Potatoes, Potatoes

by Anita Lobel

There was once an old woman who had a potato farm and two hardworking, loving sons. But one day one son ran away to the army of the east; the other son joined the army of the west. Caldecott Honor artist Anita Lobel tells a powerful story of two brothers who become enemies at war, and their wise mother whose cleverness turns fighting into peace. A new, full-color edition of the timely and timeless tale Potatoes, Potatoes.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1984

About the author

Anita Lobel is an illustrator of children's books. Her memoir that depicts her childhood of flight and imprisonment in Nazi-occupied Poland, ''No Pretty Pictures'' was a finalist for the National Book Award.

She has also received the Caldecott Honor Medal.

Reviews

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

The jacket flap on this title says it is a timely as well as a timeless story and indeed it is. Using a peasant mother with two sons we see the issue of conflict/war through the lens of two brothers who choose opposing sides. Label captures so well it is the lower social economic groups fighting the conflicts, how the soldiers on opposing sides think of home and their mothers, and how ultimately both groups are desperate for food and the connection of home.
The illustrations are absolutely stunning. Lobel’s illustrations are extremely detailed with miniature details. Lobel brings forth the beautiful designs and colors of her native Poland in these illustrations executed in a flawless manner. The time to create these had to be extensive. Long ago I was privileged to attend a very small children’s literature conference where Anita Lobel and her husband Arnold were both one of the featured presenters, what a joy to encounter her titles later in life and continue to enjoy the beautiful art work.

[Vassiliadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Το γεγονός οτι ένα βιβλίο από το 1973 επανεκδιδεται, κάτι σημαίνει. Το αγόρασα ως ένα από τα προτεινόμενα του Υπουργείου Παιδείας για μαθητές της πρώτης Δημοτικού. Δεν νομίζω πως έχει γραφτεί ωραιότερη αντιπολεμική ιστορία. Καταπληκτική εικονογράφηση, εύκολη γλώσσα για τα παιδιά, νοήματα πανανθρώπινα. Ο γιός μου από την πρώτη Δημοτικού που το διάβασε, εξακολουθεί να το θεωρεί ένα από τα αγαπημένα του

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who says potatoes can't stop war? In this story, a poor mother has two sons who she tries to shield for the war waging around them, but in the end they both head off to be soldiers. As fate would have it, they rise to ranks of command - each in an opposing army. Finally, they clash over the very potato field their mother tended when they were children. In the end, all is made right when all the mothers and their soldier sons are reunited.

Love Anita Lobel's illustrations.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My boys had lots of questions after we read this book. I found it a great conversation starter on the topic of war—a topic I find very difficult to discuss with my boys. But we cannot escape the news these days, so it has become a topic they struggle with.

[Hapzydeco · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture book’s setting is old Europe. What is the purpose for a wall? Can a wall really do what it is built to do?

[Lumi / Otso · Rating 3 out of 5]

too advanced for now. my daughter (4 years) said "this is a sad book, isn't it?"