Raspberries
Kindergarten-Grade 2—Simon is a talented baker. He is also kind, often selling two loaves for a penny to Sally, a poor child in town. But when he's robbed by his fellow bakers, he decides to give up baking and move away. Things get even worse when lightning strikes his barn, killing his chickens. Soon, though, in the best folkloric tradition, his kindness to Sally is repaid when she gives him a pouch full of dried raspberries. The berries that grow when he throws them on his fields are so delicious that folks who eat them jump in the air and sing, "Rasssssspberrrrrrrieeeeees!" Eventually, these magical fruits help lead Simon into a wonderful new life. This old-fashioned, somewhat rambling tale is greatly enhanced by Moses's oil paintings. They are done in his signature folk-art style, depicting a colorful landscape with horse-drawn wagons, kids rolling hoops down the street, and general stores with big pickle barrels. A recording of the author telling the story is included. While not an essential purchase, this story will hold special appeal for O'Callahan's many fans.—Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, ILEND--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.