The charming story of Blueberries for Sal has won audiences' hearts for generations.
Kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk! Sal and her mother a picking blueberries to can for the winter. But when Sal wanders to the other side of Blueberry Hill, she discovers a mama bear preparing for her own long winter. Meanwhile Sal's mother is being followed by a small bear with a big appetite for berries! Will each mother go home with the right little one?Download and start listening now!
"McCloskey's use of his pen with blue ink on off-white paper embodies a world of simple printing, syle and interiors that some of us can remember our way back to - I wonder how a young child reading this now processes this very different place. It is a pleasure to roam this Maine island with young Sal, her mother, and the corresponding mother bear and her cub. The joy of blueberry picking for canning (while Sal eats more than she can pick, and the bears eat to get ready for winter) creates a beautiful symmetry that propels the story forward with occasional hints of what might come next. McCloskey brings other lovers of this state treasure into his story, including a mother partridge and her chicks, and mother crow with her young. The surprises are endearing and even the encounter with the bears has little fear for young readers."
— Paul (4 out of 5 stars)
" Love the pace of this cute story. And the blue illustrations are perfect. Fell in love with Sal as she reminded me of my middle child. "
— Swhite, 2/13/2014" sweet book for little kids. It is an excellent book to read aloud to your children and grandchildren. It is about a girl out picking berries for her mom and it shows a baby bear doing the same for his mom. "
— Michelle, 2/4/2014" One of my favorites from childhood. I read it to both of my boys. I also like to use it for storytime when I get some older children (4-5 year olds.) "
— June, 2/3/2014" One of our favorites. I love Robert McCloskey. "
— Kathleen, 2/3/2014" A classic by one of my favorite authors. Caldecott honor and magical. You can imagine the sound of the berries hitting the bucket, the little ones that want to eat all the berries, and the comical mix up of each of the moms. Read it as a summer favorite and go pick some berries. "
— Lisa, 1/28/2014" Little Sal and Little Bear both lose their mothers while eating blueberries and almost end up with the other's mother. "
— Jewelee, 1/25/2014" Without a doubt, one of my all-time favorite books, both to look at, and to read to the kids. The illustrations are great, and are my favorite black-and-white (actually blue-and-white) illustration ever. Both my kids love the story, and laugh every time I read it to them, even after the hundreds of times I have done so. A classic picture book, which should be required reading for all. I always love the endpapers with the 1940's era kitchen showing Sal's Mother canning the blueberries. "
— Ed, 1/16/2014" I loved this book when I was a kid and I think it holds up well today. I long ago lost my original copy, but liked the book enough to buy it again as an adult so that I'd have it in my collection. "
— Lisa, 1/15/2014" Great illustrations, This book really has no educational value but if anything can be used with it, this can be used to lead students into writing about their favorite food "
— Travis, 1/3/2014" Not really a fan of Blueberries for Sal. I kept thinking the mom was about to get eaten by the mama bear. I don't think that was the author's intention, but nonetheless. A cute story overall, and I love the effect of the "kurplink, kurplank, kurplunk." "
— Courtney, 12/23/2013" I loved this book when I was little "
— Elizabeth, 12/15/2013" Haha I liked this book as a kid. I think all kids should read it... it's a part of childhood and a classic. And it so beats Where the Wilds Things are (or live whatever) "
— Andrea, 11/17/2013" I love Robert McCloskey books. This is so sweet and charming. My 4 year old really enjoyed it - it's nice when he's able to predict what's coming. It's not my favorite of his, but it's just lovely. "
— Joelle, 11/16/2013" 1949 Caldecott Honor "
— Brindi, 10/18/2013" The pictures in this book appealed to me, however, I thought there was something wrong with Sal's parents. "
— InternetRex, 9/7/2013" I thought that this was a very cute book. It may be a little long for a read aloud, but definitely a good partner/silent reading source. "
— Erin, 5/21/2013" I can not ever remember not having this book. It is one of my very favorites and I plan on giving it to my granddaughter very soon! "
— PLM, 9/29/2012" WOW! I forgot about this one! Such a sweet book. Don't think I even had the opportunity to read it to my son. Wonder if he (15 years old) would sit still and let me read it to him....LOL. "
— Sabrina, 9/4/2012" Ah! Saw this at the library today and read it in the stacks. I remember this book from years ago. It's so cute about little Sal, her mother, and Little Bear, and his mother--all picking blueberries on Blueberry Hill. "
— Anna, 6/3/2012" Sal goes berry picking with his mom but ends up following mother bear. "
— Sandra, 2/6/2012" Great story. Love the idea that a little kid would climb after the mom and take out the blueberries. This is exactly what my boys would do. Great read. "
— Alisa, 12/29/2011" I've read this book to our son when he was little and fell in love. Every summer I make time to curl up with my favorite summer read! "
— Rona, 12/28/2011Robert McCloskey (1914–2003) wrote and illustrated some of the most honored and enduring children’s books ever published. He grew up in Hamilton, Ohio, and spent time in Boston, New York, and ultimately Maine, where he and his wife raised their two daughters. The first ever two-time Caldecott Medal winner, for Make Way for Ducklings and Time of Wonder, McCloskey was also awarded Caldecott Honors for Blueberries for Sal, One Morning in Maine, and Journey Cake, Ho! by Ruth Sawyer. He was declared a Living Legend by the Library of Congress in 2000. You can see some of his best-loved characters immortalized as statues in Boston’s Public Garden and Lentil Park in Hamilton, Ohio.
Robert McCloskey (1914–2003) wrote and illustrated some of the most honored and enduring children’s books ever published. He grew up in Hamilton, Ohio, and spent time in Boston, New York, and ultimately Maine, where he and his wife raised their two daughters. The first ever two-time Caldecott Medal winner, for Make Way for Ducklings and Time of Wonder, McCloskey was also awarded Caldecott Honors for Blueberries for Sal, One Morning in Maine, and Journey Cake, Ho! by Ruth Sawyer. He was declared a Living Legend by the Library of Congress in 2000. You can see some of his best-loved characters immortalized as statues in Boston’s Public Garden and Lentil Park in Hamilton, Ohio.