb
Publisher: Lee & Low Books, June 2008
Reading Level: Ages 4-8
How could this bright, colorful book not grab your attention? The illustrations are amazing and fun, and truly capture the allure of New Orleans Jazz. But what it also offers is a look into Rent Parties. Rent Parties started out as fund-raising events, but they also played a major role in the development of jazz and blues music.
Even though the illustrations are what drew me to this book, the story is a powerful one with people coming together to help others in a time of need. In New Orleans in the 1930s, young Sonny Comeaux has to work before school to help his mother make ends meet. When Mama loses her job, Sonny is worried. Rent day is coming soon, and if they miss paying by just one day, the landlord will put them out on the street and sell off their belongings.
Sonny wanders sadly through Jackson Square after school one day. His attention is caught by Smilin' Jack, a popular jazz musician. Sonny returns day after day, and soon finds himself explaining his problem to Smilin’ Jack. What Smilin' Jack offers Sonny then—how to raise money for the rent while having the world’s best party—changes both their lives forever.
The afterword of the book explains how rent parties originated and that they were common in African American neighborhoods during the 1920s and 1930s. I thought it was interesting how Miller explains that national events like Farm Aid are contemporary versions of the rent party on a much larger scale. This is a fun and educational read that would be a wonderful way to celebrate Black History month!
Check out the Classroom Guide for Rent Party Jazz and read BookTalk with William Miller at Lee & Low Books' website.
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