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Summary
Summary
From sowing seeds in spring to savoring succotash, follow the creation of a family meal from the farm to the picnic table on a warm summer evening. Told entirely in words beginning with the letter "s," this book will give children an appreciation for the process by which their food travels to the dinner table.
Mike Austin cleverly incorporates Rubin Pfeffer's words into his art and creates a visual feast in which kids will love to indulge! Layers of humor and storytelling make this worth many revisits.
Author Notes
RUBIN PFEFFER is an author, agent, and veteran of the children's book industry.
MIKE AUSTIN is an award-winning illustrator and graphic designer who lives in Seattle with his wife, illustrator Jing Jing Tsong, and their two kids. He spends most of his time creating illustrations for his clients or working on his children's books.
Reviews (4)
Publisher's Weekly Review
This debut picture book by literary agent Pfeffer offers a vibrant celebration of gardening, nature's bounty, family, cooperation-and the letter S. The minimal, staccato text consists solely of words beginning with that letter, a conceit the author nimbly executes without sounding forced or monotonous. Children can identify labeled objects in the spry digital collage art by Austin (Fire Engine No. 9) and sound out a creatively alliterative sequence of verbs, adjectives, and noises as they watch a family plant a garden ("Shovel soil. Sow seeds") and sell their produce at market, where another family purchases it and works together to prepare an alfresco feast ("Sizzle, swirl, swish, sauté!"). Appearing within bands of various colors at the bottom of each spread, the large-font words are as bold and crisp as the pictures, making this a good readaloud choice. Kids (and parents) with a sweet tooth will savor an 11th-hour deviation from the story's healthy-eating theme, as a father sneakily indulges in a late-night snack: a slice of layer cake. A simple, satisfying-and ultimately sweet-offering. Ages 3-7. (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
Vibrant collage-like art follows a family from planting fruits and vegetables to harvesting to bringing them to market, ending in a celebratory summer meal and a midnight snack. The text consists exclusively of words beginning with S ("Shovel soil. Sow seeds"); kids will enjoy finding additional S objects included in the double-page spreads. The entertaining concept book may inspire older kids to write their own single-letter texts. (c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
This charming farm-to-table picture book hits all the right spots for the younger set. Words and pictures share center stage. The book follows the farm cycle step by step, from seed-sowing and nurturing in the spring, through harvest and market in summer, and finally to a meal shared with friends and family. Graced with abundant water and sunlight, "seed" becomes "sprout," then "shoot," then "stalk." When harvest time comes around, the bounty is "snipped" and is bound for the farmers market. At the market, farmers "sell," and shoppers "sample" before choosing what to buy. At home in the kitchen, vegetables are prepped, cooked, and seasoned. Soon, everyone sits down to a lovely picnic dinner of corn, succotash, salad, and more! Using only words starting with the letter "S" for both the clipped primary text and sound effects and labels that grace the illustrations ("Sprinkle spice. / Stir salad"; "Shake Shake"). Pfeffer has ensured his story is a playful read as well as the perfect introduction to where our food comes from. Furthermore, the spare prose pairs well with Austin's bold, graphic illustrations. Austin doesn't just skillfully incorporate Pfeffer's text directly into his art; each scene is rendered in delightful detail and features numerous layers of storytelling waiting to be revealed. Vivid colors, a multiracial cast, and seamless alliteration make this book a wonderful readnot once, not twice, but again and again. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
*Starred Review* On a small farm, a family plants seeds, watches the sprouts grow, and harvests their fruits and vegetables. The scene shifts to the farmer's market and then to the home of a family that buys the produce. After preparing the food, they enjoy a picnic feast with their friends, clean up, play music, dance, and turn in for the night (except for those needing a late-night snack). That sounds pleasant enough, but Pfeffer's cleverly worded text and Austin's vibrant artwork combine to make this book special. For librarians fielding preschool teachers' requests for picture books showcasing a single letter of the alphabet, here's one to remember, because every word starts with an S. Printed in big, bold letters that show up well, the main text unfolds in single words and concise phrases, beginning with Shovel soil. / Sow seeds. / Sprinkle, / sprinkle and ending with Sleepy / Snooze. / Shhh . . . / SNACK! Meanwhile, within the illustrations, more S words appear, representing thoughts, comments, and sounds. Austin's digital-collage artwork features clean lines and a profusion of rich colors, patterns, and textures that work together beautifully. With jaunty pictures that look striking from a distance, this farm-to-table picture book is a lively classroom read-aloud choice.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2018 Booklist
