We are excited to share another great review for Salad Pie from School Library Journal.
Maggie believes the only way to make salad pie is in the park by herself. There should be no noise and, most importantly, no help. Herbert’s appearance makes her grumpy at first, but when she realizes she can’t scare him away, she reluctantly allows him to help add a garnish or two to her dandelion, crab apple, and clover salad. When Maggie falls off the slide performing her salad song-and-dance routine, Herbert is there to catch her and the salad. The qualities anyone would want in a friend are clearly visible in Herbert at that moment. The characters in this story are old enough to go to the park by themselves, and they appear to be of different racial backgrounds. Maggie might be considered a loner, but when Herbert impresses her with his imaginative culinary skills, she is willing to change her plans for the day and make a new friend. After reading this book, take a child outside and see what they can invent with the ingredients they find in the yard or on a walk. VERDICT A fine addition to collections in need of imaginative friendship tales.–Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake Public Library, AB, Canada