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Picky Mrs. Pickle
Picky Mrs. Pickle won't eat anything that isn't green or pickled. That is, until her stubborn niece, Sophie Claire, introduces Mrs. Pickle to a new, "non-pickle" ice cream flavor. Mrs. Pickle will never be the same again.
32 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1999
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37 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 9, 2019
Got this one for my little Lamb (4), a pickle lover! ❤️
2019: My little Lamby (6) still loves this book and looks at it regularly. 💕
2019: My little Lamby (6) still loves this book and looks at it regularly. 💕
January 1, 2026
10/10 fave of mine, anthony enjoyed, stands the test of time I believe
November 6, 2020
Life lesson about trying new things!
December 2, 2023
Intended Audience: 1-2 grade. ages between 5-8 years old.
This story is about Mrs. Pickle, she refuses to try anything new. Even to make new friends or when she goes to the zoo she looks only at gnu. She only eats and buy her favorite color which is green. But then her niece comes along, and they always disagree but her niece Sophie does not give up on her aunt. Every Sunday they go and Sophie tries to make her aunt try a new flavor of ice cream. Mrs Pickle does not want to try nothing new. Sophie makes a deal with her aunt if she tries a new flavor of ice cream she will walk her dog for a year. Mrs. Pickle agrees and she tries a new flavor. This opens a new door for Mrs. Pickle.
I chose this book because some people are very picky eaters and tend to not want to even try new things. Being open about new foods or activities can be an eye opener for new advantages.
Lexile Measure: AD590L
This story is about Mrs. Pickle, she refuses to try anything new. Even to make new friends or when she goes to the zoo she looks only at gnu. She only eats and buy her favorite color which is green. But then her niece comes along, and they always disagree but her niece Sophie does not give up on her aunt. Every Sunday they go and Sophie tries to make her aunt try a new flavor of ice cream. Mrs Pickle does not want to try nothing new. Sophie makes a deal with her aunt if she tries a new flavor of ice cream she will walk her dog for a year. Mrs. Pickle agrees and she tries a new flavor. This opens a new door for Mrs. Pickle.
I chose this book because some people are very picky eaters and tend to not want to even try new things. Being open about new foods or activities can be an eye opener for new advantages.
Lexile Measure: AD590L
September 17, 2019
While reading this book I felt interested. I felt like this because I thought that it was crazy that she only wore one color, only liked one animal and didn't like change. I learned that change is a good thing because it can make you happier. Now that I've read this book I like to trying new foods, new clothes and pretty much new anything.
December 7, 2017
"Picky Mrs. Pickle won't try anything at all;
Nothing but green dresses filled her closet in the hall..."
An oldie and a goodie -- 16+ years after its release, I can still quote this book nearly word-for-word.
Nothing but green dresses filled her closet in the hall..."
An oldie and a goodie -- 16+ years after its release, I can still quote this book nearly word-for-word.
August 19, 2019
After years of wearing only green clothes and eating only pickle foods, picky Mrs. Pickle learns that trying something new can be fun.
September 8, 2025
I loved this “Green Eggs and Ham” sort of book!
March 23, 2016
Title: Picky Mrs. Pickle
Author/Illustrator: Christine M. Schneider
Genre: Picture Book
Theme(s): Open-mindedness, Perception
Opening line/sentence:
Picky Mrs. Pickle won’t try anything at all.
Brief Book Summary:
Mrs. Pickle is very set in her ways and refuses to do anything outside of what she is used to doing on a day-to-day basis. The stubborn protagonist only wears green, only eats pickle flavored foods, and is not willing to make new friends. When Mrs. Pickle’s bold niece dares her to try a new ice cream flavor, Mrs. Pickle’s world is turned upside down when she realizes that she actually likes something that is unfamiliar to her. From that point on, Mrs. Pickle is passionate about trying and doing new things.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, 1999)
Mrs. Pickle is definitely a vision: she's rather pickle-shaped herself; is always dressed in her favorite color, green; has the tight orange curls of Lucille Ball; and plays fast and loose with some pickle-green eyeshadow. She has her favorite things and favorite habits, and she won't try anything new because "I like the things I like." Her niece, Sophie Claire, however, bored with all things pickle, makes her aunt an offer she can't refuse, and Mrs. Pickle at last tries a different kind of ice cream--eggplant ripple. She finds she likes it, and the final spread shows her in a bright red frock, learning to paint. The rhymed text is a little clunky and its message isn't for the subtle, but the pictures, with their acid greens and exaggerated gestural figures, have charm; children will see themselves in Mrs. Pickle's picky habits, and have a good laugh.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Publishers Weekly (Publishers Weekly)
Mrs. Pickle wears nothing but green and eats nothing but pickles. "Anyone who has attempted to persuade someone stuck in their ways to try something new will find an ally in this buoyant tale of an eccentric who finally gives in," wrote PW.
