Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In a story about taking part and feeling needed, from the team behind the Murilla Gorilla books, a girl named Kate eagerly tags along when her older sister and father head out to make maple syrup on their farm. Despite the rural setting, the atmosphere is far from rustic: dominated by minty shades of pink and blue, the landscape of the farm is crisp and modern, while Kate and her family are drawn in a naïf cartoon style with dot eyes and bean-shaped noses. The girls' father (who is gently exasperated by Kate's insistence on helping) explains the process of making syrup, but Kate spills a pail, drops her mitten in the bubbling sap, and gets lost when she wanders away from the sugar shack. After her relieved father finds her, he lets Kate take part in an activity that allows her abilities to shine-making maple taffy by pouring syrup onto a tabletop covered with snow and winding it around using a popsicle stick. A sweet-natured story that gives readers insight into family dynamics and a unique seasonal business. Ages 4-8. (Apr.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-Though snow is still piled on the ground, budding trees and long tufts of grass poking through the drifts let readers know that spring has sprung at Sugar Hill Farm. Dad and big sister, Audrey, bundle up on their way to make maple syrup at the sugar shack. Little sister, Katie, eagerly rushes down the stairs, dresses and runs out the door with popsicle sticks Dad forgot to bring. Dad and his daughters collect their pails of tree sap and process the sap into syrup, despite Katie's repeated mishaps and blunders. Poor Katie just can't seem to do anything right, even getting lost in the woods at one point. At last, she is able to successfully help her family by making maple taffy lollipops, which she gladly shares. Watercolors are the ideal medium for this snowy woodland scenes and rosy-cheeked family. VERDICT A relatable family story and an brief introduction to how maple syrup is made.-Laura Hunter, Mount Laurel Library, NJ © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.