Celebrating with themes of food, family, and friends this month:
Author: Aleksei Tolstoy
Illustrator: Niamh Sharkey
Publisher: Barefoot Books, 1998
Age Level: 3-7 yrs
Themes: folklore, Russia, gardening, animals, teamwork
Opening: Long ago, an old man and an old woman lived together in a crooked old cottage with a large, overgrown garden.
Summary: (from the publisher) A hilarious retelling of the famous Russian folktale of the turnip that grows and grows and grows.. Simple vocabulary, lots of repetition, and quirky illustrations add to its overall appeal.
Why I like this book: First of all. the opening line is what I think kids will be saying about my house in the future! It’s already 112 years old and the loosening bricks may give a crooked look to the place soon enough! But many of you may know this story already since so many versions have been published. Here is my favorite spread because I love silhouettes –
Resources/Activities: plant turnips (and more veg/flowers) in the spring; create a lesson about root vegetables, which are not as commonly used anymore (pity!) – and make soup; check out Barefoot Turtle blog for a wonderful ‘chain’ craft idea; reenact the story as a play; read a Spanish/English version too.
julie rowan-zoch 
What a beautiful cover. You always have an eye for proportion in everything you do. Sounds like a beautiful re-write of a traditional folk tale. And, I do see the humor. Great choice.
LikeLike
I was amazed myself that I had not read this story before.
LikeLike
I’m not a big fan of turnips, but this book looks delicious. Adding it to my much check out list.
LikeLike
Make that “must check out,” although I’ll probably check it out “much” as well. 🙂
LikeLike
Better than mulch!
LikeLike
Must re-read this book, thanks for reminding me.
LikeLike
Re-reading Tom Sawyer right now; forgot how funny it is!
LikeLike
I’ve never had turnip before, but I sure like the looks of this book! I’ll have to check it out and maybe try some turnip.
LikeLike
and rutabagas and parsnips…
LikeLike
I like that word! Rutabaga! I’ll have to look for that — rutabaga —
LikeLike
I love the word turnip it is perfect for a fun pb. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLike
I don’t like turnip, or parsnip for that matter. But I do love this book. Russian folktale, I must check this out. Thanks Julie
LikeLike
Adore parsnips! Mmmm!
LikeLike
I love anything Russian, Julie, since my kids were adopted from that country. Good choice!
LikeLike
Hope you post some Russian stories soon too!
LikeLike
Cool sounding book. Another thing to do with turnips is carve them into jack o lanterns — that’s apparently what people used when they didn’t have pumpkins. Can’t imagine it, myself, but I’ve read it, so it must be true! 😉
Thanks, Julie!
LikeLike
I’d heard that too, and believe it – the pumpkins I could find when I first went to Germany in the eighties were very pale so they were probably not an attractive first choice, plus I heard they would carve then carry the turnips on sticks – pumpkins would have been a bit heavy!
LikeLike
I remember reading a version of this story when I was young, too. This looks like a beautiful update.
LikeLike
We love this book! It has such a wonderful pattern that keeps building with every page turn. Great recommendation, Julie.
LikeLike
I must be looking forward to Thanksgiving with my tummy!
LikeLike
The Big Pumpkin is a Halloween take off of this story. I should check out the original. thanks
LikeLike
Who wrote that one Sandi?
LikeLike
Great pick! 🙂 I really like folk-tales!
LikeLike
Me too. I recently complained at the library because they ‘don’t have room’ for the folktales-stand I liked to browse through since they renovated, though the space is larger now. I figure since I am one of their best ‘customers’ they should listen to me – lol!
LikeLike
This looks great, Julie! I think I’ve read an Irish version – Jamie O’Toole and the Giant Tatie or something along those lines… I don’t think that’s quite right 🙂 Anyway, I love folk tales and retellings and this looks very fun! Thanks for adding it to our list 🙂
LikeLike
Sounds like a dePaola! I’ll have to look for it!
LikeLike
Beautiful choice, Julie! I also love folktales…they have so much truth and humor in them…I will definitely try to get a copy of this one…the spread almost reminded me of Wanda Gag’s “Millions of Cats”. 🙂
LikeLike
LOVE that one!
LikeLike
I have not read this…it sounds fun…and I like the silhouette spread.
LikeLike
Thanks for stopping by Laura!
LikeLike
Oh…I love that spread. This is a must for me! Thanks for the great review, Julie.
LikeLike
Inspired a PiBoIdMo for me!
LikeLike
Pingback: Lin Yi's Lantern Book Review - The Barefoot Social