Today Caramel picked up a beautiful picture book originally published in 2000: Sugarbush Spring, written by Marsha Wilson Chall and illustrated by Jim Daly. As usual, Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.
Sprinkles: It is almost spring here, the spring equinox is tonight, and so today we are talking about a book about spring, right Caramel?
Caramel: Yep. We are.
S: But this is a spring that is quite different from the ones we are used to here where we live, right?
C: Yeah it is still snowy there and we almost never get much snow.
S: I know, right? Seasons are different all around the world. And we are in the northern hemisphere, so when it is our spring, it is fall in the southern hemisphere. So even more different.
C: Yes, Sprinkles. You said it is almost spring here, and yet in Australia, for example, that is not correct.
S: I know, right? It is pretty cool actually. That we live all around this planet, and we experience quite a lot of different things, and yet, we all experience seasons in some ways. So the spring in this book is what kind of a spring?
C: Well, there is still snow on the ground, but during the day it is above freezing.
S: That is quite different from where we are, right? Here, we almost never go below freezing.
C: Yeah, it does not ever get too cold here, at all.
S: Yet, Marshmallow is always cold when it is just a bit cooler than usual.
C: Yeah, it is very funny.
S: I think it is funny because I have lived in places which got a lot colder than here, but also she does not always think about wearing warmer clothes to keep warm. Then again, neither do you. You would go out with shorts and sandals every day if you had your way.
C: That is not funny.
S: Okay, I see how things are. When it is Marshmallow, we can make fun of her, but when it is you, oh, it is not funny anymore?
C: Yep, it was only funny when it happened to Marshmallow.
S: Okay, let us not make fun of anyone then. I think people (and bunnies too of course) get used to where they have been living for a while, and so they notice the changes in the weather where they live even if they are not big changes in comparison to other places. So let us get back to Sugarbush Spring.
C: Yes, let’s. That way at least I won’t be insulted.
S: I was not trying to insult you; I was only teasing. I am sorry.
S: Okay, back to Sugarbush Spring. So this story must be about somewhere in the northeast of the United States, or maybe Canada, right?
C: Yeah, they are making maple syrup, and it says that they are in Canada.
S: Cool! Tell me more.
C: When it is time, when it is no longer freezing during the day, they go to a tree and they take some sap from the tree and make some maple syrup from it and at the end they make candy from the syrup.
S: That is cool! Did you know that is how they make maple syrup?
C: Yes I did, but this book has lots of cool pictures showing exactly how they go through the full process of making maple syrup.
S: Of course, you are a little bunny who really knows a lot of things. But you are right, the pictures in this book are quite instructive. But they are not like textbook pictures.
C: Yes, they are very colorful and they are relatively detailed and very pretty.
S: Also quite realistic. I mean they almost look like photos.
C: Yeah. and it is fun to look at them. The details are neat. I especially liked how they made the candy in the end.
S: Of course! Maple syrup candy must taste so good. I have never had one but I can imagine.
C: I bet it tastes even better when you watch it being made. Hmm, now I want some maple syrup candy.
S: Unfortunately we do not have any at home Caramel. And we do not have any maple trees to make maple syrup, either.
C: I know it is kind of sad. But I guess that is why it is good we can find some of those things in the supermarket. Though I am not sure if I ever saw maple syrup candy at the store… Hmm…
S: I am sure there is a benefit to having access to a sugar bush. According to Wikipedia, that means a collection of maple trees used to make maple syrup.
C: Yeah, it sure would be cool. And I see now, that is why the book is called Sugarbush Spring. It is spring and they will make maple syrup from the sugar bush.
S: Good catch, Caramel! That makes total sense.
C: Yep, I’m so smart, aren’t I?
S: Yes, you are! So maybe this is a good time to wrap up this review. If you were to summarize this book in three to five words, what would you say?
C: Hmm, let me think. Colorful springtime with maple syrup.
S: That works! So that is it then. What do you want to tell our readers?
C: Happy Spring Equinox! And stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!
BookBunnies 