Ugly Pie

by Lisa Wheeler

Book HardcoverPublication 7/12/2010 Reading Age 4 and Up

Genres: Picture Books, Food, Childrens, Animals, Storytime, Friendship, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 12, 2010

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this book during a food-themed storytime for Head Start preschoolers (aged 3-5). Normally I wouldn't use a book that is as long to read aloud (~5 minutes), because my kids generally just don't have the attention span to sit through a story that long, but I really loved the story so I took a chance on reading it anyway. I would say out of the 4 books I read in total, this was the biggest hit, despite it's length. My favorite part of the story is the lyrical nature of the text; it is really a pleasure to read and to listen to. The story is about Bear who has a hankering for pie, but not just any pie- Ugly Pie! Unfortunately, he only has ugly molasses, so he visits his friends/relatives for additional ingredients. I will definitely be using this in future storytimes.

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

How do you handle a hungry bear?

Give him the ingredients to make his own pie, apparently.

Meh - the story and artwork are only so-so, HOWEVER, the recipe at the back of the book sounds yummy.

http://www.mostlyhomemademom.com/2015...

[Jaime Grande · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story took me back to my childhood. I had a distant uncle who we would visit and he would make what he called ugly soup. He didn't go collecting from the neighbors but he would look to see what he had in his kitchen and it all basically ended up in a pot. Before we knew it we were eating soup. It was always pretty good soup and never the same twice. His "ugly soup".

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugly Pie by Lisa Wheeler is a truly wonderful fantasy book about Ol’ Bear who is just itchin’ for some pie- ugly pie that is! The main character is Ol’ Bear and his hankerin’ for ugly pie has gotten the best of him. He travels around the forest asking his friends and family if they have any ugly pie. But each must attest that they do not have ugly pie. Rather, each friend has some ugly old ingredient that they pass on to Ol’ Bear. Ol’ Bear accepts the gifts, but when he gets home and empties the contents of his bag on the table, he’s disappointed that he didn’t run across any ugly pie, not even a sliver of it. In fact, all he has are wrinkled raisins, some walnuts, and sour apples- yuck! But Ol’ Bear is also a smart bear. He is wise and clever, and he devises a stupendous plan to satisfy his hankerin’ for ugly pie.
Like I mentioned, Ol’ Bear is the main character of Ugly Pie and he is the sweetest bear that any child could ever imagine meeting. When each of his friends denies that they have ugly pie, Ol’ Bear is polite and accepts their response. He doesn’t complain or whine that no one can help him. When his bear friends offer him their ugly old ingredients, Ol’ Bear shows some respect and accepts them, even though they were ugly and old. Finally, when Ol’ Bear gets home, we see that he is ever so smart. He can whip up a plan in no time, and in the final scene of the story, we see Ol’ Bear being kind and caring toward his family and friends.
The setting of this story takes place in the forest that is home to all of the bears. The writing of this story does not explain the setting well at all, but the pictures show us great detail! The illustrator of this picture book is Heather Solomon and her creations show us exactly what Ol’ Bear is thinking and doing at every moment of the story. I really liked the illustrations of this book. Solomon’s artwork engages the children throughout the story by sharing details of Ol’ Bears home, his forest, his bear friends, and his other forest friends. The illustrations really add to the story, but I must give credit back to Wheeler for her writing. Ol’ Bear is constantly on the move in search for ugly pie, and each time he travels he sings a song. Though the lyrics change each time, a familiar tune can be added to the words that also keep the readers engage. There is familiarity in the story that lets young readers keep up with the pace of the story.
Beyond my absolute adoration for Ol’ Bear’s character and zeal for ugly pie, I love his country “accent.” There is no one “voice” of the book because each character speaks at different times and the narrator is the voice of the reader; however, all of the words have that country vibe to them. For example, “‘That sure is one plump and pleasin’ pie,’ Ol’ Bear said. ‘But I’m just itchin’-truly itchin’- for some ugly pie’” (Wheeler, 5). This voice that the story is read in adds a lot of flair and character to the book.
Ugly Pie can be purchased on Amazon for $6.80 and is appropriate for children ages 3-6. It was published by the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company in 2010, and its ISBN is 978-0-15-216754-7. I would recommend this book for parents of young children; teachers who want to teach about recipes (provided in the back), alliteration, or rhyme; and to young readers who want a sing-along book to motivate their reading experiences.

[Peggy Gay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audience: primary
Genre: Fantasy picture book
Per-reading strategy: Word Wall. I would use this strategy because the story has many good vocabulary words and repeats them offering practice. Also there are several slang phrases to investigate, phrases like "hitch of his britches" "Ol' Bear" and "I'm just itchin' - truly itchin' for some Ugly Pie".
Start out with five words on a wall or blank space. I would begin with Pie, Kitchen, Hope, Walked and Sniff. Before reading discuss the words with the class. Then give each student a card so they may choose a word from the story to add to the word wall.

