If You Like...Maple Syrup

The end of January is the time of year when maple syrup farmers begin to tap maple trees to access the sugary sap inside. As the weather starts to warm up, the sap inside the trees flows out through the tap to the buckets waiting to collect it below. The sap is then distilled into delicious syrup we know and love. As much as 40 gallons of sap are distilled to make a single gallon of syrup! Break out the pancakes and check out these books about maple syrup during the sugaring season.

Almost Time
By Gary D. Schmidt and Elizabeth Stickney

Illustrated by G. Brian Karas

New York: Clarion Books, 2020. Picture Book.

Ethan can't wait until it's time for the weather to warm up so he and his dad can begin the process of harvesting and making their maple syrup. Having to wait for his loose tooth to fall out doesn't make the process any easier. Readers will relate to Ethan's eagerness as he learns that although being patient is difficult, the rewards are worth it.

Bear Goes Sugaring

By Maxwell Eaton III

New York: Holiday House, 2019. Informational.

Bear takes the reader through every step of the and old fashioned process to make their own maple syrup, from tapping the trees to distilling the sap. Bear's humorous companions of Squirrel and Dog make comments that will keep readers entertained.

Maple Syrup Season

By Ann Purmell

Illustrated by Jill Weber

New York: Holiday House, 2008. Picture Book.

Grandpa teaches the entire Brockwell family to contribute in the harvest of maple syrup on their family farm. Information at the end of the book explains terminology and includes more information about maple syrup.

Caillou at the Sugar Shack

By Carine Laforest

Illustrated by Mario Allard

Montreal, QC: Chouette, 2018. Picture Book.

Caillou and his family go visit a ranch, where their friend Jonas shows Caillou how sap is collected and teaches Caillou how to make a new treat, maple toffee.

A Winter Treasury of Recipes, Crafts, and Wisdom

By Angela Ferraro-Fanning

Illustrated by AnneliesDraws

Beverly, MA: Ivy Kids, 2022. Informational.

This collection has a number of nature-based crafts, activities, and projects to be done together with children. There is even a section on harvesting tree sap and a recipe for maple syrup candies!

Dude, That's Rude! (Get Some Manners) by Pamela Espeland & Elizabeth Verdick

If there's one book today's kids need to read, it is Dude, That's Rude! (Get Some Manners) . The authors provide a fun format for teaching etiquette to children. They discuss proper behavior at home, at school, at other people's homes and in public places. The information is completely up-to-date with cellphone manners and netiquette included. Fun, cartoony illustrations are on practically every page giving the book great visual appeal. This book is perfect for boys and girls in the fourth grade or older. WARNING: Bodily functions are discussed.

Funny Farm by Mark Teague 2009

There are things I liked about Mark Teague's newest book, Funny Farm , and things I didn't like. Where should I start? I'll do the "didn'ts" first. The illustrations show animals personified. Well, some of the animals are. The main characters, Edward, and his farm family relatives, all dogs, are humanized. They stand upright, do farm chores, eat at a table, wear clothes, knit (yes, with paws) and sleep in beds. Most everybody else on and around the farm, who are also animals, act like animals. They are outside, roll in mud, live in the barn, and require care from their owners. It struck me the most on the page spread where there are pigs playing in puddle in the rain and Edward, a black and white boxer, watches from inside the house. I thought "You're a dog! Go play with them!" But, alas, he can't, seeing as how he goes through his entire visit to the farm wearing a suit and red bow tie. Another picture that bothered me was the maple syrup pa...

Faces of the Moon by Bob Crelin

Faces of the Moon by Bob Crelin Illustrated by Leslie Evans Charlesburg; 2009; unpaged Faces of the Moon is a short nonfiction book that describes the different phases of the moon and why the moon appears like it does on certain nights. This book is short and sweet so even the youngest of moon lovers will enjoy it. The layout is simplistic and easy to follow. I don’t know much about the moon so I found it very interesting.

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