From School Library Journal
PreSchool-K?On a visit to his grandparents' house, Oliver wants to eat only French fries. Grandpa tells him that he may look in the garden for potatoes, but that he must eat what he finds, whatever it may be. On the first evening, Oliver pulls up carrots and discovers that he likes them. On successive days he discovers spinach, rhubarb, cabbage, beets, and peas?all of which he eats with unexpected enjoyment. On the last evening, he finds the potatoes at last and as he is sitting down to supper his mother arrives. Oh dear! Too bad! She thinks Oliver is still eating only fried potatoes. Oliver and his grandparents laugh delightedly at the irony, and so will small listeners. Bartlett's paintings are abstract, yet quite understandable for young children who are still visually inexperienced. Odd perspectives and proportions add to the pleasure of looking?as when the vegetables in the garden seem to be larger than the humans. Lush colors of growing things seem splashed on the pages with a carefree joy. Have some fresh veggies ready for snacking.?Ruth Semrau, formerly at Lovejoy School, Allen, TX
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Ages 3^-7. Simplicity is the hallmark of this vibrant picture book. French fries fan Oliver is spending a week with his grandparents. After declaring, "I don't eat vegetables," he strikes a bargain with Grandpa. If he finds the potatoes in Grandpa's vegetable garden, he can have fries. But if he finds something else, he must eat it with no complaints. The streamlined text has an appealing rhythm: Tuesday's spinach is "good," Wednesday's rhubarb is "very good," and Thursday's cabbage is "very, very good." The sweeping, childlike acrylic paintings explode with bright colors, large forms, and intricate textures. Oliver's ever-present, inquisitive pooch, bespectacled Grandpa, and hip, earring-wearing Gran are as expressive as the hero. Use this breezy story as the centerpiece in a preschool story time about food or gardens--or just for plain old fun.
Julie Corsaro
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.