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Sugarbush Spring
In the month of the Maple Sugar Moon, the snow's too wet for angel making, icicles rain from Grandpa's porch roof, and something is stirring in the woods. It's sugarbush spring--time to tap the trees, prepare the bottles, then gather round the cook fire to eat chicken and dumplings, roast marshmallows, and tell stories while the cold sap heats through, thickens, and boils to make syrup.
Chall's timeless story and Daly's glowing paintings invite children to share in the pleasure of making maple syrup--a process that's the same today as it was two hundred years ago.In the month of the Maple Sugar Moon, icicles rain from Grandpa's porch roof and something is stirring in the woods. It's sugarbush spring-time to tap the trees, then gather round the cook fire to roast marshmallows and tell stories while the cold sap thickens and boils to make maple syrup.In the month of the Maple Sugar Moon, icicles rain from Grandpa's porch roof and something is stirring in the woods. It's sugarbush spring-time to tap the trees, then gather round the cook fire to roast marshmallows and tell stories while the cold sap thickens and boils to make maple syrup.
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
24 pages, Hardcover
First published January 28, 2000
1 person is currently reading
56 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 15, 2022
Yes, Marsha Wilson Chall's Sugarbush Spring is generally and for all intents and purposes an engaging account of an extended family's annual sugaring (maple syrup) season. But although the featured text certainly is sweet and evocative, with the author successfully capturing the voice of the young narrator (the little granddaughter), I do find the general storyline itself a little text-heavy and dragging in places, and thus perhaps more suited for slightly older children, as very young children might become distracted and/or lose interest. But that all being said, I do much enjoy and appreciate the loving intergenerational family relationships presented in and with Sugarbush Spring, not only between the grandfather and his granddaughter, but between all members of the extended family (everyone helps with the sugaring process, everyone pitches in, and everyone has fun). And while there is, indeed, quite a lot of narrative in Sugarbush Spring, the text still does flow well and easily enough and does tell an engaging, informative and sweetly delicious account (and which will likely also make you crave and desire maple syrup or maple candy).
Now with regard to the accompanying artwork for Sugarbush Spring, although Jim Daly's illustrations are richly detailed and descriptive (and also mirror both the cadence and general rhythm of author's narrative), I personally do think that they at times also tend to physically interfere somewhat with the physical text itself, making the printed words rather difficult to see, to easily figure out. Personally, I have had to squint a few times to discern Marsha Wilson Chall’s actual text, which is unfortunately printed right and smack on top of the illustrations. And yes, in my opinion, this scenario could possibly make Sugarbush Spring a bit challenging to read aloud to a child or a group of children (especially under less than ideal lighting conditions). And in my opinion, this might also and equally potentially discourage children who are recent or reluctant readers, as it sure could be frustrating to be faced with a narrative, with a text that is hard to see properly, or more to the point that might be somewhat difficult to see properly.
Now with regard to the accompanying artwork for Sugarbush Spring, although Jim Daly's illustrations are richly detailed and descriptive (and also mirror both the cadence and general rhythm of author's narrative), I personally do think that they at times also tend to physically interfere somewhat with the physical text itself, making the printed words rather difficult to see, to easily figure out. Personally, I have had to squint a few times to discern Marsha Wilson Chall’s actual text, which is unfortunately printed right and smack on top of the illustrations. And yes, in my opinion, this scenario could possibly make Sugarbush Spring a bit challenging to read aloud to a child or a group of children (especially under less than ideal lighting conditions). And in my opinion, this might also and equally potentially discourage children who are recent or reluctant readers, as it sure could be frustrating to be faced with a narrative, with a text that is hard to see properly, or more to the point that might be somewhat difficult to see properly.
November 29, 2019
Gorgeous illustrations.
February 17, 2017
In this story, the characters are brought to life through the oil paints which are used to create the scenes from the book. This story is about the time of winter when the trees are ready to be tapped for syrup. The images place the reader in the cold and snowy outdoors as well as feeling warm and cozy when indoors and by the fire.
March 2, 2021
This lovely picture book follow a grandfather as he introduces his granddaughter to the art of tapping maple trees for making maple syrup. Full of wonderful description and onomatopoeia, this story shares a child's-eye view of what, to my old, sentimental self realizes is the beginning of what will become a cherished memory. I love that her grandfather is gently teaching stewardship of a resource along with the tradition, in such a way as to explain to the reader how to tell which trees to tap, which to leave alone and why. While I thing I will use The Sugaring-Off Party with my older students, I think this one will resonate better with my younger ones, but maybe I will just share both.
