Maple Syrup Season

I am a bit underwhelmed with and by Maple Syrup Season. Although Ann Purmell's text is generally fun and informative (and I really do like the detailed information about maple syrup she has included at the back of the book), I find Jill Weber's illustrations much too busy and cartoon-like for my taste. They also do not seem to mesh all that well with the text itself, which seems to have a much calmer cadence and rhythm than the somewhat frenetic and very detail-heavy illustrations.

I think that this book would/could work very well in a classroom setting (perhaps if doing a unit on maple syrup production). And although I personally am not too fond of the illustrations, that is likely somewhat of a personal quibble, as I don't generally show more enjoy cartoon-like illustrations all that much anyhow. I could certainly imagine young children having fun discovering all of the details depicted in the book (there are many animals, some in rather strange and funny locations, like hiding under a large metal plank). But for me personally, the combination of text and image are just average in this book. They do not produce magic, that is to say there is not that sense of the narrative perfectly fitting the illustrations and the illustrations perfectly fitting the narrative. show less

I really enjoyed the illustrations in this book. This was fun to read as we attended a syrup harvest this past winter. Gave a good inside look to a family who harvest sap and makes syrup...good details of all the steps. We will probably check this one out again this March as we look forward to tasting more maple goodness.

Hannah and Hayden set out with their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins to follow the process of making maple syrup from the tapping of the maple trees to the pouring of the syrup into the snow to enjoy as a cold, tasty treat. This informative picture book tells the story of maple syrup from the tree to our tummies. Children will learn the activities and vocabulary associated with this process. A list of defined terms is included at the end of the book as well. Gouache, Caran D’Ache, and gesso were used to create the images and Saran Wrap was applied to achieve a different texture. The images take up the entire page. The colors are mainly cool shades of brown, blue, and black. The clothing worn by the characters is more show more colorful, however, with bright reds, greens, and blues. The text is placed throughout the image where it does not distract from the action happening in the picture. Occasionally words in a different font and different color appear above the characters that indicate dialogue. There are several details in the pictures that children will enjoy. For example, many of the outdoor scenes depict a family of three bears hibernating under the snow. This book is recommended for young elementary school students especially those who live in areas where maple syrup is abundant. show less

Stylized illustrations of a family and cute woodland creatures accompany a story about a mix of traditional and modern maple sugaring methods.

This charming story describes the process of making maple syrup as readers follow a New England family harvesting sap from their maple trees. And when Grandma pours hot syrup on fresh snow, the delicious taffy is a treat for everyone. Maple Syrup Lore and Maple Syrup Glossary.

Genre: Informational
Critique: While it seems like a regular realistic fiction story, once you look at it again it is definitely informational. They go through the entire process of making syrup right down to the eating of it! Very unique book!
Setting: The story is set in a rural community that makes maple syrup every year. This is a whole community event, and takes place starting in the winter.
Media: Watercolor
Uses: Process of making syrup, have students learn how to make syrup on a field trip