Skipper John's Cook

by Marcia Brown

A boy becomes cook aboard a fishing boat. You can find an online copy of this hard-to-find book here: digital.library.upenn.edu/women/brown...

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

30 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1951

About the author

An American children's book author and illustrator, and a high school teacher, Marcia Brown was born in Rochester, New York in 1918, and was educated at The New York State College for Teachers (now University at Albany). She taught at Cornwall High School in New York City, and published her first book, The Little Carousel, in 1946. She wrote and illustrated more than thirty books for children over the course of her career, winning three Caldecott Medals and six Caldecott Honors, as well as the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal and the Regina Medal. She died in 2015.

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Si had a dog named George. George enjoyed Si’s cooking fish. There was a fishing boat whose crew was tired of beans so they hired a cook who could cook something else. Si got the job and off he and George went on a fishing boat. Si cooked fish day and night. Still, the crew got tired of fish so he cooked fish and beans.

This was a cute little book. I thought it was a bit long, but I enjoyed the story. Marcia Brown is talented. I was not able to get this at our library or through our ILL system. I was online looking for the title and I found this on the University of Pennsylvania page as a full text for free. So, I was able to read the book. Lucky me. It would be nice if they put all those old, hard to get Caldecott books free online because they are not at libraries. I still need Seven Simeons.

Anyway, the kids haven’t seen this one. I don’t know if they would like it or not, honestly. Maybe, but I have my doubts. Well, one day, they can find out for themselves.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story, about a young boy named Si who becomes the cook for a fishing boat simply because he knows how to make something other than beans, is one of the more charming older Caldecott honorees. I think all kids love to imagine themselves in positions of importance, where they can do what no one else can, and this story indulges every aspiring sea captain’s fantasies. Marcia Brown’s illustrations are very kid-friendly, and my favorite is this one where Si’s mother waves goodbye to him. The shawl she wears has this great texture, which contrasts with the texture of the fishing nets and the rolling of the waves beneath the boat. I also loved the ending of the book, which finds Skipper John once again in need of a cook. Kids can easily pick up on that dangling thread and retell the story again using a different character and a different food.

[Robert Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read it here for free>>> http://digital.library.upenn.edu/wome...

A boy named Si (I don't know if it is pronounced "sea" or "sigh") becomes cook aboard a fishing boat, whose crew is tired of eating nothing but beans...

"beans in the morning
beans at noon
beans at night
and in between – BEANS!"

The crew is delighted not to be served beans anymore, but how long will their joy last?

A pleasant little story, with a dollop of adventure that little boys will appreciate, and little girls as well, why not?

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute story with charming illustrations. Beans, beans, beans! The Liberty Belle needs a cook so they have something else to eat! Si fries fish, but will that be enough?

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must say that I have fallen in love with Marcia Brown while reading for my Caldecott Challenge, though this is not one of my favorite of her books, it was a cute story. Si and his dog George live by the sea, and Si’s best friend is Skipper John of the ship, the Liberty Belle. The crew of the ship refuse to leave port until John has gotten a new cook. They are sick of beans and that is all they ever eat while at sea. So Skipper John puts up an ad for a new cook, and they hire Si because his dog looks well fed. The only problem is Si can only cook fish and beans. When they get back to port, Skipper John starts looking for another cook. This book won a 1952 Caldecott Honor. Recommended for ages 3-8, 3 stars.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good companion with Brown's Henry Fisherman. Young Si and his dog George join a fishing boat crew as their cook and off they go. Brown's use of light brush strokes (along with several other techniques) to added a little color and texture to each page makes this an easy book to look at. While the story isn't outstanding or closing with a clever ending, I think it would hold the attention of young listeners or readers if they're not demanding a sophisticated and action-packed narrative. This book's cover is commanding.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

1952 Caldecott Honor

Ink lines and maybe crayon or paint in red, yellow, and blue.

This is a fun story about Si and his dog George. Due to Si's friendship with Skipper John, Si comes aboard a fishing boat as a cook. The men are tired of beans for every meal, so Si uses his skills to make them... fish and beans at every meal! At first they're satisfied, but by the end of the voyage, Skipper John is looking for another cook.

[Maria Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

• 1952 Caldecott Honor Book •

This is really cute! I love the ending. I’m so happy I have learned about Marcia Brown through reading the Caldecott books. She’s quickly becoming one of my favorite children’s writers / illustrators. Very charming book!

Materials used: unlisted
Typeface used: unlisted

[Timothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun story about a little boy who becomes the cook on a ship, but all he knows how to make is fish! Brown is able to do a lot with a limited color pallet. The artwork is good, not great; however I really like the facial expressions of the disgruntled sailors at the beginning of the book.

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun; great ending too.
Caldecott honor

[Lafcadio · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping for something different from the ending. Growth, maybe?

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much of a plot here, but overall enjoyable.

[Brindi Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

1952 Caldecott Honor

I remember reading this book when I was a little girl, and I thought the illustrations were wonderful. They still are!

[Seema Rao · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming book with nice text about a boy’s time as a ship’s cook. Love the mid-century illustrations by Marcia Brown.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite sure why this book is so underrated. I enjoyed the pictures and story.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skipper John's crew on his ship, the Liberty Belle, are tired of only eating beans. He hires a young boy named Si as cook for the crew after seeing that his dog, George, is well fed. However, it turns out, Si only knows how to make fish. The story is a bit long, but funny. I really enjoy Marcia Brown's great illustrations.

[Lorna · Rating 3 out of 5]

1952 Caldecott Honor

Favorite line: "So everyday on the Liberty Bell it was
beans in the morning,
beans at noon,
beans at night,
and in between-beans!"

Favorite illustration: The boy's mother wishing him off at the dock.

Kid-appeal today: I liked that this had a nice balance of text/white space/illustrations. It felt like a storybook you could still share today, without the readers or audience getting restless.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute book. Si signs up to be the cook on board a ship. Their last cook cooked only beans, so they want a new cook! Si cooks fish... and fish... and more fish! By the end up the trip, the captain puts up another "Cook Wanted" sign 😄

I enjoyed both the story and the pictures.