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Blueberries for Sal (Picture Puffins) (Paperback) (Paperback)
by Robert McCloskey
Category:
Family, Award-winning books, Ages 0-3, Children's book |
Market price: ¥ 108.00
MSL price:
¥ 98.00
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Stock:
Pre-order item, lead time 3-7 weeks upon payment [ COD term does not apply to pre-order items ] |
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MSL rating:
Good for Gifts
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MSL Pointer Review:
Beautiful Symmetry of Nature, Family, and Nurture! |
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 Detail |
 Author |
 Description |
 Excerpt |
 Reviews |
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Author: Robert McCloskey
Publisher: Puffin
Pub. in: September, 1976
ISBN: 014050169X
Pages: 64
Measurements: 7.0 x 9.1 x 0.1 inches
Origin of product: USA
Order code: BC00121
Other information:
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Rate this product:
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- Awards & Credential -
The winner of the Caldecott award |
- MSL Picks -
The story is gently and beautifully told, and wonderfully complemented by the illustrations (also drawn by Mr. McClosky).
It is a good introduction for children to the way that all human and animal families' work, the need to prepare for the future, and that one has to pay attention to where one is going. It will also interest them in blueberry picking, which is a wonderful family occupation. It is also very heart-warming the way Mr. McClosky has taken the potential fright out of a situation where a child has wandered off and run into a mother bear. The child can draw her or his own lesson that they would not want that to happen to them, rather than having the story provides terror.
Think of this story the next time you eat some blueberry preserves.
Target readers:
Kids aged 0-3
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Robert McCloskey's books were written in the 1940's and 50's. At that time a lot of color in illustrations made a book very expensive. His books are drawn with strong lines and shading of the same color. Sometimes black, sometimes blue. His entire book Blueberries For Sal looks like it was illustrated with blueberry juice.
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Little Sal and her mother go to Blueberry hill to pick berries, and they plan to can them as preserves for the winter. Little Sal soon starts eating all the berries she picks, plus some from her mother's pail. Encouraged to go off to find berries to pick by herself, mother and Sal become separated. On the other side of the mountain, Little Bear and his mother are coming to eat all the blueberries they can to get as fat as possible so they can survive the winter. They, too, get separated.
Soon, Little Sal stumbles onto following mother bear and Little Bear is following Sal's mother. Eventually, the mothers discover the mistake, back away in shyness from the other's child, and look for their own offspring. Along the way, the children run into bird mothers and their families as well. Everyone goes home with the correct mother, and the last drawing has Little Sal with her mother in an old-fashioned kitchen with a wood stove working on the preserves.
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View all 5 comments |
A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-04 00:00>
OK, I have to admit that my review is probably completely unnecessary in view of the fact that there are already 55 positive ones but... I have vowed to make notes on all of the library books we check out each week so that, should I have a book faintly perched on the edge of my mind, I will be able to scan back through my reviews until I find the one I am remembering. That said, this book has been the naptime request of my 4 year old for several days and she "read" it to a pillow on the sofa just yesterday. She especially loves the phrase "Where, oh where, is my child?" She got that one dead-on. This is an excellent book for retelling and could be acted out very successfully in a short dramatic play in kindergarten. The plot is simple and fun and leads to great discussions about how humans prepare for winter (gathering the harvest, preserving foods by canning them) vs. animals who hibernate (that would be the bear). This book is, of course, need I say it? A winner. You won't be disappointed if you purchase this one. And little Sal (Sally? It's a girl) is as cute as a button. With such wonderful 1940's illustrations, and a warm message, this book is a cozy reminder of days gone by. |
M. Allen Greenbaum (MLS quote), California
<2007-01-04 00:00>
Famed author Robert McCloskey (Make Way for Ducklings, One Morning in Maine, and others) wrote and illustrated this gently humorous parallel tale of two moms and their daughters on a blueberry hunt. One pair is human, and the other pair is bear! As they proceed up opposite sides of rolling hill covered in blueberries, each member of the species copies the other: The moms focus on the task at hand, remembering the harsh winter ahead; the children ("Little Sal" and "Little Bear") focus on the immediate pleasures of eating blueberries-so much so, that each gets lost.
In a deftly portrayed switch, McCloskey shows the Little Bear following Little Sal's mom, and Little Sal following the Little Bear's mom. The two lost children are unafraid of following the mismatched grown-ups (ok, so McCloskey takes some liberties in this very light book). Eventually the two moms turn around and see who is following: Little Bear's mother discovers Sal and turns away: ("She was old enough to be shy of people, even a very small person like Little Sal.") Meanwhile, Little Sal's mom discovers Little Bear, and the mother back away: ("She was old enough to be shy of bears, even very small bears like Little Bear.") Each pair reunites and returns home, with an adventure and berries to savor over the winter.
McCloskey's deep blue-black drawings complement the appealing symmetry and innocence of the book, and the period furnishings, uncluttered landscape, and fashions add to the book's sentimental and enduring attraction. This is a very good bedtime story for little ones who can appreciate an affectionate and tender book.
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B. T. Davis (MSL quote), Temecula, CA
<2007-01-04 00:00>
Yesterday a woman turned around from blueberry picking on Blueberry Hill expecting to find her little toddler, Sal, but discovered instead a bear cub munching a mouthful of berries from her bucket. Sal was nowhere in sight, as apparently the mother had picked berries for some time thinking that the little bear following her was Sal. More alarmingly, when the mother found Sal she reported having followed a large bear around for some time, probably the cub's mother who had also mistaken Sal for her own cub. Fortunately no one was hurt but everyone should keep close track of their children if picking berries for the winter on Blueberry Hill.
Author/illustrator Robert McCloskey has created a delightful set of images to bring his timeless tale of mistaken identity to life. Christopher had a hard time deciding which was funnier, Blueberries for Sal or Curious George Takes a Job. Sal is definitely more charmingly life-like, bringing back the by-gone era of canning fruits for the winter. This book serves a multi-layered role of teaching the importance of listening and the ways of earlier American families in a wonderful outdoor setting. A great book!
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A reader (MSL quote), WV United States
<2007-01-04 00:00>
McCloskey wrote this about his wife Margaret (daughter of author Ruth Sawyer Durnad) and daughter Sally encountering a mother bear and cub while picking blueberries on Deer Isle. The story has some funny turns when both mother and child get separated and wind up finding the wrong family member. Imagine that! Well, all's well that ends well. And, guess you wondered what happened in the end don't you? You'll have to see for yourself. McCloskey sadly passed away on June 30, 2003 most of his life he illustrated and wrote children's books. He wrote eight books during his life. The entire book reflects on family experiences, small-town life, and life in Boston. His story, 'Make Way for Ducklings' is set in Boston. McCloskey is one of the few authors that depicted Americana in a light-hearted vision through his illustration. He will be sadly missed. 'Blueberries for Sal' won the Caldecott award for children's book illustration. It's a darn good story to boot, too! |
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