Sugarbush Spring

by Marsha Wilson Chall, Jim Daly

As winter melts into spring, Rosie and her grandfather collect sap, and then the whole family works together to make maple syrup.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

24 pages, Library Binding

First published January 28, 2000

Reviews

[Manybooks]

Yes, Marsha Wilson Chall's Sugarbush Spring is generally and for all intents and purposes an engaging account of an extended family's annual sugaring (maple syrup) season. But although the featured text certainly is sweet and evocative, with the author successfully capturing the voice of the young narrator (the little granddaughter), I do find the general storyline itself a little text-heavy and dragging in places, and thus perhaps more suited for slightly older children, as very young children might become distracted and/or lose interest. But that all being said, I do much enjoy and appreciate the loving intergenerational family relationships presented in and with Sugarbush Spring, not only between the grandfather and his granddaughter, but between all members of the extended family (everyone helps with the sugaring process, everyone pitches in, and everyone has fun). And while there is, indeed, quite a lot of narrative in Sugarbush Spring, the text still does flow well and easily enough and does tell an engaging, informative and sweetly delicious account (and which will likely also make you crave and desire maple syrup or maple candy).

Now with regard to the accompanying artwork for Sugarbush Spring, although Jim Daly's illustrations are richly detailed and descriptive (and also mirror both the cadence and general rhythm of author's narrative), I personally do think that they at times also tend to physically interfere somewhat with the physical text itself, making the printed words rather difficult to see, to easily figure out. Personally, I have had to squint a few times to discern Marsha Wilson Chall’s actual text, which is unfortunately printed right and smack on top of the illustrations. And yes, in my opinion, this scenario could possibly make Sugarbush Spring a bit challenging to read aloud to a child or a group of children (especially under less than ideal lighting conditions). And in my opinion, this might also and equally potentially discourage children who are recent or reluctant readers, as it sure could be frustrating to be faced with a narrative, with a text that is hard to see properly, or more to the point that might be somewhat difficult to see properly.

[Rachael Terry]

Gorgeous illustrations.

[Sydney Fransiscus]

In this story, the characters are brought to life through the oil paints which are used to create the scenes from the book. This story is about the time of winter when the trees are ready to be tapped for syrup. The images place the reader in the cold and snowy outdoors as well as feeling warm and cozy when indoors and by the fire.

[Ronda]

This lovely picture book follow a grandfather as he introduces his granddaughter to the art of tapping maple trees for making maple syrup. Full of wonderful description and onomatopoeia, this story shares a child's-eye view of what, to my old, sentimental self realizes is the beginning of what will become a cherished memory. I love that her grandfather is gently teaching stewardship of a resource along with the tradition, in such a way as to explain to the reader how to tell which trees to tap, which to leave alone and why. While I thing I will use The Sugaring-Off Party with my older students, I think this one will resonate better with my younger ones, but maybe I will just share both.

If you are looking to do a lesson on maple syrup, check my review for The Sugaring-Off Party too.

[Alice Ball]

A perfect read for February, celebrating the intergenerational connection of granddaughter and grandfather as they work together to harvest maple sap and turn it into syrup! Warm, friendly illustrations that transport you to the snowy woods!

[Maren Prestegaard]

So nostalgic in the illustrations and writing.

[Kristin Nelson]

Beautiful picture book about making maple syrup

[Mallory]

Excellent book to read in spring, especially in our neck of the woods. My kids and I could not get over the realistic paintings in this book. Worth owning just for the art.

[Margaret Chind]

Another little girl and her grandfather collecting sap to make syrup. This one involves the entire family and is a slightly smaller production.

[Kelly]

The most beautiful paintings and a "sweet" story.

[Diana Parker]

I read aloud "Little House in the Big Woods" every year and they talk about getting maple syrup from the trees, so this book helped explain it more completely. The illustrations are amazing!

[Jan Z]

The artwork is lovely. The story is an accurate account of making maple syrup but I am not sure it is engaging.

[Pinky]

It takes a lot of hard work to make maple syrup. But, it's a tradition for this family.

[Stella]

Beautifully illustrated children’s book about a family tradition of maple syrup harvesting.

[Krista]

Such a beautiful story of a magical experience!

[Lynnette]

The illustrations in this book are gorgeous. I felt like it was a good way to explain the process of collecting Maple without being too boring for kids. My toddler enjoyed it as well.

[Christina Lawrence]

May is learning about Spring. This a nice introduction into Maple sugaring. A sweet story told by the granddaughters point of view. The illustrations have a Norman Rockwell charm to them.

[David]

Sugarbush Spring by Marsha Wilson Chall, illustrated by Jim Daly, is an evocative story of the family traditions involving sugar making. A girl and her Grandpa take the horse drawn cutter out to tap the trees. Neighbors and friends come to cook. The sap is boiled, syrup made and sugar candy made for the children. Enough syrup is made for pancakes, maple cream, candy & some to sell, until it's time to make more next spring.

Showing a process that has remained essentially the same for two centuries, Sugarbush Spring is a wonderful story of tradition, ritual, friendship and family. Intergeneratinal relationships are nicely shown. The illustrations are beautiful and give a real sense of place to the story. I particularly enjoyed the pictures with the horses and Daisy the dog involved in the process. The pictures are cozy and inviting. The text is a bit hard to read when printed over the illustrations a couple times, particularly over part of a blue sky.

For ages 45 to 8, sugar making, family traditions, food themes, and far fans of Marsha Wilson Chall and Jim Daly.

[Anna]

Ages 4-8

Perfect book for those of us living in the rural Northeast. Most students will be able to relate to this book. It is also informative for those who do not know how syrup is made. The pictures are beautiful! They could be framed as art work. This book makes me want to cozy up next to a fire and spend some time with family.

Uses: Steps in a process/ chain of events, family traditions, food making, and seasonal event.

[Jen]

I loved this book and so did my boys! It is the story of a little girl and maple syrup season on their farm. She goes out to tap the trees with her grandpa and then we see them actually making the syrup and sharing in all the stories and fun that go with it. Illustrations are FABULOUS! I felt like I was right there in the pictures with the characters!

[Matthew]

I love maple sugaring and real maple syrup and it turns out that I love reading books about it too. Nice story. Good book.

[Andrea Labonte]

It was a little bit long but in the end I thought it was a good book about sugaring just like they do here in Vermont.

[Tracy Holland]

Interesting information about the process of making maple syrup.

[Janelle Martin]

Informative text and stunning artwork!