Purple Pickle Juice

Critters of the Night

by Erica Farber, John R. Sansevere, Mercer Mayer (Illustrator)

Each morning, Thistle Howl drinks a glass of purple pickle juice and chants: "Hands above, feet below.  Grow, I say.  GROW!  GROW!  GROW!"  Yet she doesn't get any bigger.  Then Auntie Bell offers a few incantations of her own--and Thistle gets a humongous surprise!  

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

48 pages, Paperback

First published March 26, 1996

About the author

Erica Farber was a children’s book editor.

Reviews

[Stephanie Tiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute little book about being patient.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Mercer Mayer’s art style so much, something very comforting in it. Art aside, I really liked the story. A story and wonderland-esque theme of acceptance of who you are and patience. I think students who are frustrated with their height could benefit from this story, a warning on being careful with what you wish for and also being very clear when you speak with your elders. Though majority of the text is beginner reader, there are some words that students will struggle with due to unfamiliar pronunciation; such as ‘Axel’, ‘Thistle’, and ‘Howl’.

Over all I’d recommend this story for any students who are self conscious and impatient about their height, or believe doing something over and over for a means to an end will get their goal accomplished.

[Armida D'Angelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books when I was a kid. It means something different now that I'm older, having reread it over and over again for inspiration, whenever I'm stuck. Looking back at it, when I was little, this book helped me put things in perspective. I always wanted to be in a place before it was my time to be in that place, both time-wise and psychologically. As children, we always wish to grow up faster than we are, and when we become adults, we wish we were kids again. This book is about becoming at rest with who you are at the now. I'm happy I had a book like this when I was a kid!

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used to love this book as a child, so it was a lot of fun to revisit. The illustrations are super cute and apparently this is a series, so I'll be checking that out soon.

For: Halloween fans; readers looking for a book about accepting who you are.

Possible red flags: witchcraft and spells.

[Rodopa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful as a reader for a 1st grader, fun story, great illustrations, keeps the kid wanting to read. The whole series Critters of the Night is fun!

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually read this book as a child. I was maybe five when my grandma brought this book home and I loved it to death. It still sits hidden on my bookshelf, one of my coveted childhood books. Now that my baby sister is learning to read (yes, there is a very big age difference, lol) I had a reason to take it off my shelf and share it with the world. We also found more books in the series at our local library and I am so pleased with them! But this book in particular will always hold a special place in my heart. It was a good learning to read book, as well as an adorable story of Thistle Howl that will surely stay with you forever. Purple Pickle Juice is a ten out of ten in my book any day! If you have a little monster in your life that is learning to read, I can guarantee they will love these stories!

[(NS)Jennifer Reiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about a girl named Thistle Howl who only wants to grow. She is the smallest member of her family. Every morning she drinks a glass of purple pickle juice and says a chant to wish for growth. Suddenly, Thistle's Auntie Bell appears who does a series of spells to help her grow. At first Auntie Bell's hearing gets in the way and a spell is granted to have snow and row. Finally, Auntie Bell gets it right and brings Thistle back to her house to drink a potion to help her grow. Thistle become enormous and asks to be made small. Then Auntie Bell places another spell on her and makes her as small as a bug. Thistle then realizes she just likes the size she was all along. She continues to drink purple pickle juice just because she likes it.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book that started it all for me. My grandmother bought this book in hopes that it would get me to read, and read I did.

This is a great book for any kids who don't want to read, 'normal stuff' like I did. I learned to read on some of the scarier Mercer Mayer books when I was three or so, and from there I read Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and Goosebumps novels.

I will be teaching my children how to read with this book.

[Neeza · Rating 5 out of 5]

i really love this book i read it every night when i go to bed. i love this book, the author that writes this book did a good job i hope theirs more to come.

[Joy Gerbode · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story teaching to be content with what you have. Mercer Mayer artwork.

[Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book!

[Arianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

teaches kids to like who they are