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
I certainly agree that Mrs. Pickle is quite a vision throughout this silly picture book. I also agree with Kirkus Reviews’ statement regarding the charming illustrations—they are sure to have young readers giggling by the conclusion of the story. Additionally, both professional reviews address the ease with which readers can relate to Mrs. Pickles’ stubborn nature, and I agree that this is definitely an appealing aspect of the plot.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
The text in this picture book is purposefully simple and includes an audibly pleasing rhyme scheme that will help to keep children engaged in the story. The bland font reiterates the emphasis placed on the illustrations that almost always take up the entire page and even sometimes two pages. The exaggerated expressions of the characters add notable personality to this picture book, as well as humorous detail that readers will not be able to resist laughing at.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
Due to the simple plot line of this story, this text is ideal for preschool, kindergarten, and/or first grade students. As a teacher, I would use this picture book as an interactive read aloud, asking questions pertaining to the information that students can gather by looking solely at the illustrations. As I touched upon above, the facial expressions of the protagonists are very telling of their personalities and how they feel about various events that take place throughout the story, and thus I will encourage my students to draw conclusions about the characters based on the evidence they gather from the illustrations. This is also a fun story to encourage the sharing of predictions, as well. Will Mrs. Pickle try a new flavor? Do you think she’ll actually like it? Will she change her ways forever? This book makes for a very fun guessing game!
Author/Illustrator: Christine M. Schneider
Genre: Picture Book
Theme(s): Open-mindedness, Perception
Opening line/sentence:
Picky Mrs. Pickle won’t try anything at all.
Brief Book Summary:
Mrs. Pickle is very set in her ways and refuses to do anything outside of what she is used to doing on a day-to-day basis. The stubborn protagonist only wears green, only eats pickle flavored foods, and is not willing to make new friends. When Mrs. Pickle’s bold niece dares her to try a new ice cream flavor, Mrs. Pickle’s world is turned upside down when she realizes that she actually likes something that is unfamiliar to her. From that point on, Mrs. Pickle is passionate about trying and doing new things.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, 1999)
Mrs. Pickle is definitely a vision: she's rather pickle-shaped herself; is always dressed in her favorite color, green; has the tight orange curls of Lucille Ball; and plays fast and loose with some pickle-green eyeshadow. She has her favorite things and favorite habits, and she won't try anything new because "I like the things I like." Her niece, Sophie Claire, however, bored with all things pickle, makes her aunt an offer she can't refuse, and Mrs. Pickle at last tries a different kind of ice cream--eggplant ripple. She finds she likes it, and the final spread shows her in a bright red frock, learning to paint. The rhymed text is a little clunky and its message isn't for the subtle, but the pictures, with their acid greens and exaggerated gestural figures, have charm; children will see themselves in Mrs. Pickle's picky habits, and have a good laugh.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Publishers Weekly (Publishers Weekly)
Mrs. Pickle wears nothing but green and eats nothing but pickles. "Anyone who has attempted to persuade someone stuck in their ways to try something new will find an ally in this buoyant tale of an eccentric who finally gives in," wrote PW.
