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Buster's Sugartime
When his father takes him to visit Vermont, Buster sends postcards to his friends back home telling them what he is learning about maple syrup and the "mud season.
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
51 people want to read
About the author
Marc Brown
575 books389 followersMarc Tolon Brown is perhaps best known for his series of children's books about Arthur the aardvark, which was turned into an animated television show on PBS. Brown is a three-time Emmy Award winner, for his role on the television show inspired by his books.
He lives on Martha's Vineyard and in New York City with his wife, Laurie Krasny Brown. He has three children, sons Tolon and Tucker, and daughter Eliza. The names of his two sons have been hidden in all of the Arthur books except for one: Arthur's Tooth.
He lives on Martha's Vineyard and in New York City with his wife, Laurie Krasny Brown. He has three children, sons Tolon and Tucker, and daughter Eliza. The names of his two sons have been hidden in all of the Arthur books except for one: Arthur's Tooth.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
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November 25, 2019Text-to-Self Connection
Buster's Sugartime by Marc Brown is an informative book. Buster and other characters from the Arthur book series introduces the reader to what sap in the tree is used for. The book begins by introducing children to vocabulary discussed in the story. It also begins a discussion of the history of the state of Vermont. I love the way Mr. Brown used his lovable character Buster to engage the reader. This book provides multiple lessons, from family, to geography, and language. This book reminds me of a show I watched as a child, Mister Rogers Neighborhood. Mister Rogers would often introduce a topic with a discussion and later take the viewers on a field trip via the television. Guest would visit the show with lots of information regarding the topic, then we would visit the land of make believe to continue the discussion. This show gave children like me an opportunity to continue to learn even when the classroom walls were down. Mr. Brown was very careful introducing the topic of two moms. He is not condoning a different lifestyle, he is introducing a lifestyle for others.
Buster's Sugartime by Marc Brown is an informative book. Buster and other characters from the Arthur book series introduces the reader to what sap in the tree is used for. The book begins by introducing children to vocabulary discussed in the story. It also begins a discussion of the history of the state of Vermont. I love the way Mr. Brown used his lovable character Buster to engage the reader. This book provides multiple lessons, from family, to geography, and language. This book reminds me of a show I watched as a child, Mister Rogers Neighborhood. Mister Rogers would often introduce a topic with a discussion and later take the viewers on a field trip via the television. Guest would visit the show with lots of information regarding the topic, then we would visit the land of make believe to continue the discussion. This show gave children like me an opportunity to continue to learn even when the classroom walls were down. Mr. Brown was very careful introducing the topic of two moms. He is not condoning a different lifestyle, he is introducing a lifestyle for others.
July 11, 2010
I was a little disappointed in this book. It’s a children’s book that really is for children. As an adult I wasn’t that entertained or informed. It’s a Passport to Reading Level 2 (of 3) book: “Increased vocabulary and longer sentences.”
I love maple syrup and I’m interested in the process it takes to make it. (I did have Pete Seeger’s “Maple Syrup Time” song running through my head as I was reading this.)
This story is fictional but includes facts about maple syrup too. It also has some real photos mixed in with the illustrations. I got the feeling that there are other stories about Buster.
I do appreciate that a vocabulary list is given at the very front of the book, instead of putting it in the back, as is more typical.
I loved the included photos. I loath to say it, but I came close to hating the illustrations; I didn’t much like them. I found Buster to be painted in an annoying way. I suspect that many kids will completely disagree with me.
I guess this book is fine for early readers, but I don’t recommend it to other adults.
I love maple syrup and I’m interested in the process it takes to make it. (I did have Pete Seeger’s “Maple Syrup Time” song running through my head as I was reading this.)
This story is fictional but includes facts about maple syrup too. It also has some real photos mixed in with the illustrations. I got the feeling that there are other stories about Buster.
I do appreciate that a vocabulary list is given at the very front of the book, instead of putting it in the back, as is more typical.
