This weekend and next weekend the Maple Syrup Festival is going on at LM Sugarbush Farm in Salem. Are you going? Have you been? It’s always a fun time and great chance to purchase some locally made, delicious maple syrup. And after you visit the Maple Syrup Festival, you might want to come on home, make yourself some pancakes and read some books with the family (wash your hands first, please!). Here are some great picture books to share if you’re going to the Maple Syrup Festival.
Almost Time by Gary D. Schmidt and Elizabeth Stickney, illustrated by G. Brian Karas (2020). This quiet picture book pays homage to maple syrup farms and the slow, gradual change of the seasons as Ethan waits for small changes that mean the sap will start running – the days will get warmer, the nights will grow shorter… it’s so hard to wait! But wait we must.
Bear Goes Sugaring by Maxwell Eaton III (2020). This comics-style picture book explains how old fashioned maple syrup is made as Bear assembles her tools, drills and taps the trees, and makes maple syrup for her pancakes. The cute illustrations and asides from Bear’s hungry sidekicks make it as fun as it is informative.
How Is Maple Syrup Made? by Grace Hansen (2019). For a more straightforward treatment with photo illustrations, you may like this book instead. This nonfiction book takes young readers through the process of bottling maple syrup in Canada.
Pancakes, Pancakes! by Eric Carle (1990). Of course you’re going to need something to put your maple syrup on and may I suggest some delicious pancakes? In this spirited picture book by the inimitable Eric Carle, Jack wants pancakes, but he’ll have to start from scratch getting all the ingredients together. He must cut the wheat to grind for flour, milk the cow, churn the butter, and build a fire. Who knew so much work went into making pancakes?! Luckily we don’t have to do all those things from scratch today, but this is a great look at all the ingredients that go into this classic breakfast dish.
Enjoy these yummy books!
