Who Put the Pepper in the Pot?

by Joanna Cole

An easy-to-read, illustrated work features a delightful story and a Note to Grown-ups that includes a guide to significant themes and concepts at work in the story, ideas for reading and discussion, and games for learning.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

48 pages, Library Binding

First published August 29, 1991

About the author

Joanna Cole, who also wrote under the pseudonym B. J. Barnet, was an author of children’s books who teaches science.

She is most famous as the author of The Magic School Bus series of children's books. Joanna Cole wrote over 250 books ranging from her first book Cockroach to her famous series Magic School Bus.

Cole was born in Newark, New Jersey, and grew up in nearby East Orange. She loved science as a child, and had a teacher she says was a little like Ms. Frizzle. She attended the University of Massachusetts and Indiana University before graduating from the City College of New York with a B.A. in psychology. After some graduate education courses, she spent a year as a librarian in a Brooklyn elementary school. Cole subsequently became a letters correspondent at Newsweek, and then a senior editor for Doubleday Books for Young Readers.

Reviews

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who Put the Pepper in the Pot? by Joanna Cole- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the story of a middle class family Mamma Sue and Pappa Joe who received a letter that their rich Aunt Tottie was arriving at their residence to meet them. Their residence was in a small farm. All family members clean the house and garden. They planned to cook a pot of stew for her. Papa purchased meat from the market. The three children Sam, Toby and Gen helped chopping potatoes, carrots and onions. Joe cut wood. Sam polished the windows. Sue washed the laundry. Children cut the grass in the garden to size. Everyone was busy with work. Mama instructed that the stew is boiling and please put some some pepper in the pot. All 5 were busy so they put the work on one another but in order to share responsibility all five of them put pepper in the pot. When Aunt Tottie arrived she was happy with the clean house and all were dressed in new clothes. Stew was served and all requested Tottie to taste the stew. Tottie tasted. The stew had more pepper than required and tears came out of her eyes. She asked who has added the pepper to the stew. All five of them uttered that they had added the pepper to the stew. Aunt Tottie laughed. She changed the mood of the family. Now, they prepared omelet for all of them. Coloured illustrations help the reader in relating to the story. I have read the Hindi language translation of this book.

[Skyler Tieri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful story of a culinary mystery. the tale revolves around a group of animals who are all preparing a communal meal. as they each add their own ingredients in the pot, something unexpected happens: the dish becomes to spicy! the animals embark on a playful investigation to discover who added the pepper. through the humorous and collaborative efforts, they leartn about teamwork, problem solving, and the fun of cooking together. the book is filled with engaging illustrations and a rhythmic, repetitive tect that makes a joy to read outloud.

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lesser-known gem by the author of the "Magic School Bus" series was a childhood favorite of mine. It has the feel of O. Henry's seminal story, but is still very accessible and fun for adolescents.

[Ngoc Dang · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book to read. I read it by myself and I was sitting there laughing. The poor family had a rich aunt that came to visit. This just make me think of how I would clean up the house to make it look better when I'm about to have guess. We try our best to make sure that everything is perfect. Overall, it's not about how things look, but about family. Family shouldn't have to worry about those things.

[Katie Morris · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about a family who lives on a farm. Papa Joe receives a letter from Aunt Tootie, who is very fancy, that explains that she is coming for a visit. To make Aunt Tootie feel welcomed, Mama Sue fixes a very "peppery" and hearty stew.
I would use this book in my classroom to study vowel sounds and to discuss why communication is very important.

[Hattie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember our teacher reading this book to my class in about 1st grade. Its simple, but I loved it ,and over 12 years later I have not forgotten this book! I hope to read it to my children on day. :)

[Jessica Chambliss · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book discusses a family living on a farm with an aunt coming to visit! The aunt happens to be very fancy and they are worried they won't be able to impress her. This is a good book to read in class when their is extra time left at the end of the day or between subjects!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a funny book. Students will enjoy the repetition and the ending. Feeding a fancy family member may not always be easy, which is why this book can relate to adults as well. A quick read that is enjoyable for all ages.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mama Sue prepared a pot of stew but forgot the pepper. She asks each family member to add some but they all claim they are too busy. In the end they all add plenty of pepper to the pot and you can imagine the result. A cute story.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another childhood favourite - and again, its follows the theme of food. A great read aloud book with lots of opportunity for doing voices for characters, and really taking it over the top.

[Analysia Salcido]

Give this book to your young readers who may not be ready for chapter book but are needing a little more of a challenge. This books easy language is defiantly a fun read for any child or adult.

[Angelica Rios]

This book would be a book for any children that like funny stories. This book is entertaining and could be relatable. I would use this book to teach a first grade class during story time. We would read the book out loud and talk about what pepper is and what it can do if too much is added to food. Then I would have the students talk about stories they remember if any, about cooking with their parents. I would have students draw their favorite food and pick an ingredient in it that makes it taste so good.