[Kathleen Ferrel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Children grades 1st through 5th will get a thrill when reading this creative story about a bear in search of "Ugly Pie". Younger elementary grades will love the repetition of each pie that is introduced to the bear as he searches for his Ugly Pie. Children will also enjoy singing along with the bear as he chants songs throughout the book in search of his Ugly Pie. This book will guarantee anyone who reads it a great adventure! Ugly Pie

[Rosa Cline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't help but fall in love with this book as I read it out loud to my adult special needs son. He liked it as well. It caught his attention and kept it throughout the book. The illustrations were just as great.

Bear had a craving for a certain pie and went to his neighbors each neighbor gave him something out of their kitchen and when he got home he made his 'ugly' pie that he was craving. And at the back of the book they give you the recipe so you can make that same pie.

[Christine Garrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this for storytime in my southern accent and wait for children to chime in with “Ugly Pie!” It’s a crowd-pleaser.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bear has a yen to eat some Ugly Pie. He sets out to visit his neighbors and they each give him some ugly food they have. He gets home and makes the most beautiful Ugly Pie ever and is thrilled to share it with everyone. Fun rhyming text.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lyrical and fun, this book has a message of sharing and friendship, with a tasty-looking recipe in the back! The illustrations are bright and fun and this is a great addition to a bear or food themed story time.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books that is just plain fun to read out loud! The language and writing, with its repetitive elements, lends itself to lots of interaction between the reader and listener. Plus it has a great message about friendship and sharing.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry, the artwork and bad grammar just don't appeal to me. I do like the idea of salvaging imperfect perishable foods and making something yummy (if completely unhealthful) out of them.

(Make a 'crisp' instead of a crust + a topping, and use less sugar.)

[Elizabeth Prows · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fun book about an Ol’ bear and his journey to find some ugly pie. This book as a bunch of cute saying and fun illustrations that would keep a child engaged in the journey and search for the ingredients.

[Liz Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book that is just begging for music to be added! Sweet little story but I really loved the recipe at the end. :)

[Mrs Heet -Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story had a simple old fashion feel to it complete with a bit of song and recipe at the back.

[Natalie Neiffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so cute! The bear goes to search for an ugly pie and ends up making one for himself with the ingredients he got from others! I want pie now.

[Michaela]

Audience: Primary

Genre: Picture Book-Fantasy

Pre-Reading Strategy: Shared Reading

Okay, Class. Today we are going to be reading "Ugly Pie" by Lisa Wheeler and illustrated by Heather Solomon. Before we start let's take a look at the cover. Does anyone have any idea what this story is going to be about? What do you think "Ugly Pie" means?

*Read story aloud*
Pg. 1 Does anyone know what "hankerin'" means? Do you think Ol' Bear is going to make a pie? What kind of pie?

Pg. 2-3 What do you think is in ugly pie? Who's house are they at? Does he have any ugly pie? What kind of pie do you think Grampa has?

Pg. 4-5 What ingredients does Ol' Bear have so far? Did Ol' Bear want the pumpkin pie?

Pg. 6-7 Now where is Ol'Bear? Do you think she will have ugly pie?

Pg. 8-9 What type of pie did Ma Hickory have? Did Ol'Bear want that? What did Ma Hickory give Ol'Bear? What all does he have now?

Pg. 10-11 Now who's house is Ol'Bear at? Any ugly pie there?

Pg. 12-13 What type of pie did Sweet Cicely have? What ugly thing did Sweet Cicely give Ol'Bear? Can you name all the ingredients Ol'Bear has now?

Pg. 14-15 Oh no..Do you think Ol'Bear will get his ugly pie?

Pg. 16-17 Can Ol'Bear do anything with all his ugly things? What do you think his idea is?

Pg. 18-19 What's he going to do?!

Pg. 20-21 Did he get his ugly pie?

Pg. 22-23 Who all showed up? Where have we seen them before? What do they smell?

Pg. 24-25 What did all those neighbors do? What was in the pie? Who made the pie?

Pg. 26-27 Does ugly pie sound very ugly? Would you eat ugly pie?

*after reading*
Did you guys like this book? What was your favorite part? How did Ol'Bear make his ugly pie?
Do you have any questions?
Have any of you made a pie before? What about ugly pie?
Have you ever been in a similar situation? If so what?

Can any of you tell me what happened in this story in your own words?

*Reread story and/or independent reading*

Pg. 1

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audience: Primary ages 4-8
Genre: Fiction
Format: Picture Book
Pre-Reading Strategy: Visual Imagery

I like this strategy because it encourages the students to visualize what is being read as they look at the pictures and hear the words. It helps the students to live the book. The visual imagery strategy also allows students to process what is being read by pausing and thinking about what they read.

I would begin reading the first page of the book, and then stop to discuss what is going on in the picture and what words stick out to them. (Ugly Pie, kitchen, molasses, hankerin')
We would then use that information to create a prediction of what may happen in the story. Continue reading until Ol'Bear visits Grampa Grizzle's house. Discuss any new images that come to mind about Ugly Pie or what we can see, hear, feel, touch and taste from the passage. Begin reading again and this time read further into the book stopping after Ol'Bear visits Sweet Cicely. Discuss what is happening in the story along with what they can see, hear, feel, touch, and taste from the passage. Continue reading until the end of the story. Ask the students What was in Ugly Pie? If they could make an Ugly Pie what would it taste like? What ingredients would they like to put in their pie?

There is a recipe in the back of the book for Ugly Pie. I would make the pie and let the students experience what Ugly Pie tastes like and see if they too have a hankerin' for Ugly Pie.


Reference: Visual imagery. (2013, July 6). Retrieved from http://www.readingrockets.org/strateg...

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

“If you love to eat pie, give me a belly rub and say “My-oh-my.” Well, Ol’ Bear loves pie too, but today he is in the mood for a special pie. Raise your hand if you have a favorite kind of pie. We are going to make a graph of everyone’s favorite pie. I will start with apple pie, if your favorite pie is apple pie raise your hand. Next, cherry pie, who loves cherry pie? I love cherry pie, so I’m going to add Mrs. Pekarsky to the cherry list. Raise your hand if you like pumpkin pie? If your favorite pie is not on the list raise your hand and I will add it on. Wow! It looks like the majority of the class likes_____ pie. Now, who is curious about what kind of pie Ol’ Bear is searching for? (Show front cover of book) Ol’ Bear is looking for some “Ugly Pie.” Raise your hand if you have ever heard of ugly pie. I sure haven’t heard of ugly pie, but now I want to know what it is. Let’s get started, while I’m reading I want you to listen for the ingredients in the “Ugly Pie.”

First, I engaged the students by asking them to rub their bellies and say “My-oh-my,” which is a phrase that Ol’ bear uses throughout the book. Next, I introduced the main character Ol’ bear and the students already had a connection with Ol’ Bear (loving pie). Next, I would make a smart chart of a simple graph reflecting the class’ favorite types of pie. Then I would share with them Ol’ Bear’s favorite type of pie, and ask if the students like Ugly pie. Lastly, I would set the purpose for reading, which is to listen for the ingredients that are used in Ol’ Bear’s Ugly Pie.

[Vanessa Kirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audience: The audience in this book is Primary elementary students. I would say anywhere from first through third grade students would love this book.

Appeal: I think this book would best appeal to students from first through third grade because it is a very fun book. It involves adventure to different houses along with baking fun pies. I know they would love the recipe given at the end of the book to make an ugly pie. I could give them the recipe to take home to bake a pie with their parents.

Application: Depending on the grade, I could use this book to go over measuring by using the recipe in the back of the book. I also could teach the kids that it is okay to ask for things when you don't have them, and it is great to share with those around you. The bear asked his neighbors for some ugly pie and in return they gave him different ingredients like raisins, apples, walnuts, etc. He then decided to make the pie and share it with all of his neighbors.

Award List: Nebraska Golden Sower Award

Copyright: 2010

[Hayley Zamzow-Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I’m just itchin’-truly itchin’- for some ugly pie." Ugly pie? Yes, ugly pie. Ol' Bear starts out his day in Ugly Pie by Lisa Wheeler with a "hankerin'" for ugly pie. What is ugly pie you ask? Well, it is the exact opposite of the pretty, sweet pies normal people yearn for. He sets out to find some ugly pie. Sadly he doesn't encounter any. But, as he approaches each of his friends, they at least give him some ugly, old ingredient they do not need. Very polite and adorable, Ol' Bear eventually gets an idea that will surely satisfy his rumbling tummy needs.

I found this book both adorable and stimulating! It has chances for singing and developing creative southern accents. The lovely illustrations by Heather Solomon depict an adorable main character (Ol' Bear) and the woods he resides in. Lisa Wheeler is a truly vibrant author. Her love for cartoons, the color yellow, and daisies shines through in each of her playful books.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audience: The target age range for this book is kindergarten through third grade. The story is simple enough for kindergarteners to understand, and the ingredient list on the back cover is something that would interest the older kids.

Appeal: This book is filled with colorful illustrations and a sing-song rhyme which makes it a great choice for the lower primary group.

Application: I would use it during our class meeting time where we talk about a specific topic (in this case, kindness) for a specified amount of time. The kindness of Ol' Bears neighbors helped him bake the wonderful (albeit ugly) pie and they all get to enjoy it at the end due to their kindness and generosity. I also plan on baking the pie and sharing it with the kids.

