The Little Green Pea

by Alison Barber, Paige Keiser (Illustrator)

It's not easy being a pea. Especially when you're growing in row 53. And even worse when you dream of becoming a tree. Yes, everyone laughs at this little green pea. But one day a farmer shucks the little green pea, along with everyone else in row 53. And the pea is on his way to realizing his dream...in a roundabout way...that involves a wiggling worm and a big mud pile. This cleverly told "eco" fable illustrates that good things do come to those who wait, and hope, and dream.Alison Barber spent her childhood seeking creative ways to avoid eating vegetables, especially peas. She later used that creativity and studied theater performance at Humber College in Toronto. Alison now lives in Toronto, working as a professional actor and writer. Paige Keiser's first drawing surface was the bedroom wall at age two, but with encouragement from her parents she graduated to regular paper. Career choices included wanting to be a Disney animator or working in fine arts, but after discovering the art of N.C. Wyeth, she found her calling as an illustrator. Paige lives in Burke, Virginia.

Genres: Picture Books, Food

28 pages, Hardcover

First published April 4, 2009

Reviews

[Benny · Rating 2 out of 5]

Benny: 3 stars
Mom: 2 stars

The little green pea dreams of becoming a tree, so he drinks up the sun and soaks up the rain until the farmer comes along to shuck his row. Will he ever achieve his dream?

This one started out promising, but ended up being a disappointment. The writing is not good, it sorta rhymes, but not consistently and not well. Breaking the fourth wall half way through the story is a jolt and completely changed the tone, and let's not forget the unfortunate fact that the entire premise is factually incorrect: peas do not turn into trees.

[Michelle Matash · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was introducing colors to young children. I did not think it did a good job of categorizing the colors. I think if I wanted to find a book to introduce colors, I would keep looking and not recommend this book.

[Syntha Green · Rating 2 out of 5]

strange

[Emily Carlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love the narrator of this story! Sneaky and clever. An easy telling of the cycle of of things grow? A good choice.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice illustrations. Was going along with the story of the plucky little pea but... (SPOILER ALERT like you care since it's a picture book, really peeps), could not make the transition from pea to worm and the abrupt switch plus the fact that the WORM ATE THE PEA and we are just supposed to go with this flow, sorry. Clearly you did not have my children who would be in some sort of tearful frenzy at this point, not even the boys would be salvaged by the delightful prospect of poop discussed at the last pages. Sorry, this didn't work for me.

[Davenport Public Library Iowa]

In a cadence reminiscent of Dr. Suess, Barber weaves the extrodinary tale of an ordinary pea who finds new life curtesy of a common worm. A lovely story of one pea’s quest for greatness and the how unexpected turns in life can have even more surprising results. Keiser’s illustrations capture the mood and spirit of the tale while adding a whimsy that inspires an ear to ear grin. A fine read for you and for your 4-6 year old.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a great book to start of by asking what predictions can be made. Then, ask if you think a pea can grow into anything. Then read the book. From there students could research what a pea could grow into.

[Alice · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is horrible! Is that too strong of a word. Upsetting...sick, twisted...just move on and don't read it...save your time! Stop reading this reviews...because it is better than the book--and that is sad!

[LibraryLaur · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weird. Gratuitous use of the word "poo." Abrupt ending. Not sure this would be kid-approved.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had such high hopes after reading the first few pages of this book and then something went terribly wrong. I can see how a teacher might be able to work this into a science lesson, though.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really cute childrens book. It made me laugh!!

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not terribly original or entertaining.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

A small pea wants to grow into a tree but what happens when he gets picked? A twist I didn't see coming involving a wor. Preschool and up for complexity.