I loved the included photos. I loath to say it, but I came close to hating the illustrations; I didn’t much like them. I found Buster to be painted in an annoying way. I suspect that many kids will completely disagree with me.
I guess this book is fine for early readers, but I don’t recommend it to other adults.
April 12, 2017
First, the book wasn't really educational at all--I picked it out assuming some new terms by my six year old son would be learned. Secondly, the fact there are same sex couples in here caused me to stop reading it out loud to my son halfway through. This review isn't to start a debate or discussion with anyone (so please save yourselves the trouble), but I feel with such a highly controversial topic, parents should be warned before allowing their children to be exposed to the material. Say what you will about where society is today--the fact is, there still is and will be forever, many parents who disagree this is a moral way to live. Parents deserve a warning anytime content material will be presented under this category.
Come to think of it - maybe the whole point of the book's education was to normalize something that I've taught my children isn't normal. Since the book is lacking in educational content, I'm only forced to make that assumption.
Come to think of it - maybe the whole point of the book's education was to normalize something that I've taught my children isn't normal. Since the book is lacking in educational content, I'm only forced to make that assumption.
April 13, 2019
This book is about Buster going to Vermont to see his friends with his dad. This book talks about various things buster got to do like gather wood for a bonfire and learning how to get maple syrup from a tree. Personally, I did not find this book super exciting because it was just about going to a new state and learning how to make maple. However, just because I did not find this book exciting does not mean my students will not.
This book is censored because it references to two different family households with two moms as parents. I do not think this book needs to be censored as it teaches that families can look different from the ones we come from. Regardless of if this book is censored or not, students will still come in contact with families or their own family could have two moms or two dads. Regardless if parents want their students to be exposed to literature with children who have parents of the same sex, they will be exposed to it. Many young adult novels have parents of the same sex or siblings dating someone of the same sex.
This book is a level two reading book. I think the best way to introduce this book to my students is to use it as a book for them to read to me when we are tracking their reading. It is important to utilize time to talk to children about how some families do have parents of the same sex in order to teach them that each person still deserves to be treated with equal respect.
This book is censored because it references to two different family households with two moms as parents. I do not think this book needs to be censored as it teaches that families can look different from the ones we come from. Regardless of if this book is censored or not, students will still come in contact with families or their own family could have two moms or two dads. Regardless if parents want their students to be exposed to literature with children who have parents of the same sex, they will be exposed to it. Many young adult novels have parents of the same sex or siblings dating someone of the same sex.
This book is a level two reading book. I think the best way to introduce this book to my students is to use it as a book for them to read to me when we are tracking their reading. It is important to utilize time to talk to children about how some families do have parents of the same sex in order to teach them that each person still deserves to be treated with equal respect.
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May 24, 20232 moms of a kid are mentioned in this book.
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I didn't know there was a 'mud season' at the end of winter in Vermont... and it's nice that Buster spoke about how many kinds of trees produce syrup, but only maple syrup tastes so good.
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I didn't know there was a 'mud season' at the end of winter in Vermont... and it's nice that Buster spoke about how many kinds of trees produce syrup, but only maple syrup tastes so good.
September 3, 2014
Great book! There are so many creative ways that it can be used. The layout is perfect. I'm hooked on using the Buster series as an educational resource.
January 8, 2017
The info about making syrup was accurate, but sparse.
The inclusion of not one, but two, lesbian couples in this book made it one we will not be reading a second time.
The inclusion of not one, but two, lesbian couples in this book made it one we will not be reading a second time.
March 26, 2017
Buster's Sugartime was a cute story about his trip to Vermont. He tells his friends about what he is learning about maple syrup. Within the story, there is a lesbian couple. This reason is why the book is controversial. While I was reading some other reviews of this book, people were not happy with the inclusion this couple in this story. They said that for that reason they would not read this book again, nor would they recommend it. I believe that books are tools for learning and that children need to learn to respect different views and choices. I would have this book in my classroom.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews