★ “Even as Eaton folds in lots of information, diagrams, and solid vocabulary (‘spiles,’ ‘brace,’ ‘sugarbush’), the antics of Bear’s two sidekicks—Squirrel and Dog—will keep readers in stitches and turning pages and learning a lot about the process of maple sugaring. . . . Readers are sure to request both rereads and pancakes. . . and maybe a few spiles and buckets of their own.”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
★ “Watercolor and pencil illustrations by Eaton (the Truth About series) illustrations have a cheery, get-’er-done orderliness, efficiently conveying a wealth of information with comics-style panels, cinematic framing, text callouts, and just the right number of comic asides from Bear’s peanut gallery.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
★ “This cheery title will serve equally well as a humorously cartooned winter idyll or an actual guide book with suggestions on how to accomplish a smaller scale production. Then regardless of choice—aspirational or practical—there must, of course, be pancakes.”—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, Starred Review
“This dynamic title succeeds in showcasing the complexity, can-do spirit, and fun behind ‘maple syrup splendor.’ “—The Horn Book
“The text describes the process of sugaring from beginning to end: when to tap maple trees, the tools needed for gathering sap, and the steps it takes to turn sap into delicious syrup. . . . The drawings act as a visual aid, especially if sugaring is new to readers. Humorous commentary from Bear’s friends Squirrel and Dog may reflect what readers are thinking throughout the story. . . . a great teaching resource for science curricula about trees and seasons”—School Library Journal
“A wonderfully specific book that will delight the right readers, especially in maple syrup territory of the Northeast and Midwest.”—Booklist
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