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
I certainly agree that Mrs. Pickle is quite a vision throughout this silly picture book. I also agree with Kirkus Reviews’ statement regarding the charming illustrations—they are sure to have young readers giggling by the conclusion of the story. Additionally, both professional reviews address the ease with which readers can relate to Mrs. Pickles’ stubborn nature, and I agree that this is definitely an appealing aspect of the plot.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
The text in this picture book is purposefully simple and includes an audibly pleasing rhyme scheme that will help to keep children engaged in the story. The bland font reiterates the emphasis placed on the illustrations that almost always take up the entire page and even sometimes two pages. The exaggerated expressions of the characters add notable personality to this picture book, as well as humorous detail that readers will not be able to resist laughing at.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
Due to the simple plot line of this story, this text is ideal for preschool, kindergarten, and/or first grade students. As a teacher, I would use this picture book as an interactive read aloud, asking questions pertaining to the information that students can gather by looking solely at the illustrations. As I touched upon above, the facial expressions of the protagonists are very telling of their personalities and how they feel about various events that take place throughout the story, and thus I will encourage my students to draw conclusions about the characters based on the evidence they gather from the illustrations. This is also a fun story to encourage the sharing of predictions, as well. Will Mrs. Pickle try a new flavor? Do you think she’ll actually like it? Will she change her ways forever? This book makes for a very fun guessing game!
February 3, 2013
This is a cute rhyming story about a lady named Mrs. Pickle who is very picky and particular and does NOT like trying new things. But after a deal her niece makes with her, Mrs. Pickles discovers that by not trying new things, she has limited herself. In a way, because she discovers this by eating a different flavored ice cream than usual, this story can be helpful for parents or caregivers with picky eaters, as well as for children who may be more fearful or timid to try something new, like making friends. The rhyming nature of the story also helps builds children's phonological awareness.
I told this story in Spanish using felt artwork for a shoe- and feet-themed program for both Spanish and bilingual story times (Mrs. Pickles loves to buy shoes, but only green ones will do!). Although it didn't rhyme when I retold it, it was still a fun story.
I told this story in Spanish using felt artwork for a shoe- and feet-themed program for both Spanish and bilingual story times (Mrs. Pickles loves to buy shoes, but only green ones will do!). Although it didn't rhyme when I retold it, it was still a fun story.
March 6, 2013
Mrs. Pickle, whose story is told in rhyme with bright humorous illustrations, loves green and does not love change. She is a rather...matronly lady and it seems perfectly natural to read her lines in a stogy, snobby, matronly voice. Mrs. Pickle has a pickle mailbox, a green toaster and bakes pickle pies. Life was good for Mrs. Pickle until her youngest niece makes Mrs. P a deal she cannot refuse and she tries something new. This starts her on a quest to find out what else she has been missing by not trying new things earlier in her life. There are numerous points in the story for "audience participation" like counting all the pairs of green shoes on a two page spread in the middle of the book, and a discussion of which flavor ice cream we would choose - eggplant or tomato. My storytime audience really liked this one.
February 22, 2016
The book that I got from the library has been read by many with most of the pages taped back together and scribbles here and there. The story of Mrs. Pickle revolves around the idea that she has tried everything and will not try anything new, until her niece places a bet with her to try a new kind of ice cream. It turns out the this small act opened her eyes to see that there are things that she has been missing out on because she hasn't tried everything! Throughout the book there are silly details like Mrs. Pickle cutting(/cleaning?) her lawn with a vacuum and having her dog help her pick out her clothes. Overall I enjoyed this book because it is important to stress, to people of all ages, that its a good thing to try new things because if you don't you won't know what your missing out on!
May 10, 2011
This was a good book to read to my 4-year-old because there were things in the pictures we could talk about.
I gave him hints for things to find. For example, I asked him what he saw in one photo that was "strange" and he found pickle shaped furniture including pillows on the couch, Mrs Pickle outside mowing her lawn with a vacuum, a pickle shaped lamp, etc.
Another page has a bunch of green shoes on it but a few of them have an embellishment on so I asked my child to find the ones that were different.
Another page shows her groceries (pickle cake mix, pickle ice cream, pickle milk, pickle bread, pickle juice, and pickle soup) so I asked him to talk about each item.
Fun and funny book.
I gave him hints for things to find. For example, I asked him what he saw in one photo that was "strange" and he found pickle shaped furniture including pillows on the couch, Mrs Pickle outside mowing her lawn with a vacuum, a pickle shaped lamp, etc.
