  | Almost time Author: Schmidt, Gary D. | |
| Price: $22.58 | ||
Summary:
Ethan eagerly anticipates making maple syrup with his father, but it will not be time until the days are warmer, the nights shorter, and Ethan's loose tooth falls out.
| Added Entry - Personal Name: | Stickney, Elizabeth |
| Illustrator: | Karas, G. Brian |
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: LG Reading Level: 2.70 Points: .5 Quiz: 508068 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (10/01/19)
School Library Journal (12/01/19)
Booklist (11/15/19)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (00/01/20)
The Hornbook (00/01/20)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 11/15/2019 Moonlight highlights the bare-branched trees of winter as a little boy asks, “Is the sap running yet?” “Not until the days get warmer,” answers Dad. On Sunday morning, there isn’t any syrup on Ethan’s cornbread. And next week, no syrup on his oatmeal. Plus, his loose tooth hasn’t come out yet. Finally, days get warmer, the tooth comes out, and the sap starts to run. As the two collect the sap in buckets, tend the fire beneath the pans, boil the sap, and bottle it, breakfast is pancakes with sweet maple syrup. The final picture of a contented boy and a cuddly teddy bear is comfortable and sweet as the reward for a long wait is at last realized. Karas’ distinctive mixed-media illustrations with muted hues and delicate lines expressively show the tenderness between father and child, emphasizing the perceived slowness of time passing and the difficulty of waiting. Each detailed picture has blurred borders for the cameos, contrasting with full-page depictions of the woods in both day and night. - Copyright 2019 Booklist.
School Library Journal - 12/01/2019 PreS-Gr 1—Young Ethan and his faithful teddy try to understand why they must wait for sugaring time to bring maple syrup back to their breakfast table for pancakes, corn bread, and oatmeal. His dad patiently explains the need to wait for warmer temperatures and shorter nights before tapping the trees, but the child repeatedly asks, "How long?" Things get really tough when Ethan also has to wait for a loose tooth to come out. The tooth and sap finally cooperate on the same day. Readers get to see a bit of the syrup process from tree to table. Karas's mixed media illustrations are bold and dynamic. Indoor scenes of Ethan and his dad are warm and cozy, while the cold, crisp outdoor scenes are starkly evocative. VERDICT In addition to promoting the value of patience, Schmidt's story will also be valuable for early study of changing seasons and teaching where food comes from. A fine choice for most collections.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA - Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