Awards: Golden Sower Nominee 2012-2013

Ugly Pie

[Ashley Steffen]

Audience: This book could be read to boys or girls. Since there is a recipe to make in the back, it could be good to use to show boys that they can bake, too. This would probably be best to read to first or second grade children. The story line is pretty simple and easy for young students to follow along.
Appeal: This book has rhyming throughout and a "sing-song" flow to it. It's very colorful and the drawings in it are humorous for children.
Application: I could use this book to introduce the students to new vocabulary. There are words like aroma, sigh, and ruby that students may not know yet. Also, the way the characters in this book talk is different than the typical way of writing. We could discuss how the apostrophe is used to show abbreviations and different dialects or ways to read the story. If we had the resources, we could also have an activity of making the recipe for ugly pie in the back of the book.
This book is from the 2012-2013 Nebraska Golden Sower Awards List.

[Shelli Holechek]

Ugly Pie
Author: Lisa Wheeler
Illustrator: Heather Solomon
Ugly Pie is a truly enjoyable, rhyming book for lower elementary grades. Ol’ Bear, the main character, takes off on a hunt for ingredients to make his ugly pie that he has been craving. With a little help from his friends he finds everything he needs for his ugly pie. And when you have finished the book, you too can make some ugly pie, as the recipe is listed in the back of the book.
Opening Moves:
1. Show cover of the book, identify author and illustrator. “Something really fun is happening in this story. What do you think Ol’ Bear is doing?”
2. “What do you think the ingredients in Ugly Pie could be?”
3. “ Based on the book cover do you think this book is fiction or non-fiction?”
The above opening moves:
1. Engage the class
2. Raise the question, "What is ugly pie?"
3. Has students looking at illustrations and beginning to think about genre.

[Leigh Anne]

Audience: This book is from the Nebraska Golden Sower Awards list. It's great for children in kindergarten-3rd grade.

Appeal: The book is very colorful, full of great pictures to help illustrate the story. Also, with the recipe at the end of the book, it adds another element to draw kids into the story. There's also a natural sing-songy feel to this book, which makes the story flow nicely.

Application: I like this book as a aid to match image to everyday language such as "apple" with a page full of apples, or "slumped" with a picture of the bear slouching over the table. Also, using the recipe, it could be a good math lesson to make sure the pie turns out correctly. The story depicts manners that kids should use also, which makes great social skill lessons.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ol' Bear decides that he wants some ugly pie and so he sets off to find one. The plot is kind of a stone soup in reverse; everyone gives what they happen to have and Ol' Bear makes an ugly pie to share.

This is a wonderful read aloud and younger readers will love the rhymes, rhythm, and repetition. The illustrations have a charming folksy, country feel to it. As much as I love the read aloud potential of the book, I don't think that it's one that stands up as well for independent reading. Perhaps a picky point, but it's how I feel about the book as a whole. Recommended for kindergarten and grade 1, older students may enjoy it as well.

[Joselyn Whitney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Golden Sower
Audience: I think that this book would be good for students in grade Pre-K-1st or 2nd because I think that a book like this can reach the younger audience because of the songs like pages. The younger children love to sing songs and they are able to be entertained by the rhyme and rhythm in this book.
Appeal: This book is great because you can mold and shape it into what you want it to be. You can turn the words into songs or you can have reading buddies Read Aloud together. The book captures its audience because it adds what children love (gross and yucky stuff) but presents it in a fun way so that you are not too grossed out as the teacher.

[Creising · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audience – This book could be used for K-3rd graders. It is simple enough and short enough for the younger kids but also complex enough for the older students.

Appeal – Students would like this book because of the repetition that they could join in on, the pictures, and of course all the funny/ugly ingredients that are used for the pie.

Application – You could use this in the classroom by having the students make their own list of ingredients that they would put in their pie. You could also use this on a friendship/citizen lesson because of how the neighbors worked together.

Award List – Golden Sower Nominee 2012-2013

[Katie Williams]

A bear hsa a hankering for ugly pie but unfortunately has no ingredients ugly enough to make his pie. So he sets out to see what his neighbors are baking and if they have anything ugly enough to use to make his pie. At the end of the book, there is a recipe to make some ugly pie. A fun little cooking experiment could take place after reading this book. Students would be given measuring tools, ingredients, and instructions to make ugly pie. Also, students could engage in creative writing by making up their own ingredients and measurements for ugly pie.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

State Award Book

Audience: Ages 4 and up, all genders and backgrounds
Appeal: This book would appeal to kids that like food (that's everyone, right!), those interested in animal-based stories, kids that enjoy song and rhyme. The Southern dialect might make some students a little confused, but usually most get the hang of that sort of thing pretty quick.
Application: I would use this book to help demonstrate visual imagery with my students.
Award List: 2012-2013 Nebraska Golden Sower Award Nominee