Another page has a bunch of green shoes on it but a few of them have an embellishment on so I asked my child to find the ones that were different.
Another page shows her groceries (pickle cake mix, pickle ice cream, pickle milk, pickle bread, pickle juice, and pickle soup) so I asked him to talk about each item.
Fun and funny book.
July 2, 2010
I like pickles. But I'm relieved to say not THAT much! A book I think children will enjoy. Has a little "Green Eggs and Ham" flavor (ha ha!) to it. I think a preschool group would follow it, but I can't say that's it is a fabulous choice. I'll hold on to it in case I need a filler.
6/29/10 & 7/1/10 Held attention. But it was not a "wow." Or even that much laughing. Then again, my Tue. group was extremely young and most were new faces. So that led to a lot of quiet throughout. The Thu. group made a bit more response, including the questions I asked.
6/29/10 & 7/1/10 Held attention. But it was not a "wow." Or even that much laughing. Then again, my Tue. group was extremely young and most were new faces. So that led to a lot of quiet throughout. The Thu. group made a bit more response, including the questions I asked.
April 1, 2009
Fun illustrations of Mrs. Pickle in her green dress making pickle pie in her pickle-themed house go great with the text that describes her picky picky ways. She doesn't want to try anything new until her niece pushes her to try a new flavor of ice cream. Suddenly, Mrs. Pickle discovers that she has been missing out on lots of fun things and gets out of her pickle rut.
May 30, 2015
This books made me have flashbacks to a 4th grade teacher who was, for all intents and purposes, purple.
Everything on her person, every day was either purple...or had a purple tint to it: blush, nail polish, leather coat, shoes, stockings, etc.
Even her hair was frosted and seemed to reflect a tint of purple.
Twas a bit out of hand.
Everything on her person, every day was either purple...or had a purple tint to it: blush, nail polish, leather coat, shoes, stockings, etc.
Even her hair was frosted and seemed to reflect a tint of purple.
Twas a bit out of hand.
February 19, 2015
Hilarious! Adorable! A good lesson learned, along with humorous background details, silliness, and fun. Fantastic artwork, and a delightful story in rhythmic verse. Read this out loud today to second graders, and they loved it so much, we read it twice!
August 30, 2015
My mother used to read this book to me all the time. She would read it to me to always keep my mind open that I shouldn't be as pick as Picky Mrs. Pickle. There was some rhyming through out the book and the illustrations are very good. This book is a great way to help young kids to try new things.
January 5, 2009
Very unusual and fun story about a lady who only likes the color green and will only eat green things, specifically pickles. Encourages children to try new things.
April 12, 2009
Rhyming text but not in an annoying way--actually quite fun...combined with excellent detailed pictures tell the tale of a lady who doesn't care to try anything new beyond her tried and true pickles.
January 30, 2015
We love this book. We refer to it often when someone does not want to eat something or try something new. It usually works to change their mind about it.
November 18, 2010
Cute book that teaches kids it's okay to try new things. And, of course, how could you not like a book that refers to pickles on almost every page?!!!? Just saying!
September 16, 2013
A cute rhyme about trying new things.
Currently reading
January 9, 2016I love this book and wanted to read but it would not let me can anyone help
October 13, 2012
Green! lots and lots of GREEEEEEEN!
May 6, 2015
Great read for parents with picky children.
Read
December 9, 2016Picky Mrs. Pickle won't try anything at all, unless it is pickle-flavored or green. She wears the same green outfit and goes to the same exhibit at the zoo each time she's there. However, her niece named Sophie does not approve of her not trying anything, so she offers to walk Picky Mrs. Pickles dog and shine her shoes if she will try a new flavor of ice cream. When she agrees and tries it, she loves it! She starts trying all new things and realizes a lot of things she was missing out on because she was too stubborn to try them.
I really love this book, I think it would be useful in a classroom when trying to encourage kids to try new things and also when talking about rhyming, since this book is a lot of rhyming.
I really love this book, I think it would be useful in a classroom when trying to encourage kids to try new things and also when talking about rhyming, since this book is a lot of rhyming.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews