GIGANTIC SWEET POTATO

As soon as she feels a hankering for sweet-potato pie, Ma Farmer knows what to add to her excellent vegetable garden. Colorful watercolors accompany the rhythmic text and add a touch of foreshadowing; the indomitable mouse that eventually solves the problem close at hand appears early to watch the goings-on. Based on the Russian folktale "The Giant Turnip," this lighthearted story stars Ma rather than Pa as the gardener and traces the growth of the sweet potato from farmer’s market to kitchen jar, then through planting, watering and growth. When it’s time to harvest, the fun begins, as Ma Farmer enlists Pa and a variety of farmyard animals to help when the potato remains resolutely rooted underground. Children will happily join in with the repetitive, cumulative text and enjoy the satisfying end, which naturally features sweet-potato pie (and a recipe for it). A nice tie-in to school- or home-based gardening projects, this tasty selection is a solid interpretation of the classic tale, with appealing pictures and a strong female character. (Picture book/folktale. 3-7)