If you are looking to do a lesson on maple syrup, check my review for The Sugaring-Off Party too.
If you are looking to do a lesson on maple syrup, check my review for The Sugaring-Off Party too.
January 31, 2023
A perfect read for February, celebrating the intergenerational connection of granddaughter and grandfather as they work together to harvest maple sap and turn it into syrup! Warm, friendly illustrations that transport you to the snowy woods!
May 18, 2018
So nostalgic in the illustrations and writing.
April 27, 2019
Beautiful picture book about making maple syrup
April 8, 2020
Excellent book to read in spring, especially in our neck of the woods. My kids and I could not get over the realistic paintings in this book. Worth owning just for the art.
August 8, 2022
Another little girl and her grandfather collecting sap to make syrup. This one involves the entire family and is a slightly smaller production.
November 9, 2023
The most beautiful paintings and a "sweet" story.
January 11, 2024
Informative text and stunning artwork!
April 17, 2024
I read aloud "Little House in the Big Woods" every year and they talk about getting maple syrup from the trees, so this book helped explain it more completely. The illustrations are amazing!
May 9, 2024
The artwork is lovely. The story is an accurate account of making maple syrup but I am not sure it is engaging.
July 31, 2024
It takes a lot of hard work to make maple syrup. But, it's a tradition for this family.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2022
May is learning about Spring. This a nice introduction into Maple sugaring. A sweet story told by the granddaughters point of view. The illustrations have a Norman Rockwell charm to them.
April 15, 2011
Sugarbush Spring by Marsha Wilson Chall, illustrated by Jim Daly, is an evocative story of the family traditions involving sugar making. A girl and her Grandpa take the horse drawn cutter out to tap the trees. Neighbors and friends come to cook. The sap is boiled, syrup made and sugar candy made for the children. Enough syrup is made for pancakes, maple cream, candy & some to sell, until it's time to make more next spring.
Showing a process that has remained essentially the same for two centuries, Sugarbush Spring is a wonderful story of tradition, ritual, friendship and family. Intergeneratinal relationships are nicely shown. The illustrations are beautiful and give a real sense of place to the story. I particularly enjoyed the pictures with the horses and Daisy the dog involved in the process. The pictures are cozy and inviting. The text is a bit hard to read when printed over the illustrations a couple times, particularly over part of a blue sky.
For ages 45 to 8, sugar making, family traditions, food themes, and far fans of Marsha Wilson Chall and Jim Daly.
Showing a process that has remained essentially the same for two centuries, Sugarbush Spring is a wonderful story of tradition, ritual, friendship and family. Intergeneratinal relationships are nicely shown. The illustrations are beautiful and give a real sense of place to the story. I particularly enjoyed the pictures with the horses and Daisy the dog involved in the process. The pictures are cozy and inviting. The text is a bit hard to read when printed over the illustrations a couple times, particularly over part of a blue sky.
For ages 45 to 8, sugar making, family traditions, food themes, and far fans of Marsha Wilson Chall and Jim Daly.
September 18, 2010
Ages 4-8
Perfect book for those of us living in the rural Northeast. Most students will be able to relate to this book. It is also informative for those who do not know how syrup is made. The pictures are beautiful! They could be framed as art work. This book makes me want to cozy up next to a fire and spend some time with family.
Uses: Steps in a process/ chain of events, family traditions, food making, and seasonal event.
Perfect book for those of us living in the rural Northeast. Most students will be able to relate to this book. It is also informative for those who do not know how syrup is made. The pictures are beautiful! They could be framed as art work. This book makes me want to cozy up next to a fire and spend some time with family.
Uses: Steps in a process/ chain of events, family traditions, food making, and seasonal event.
July 14, 2012
I loved this book and so did my boys! It is the story of a little girl and maple syrup season on their farm. She goes out to tap the trees with her grandpa and then we see them actually making the syrup and sharing in all the stories and fun that go with it. Illustrations are FABULOUS! I felt like I was right there in the pictures with the characters!
June 30, 2012
I love maple sugaring and real maple syrup and it turns out that I love reading books about it too. Nice story. Good book.
March 1, 2023
It was a little bit long but in the end I thought it was a good book about sugaring just like they do here in Vermont.
January 3, 2016
Interesting information about the process of making maple syrup.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
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