Pickle Things

by Marc Brown

Describes, in rhymed text and illustrations, all the many things that a pickle isn't.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Food, Humor, Poetry

45 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Marc 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.

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Book Crush! I LOVE this silly story. This is pure silliness and it brings me joy.

It's a short beginning book about all the things pickles are not. It's told in rhyme, so that right there sets my heart pitter patter. The artwork is funny and the whole whimsical idea brings joy to me.

Pickle hair, pickle toes. Each picture was more a surprise. Pure nonsense in the best Alice in Wonderland vibe.

I did read this thing to my Nephew and he went gaga over this book. He loves pickles. He will come up to you and out of nowhere ask for a pickle. It's hilarious how he does it. Anyway, He laughed and laughed at this goofy thing. It talks about Pickle pie and pickle cake and he wants to try to make both of them and eat them. His mother has already said NO, so won't do it. He might be able to wear her down and she'll try. I can see it happening. We had to read this through 2 times before he would go to bed and then he read it to his sister and Niece thought this was hilarious too. Nephew gave this 5 stars and he wants to own the book. He had his dad go on Amazon and put it on his want list. Niece gave it 4 stars which is high praise from her.

It's a gem from the past.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do things ever just magically appear from your past after years long forgotten? WELL, PICKLE THINGS DID. I was just gazing at some children's books for my friend's upcoming baby and imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon this great classic - because I mean, despite the fact it has less than 300 ratings on Goodreads, IT IS A CLASSIC WITH ALL ITS RANDOM PICKLE THINGS.

I will admit, I totally had forgotten this was a thing. I mean, how does one forgot such quality like pickle ears and pickle boats, but I did. It brought me such joy as a child, and reading this just last week brought back the feels of sitting in my grandma's office, listening to that horrible bird clock, and hiding from going outside - but reading this book. The art was great, and even though it really doesn't make much sense, it was still so much fun. If you're a pickle fan, such a quality book for all things pickles. And if you're not, I mean, it's worth a laugh since it's kind of absurd - in the best possible way?

5 forever crowns! And an end to whatever weirdness this was appearing on your newsfeed. I AM SORRY.

[Adrienne Blaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a 1980 copy of this book with a woman on the cover with a pickle nose. It is a beloved copy that was drawn all over by my cousin before it came to me. Pickle mania is upon us in the 2020s, we not only eat them but we also have pickle ball and pickle merch, which is one of the things Marc Brown got wrong when he wrote, “Pickle things you never buy … A pickle ball, a pickle hat.” Please see Grillo’s Pickles merch if you don’t believe me. Love this book and love pickles.

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Ogle gave me this pickle treat. He said his kids loved it when they were my kids age, so I read it to them twice tonight. They loved it.

Now I just have to let them try pickles. I bet they're glad there's not a "Tripe Things" book.

[Beverly Kennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very silly book to read with young children! It imagines what things would be like if they were made of pickles. I read it every year to my Kindergarten classes and my First Grade classes and it was guaranteed fun and laughs! It could spark some very creative writing or illustrations.

[Cadie Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most important piece of literature to ever grace this earth. Beautifully written, had me on the edge of my seat, not a single twist or turn was expected and the ending blew my mind! Incredible perspective, have never thought of it like this before.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pickle Things is my all-time favorite children's book. The rhyme is fun, silly and can be used to entice children to use their imaginations to think of other things the pickle can do. It starts with, "Pickle thing you never see, like pickles on a Christmas tree." One of my classes decorated our classroom tree with all pickle ornaments that the children designed and then when winter vacation came they could take their ornaments home. The children came up with the idea of how they wanted to decorate the tree. Each time we read this fun book the children sit and giggle all the way to the end and often my preschoolers will act out parts of the book during free play time, which is a sign of the development of higher level thinking skills and pre-reading skills.

[Jennifer Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my all time favorite children's book. I would read this hours, over and over again. This is a very whimsical book about strange things that would never be made out of pickles. This book brings pickles alive with silly illustrations of pickles doing different activities or objects made out of pickles. As a child the rhyming captivated my attention and made me want to read it time and time again. This is a good book for children to learn rhyming and to just read as an entertainment story. this is not a very high level reading book, however it is perfect for young children. I think teachers could use this book for creative unique writing projects. Simple, yet entertaining.

[Judith Gonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

My oldest daughter memorized this when she was three and pretended to read it to my younger daughter. The cute illustrations prompted her memory as she made it through the whole book each evening. I can still hear her adorable inflections: "you never see a pickle wa-alk, you never hear a pickle ta-alk." Sheer joy and laughs for little ones. We still have our original coverless and dog-earred copy. Best early kids' book!

[Tara McKenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is cute and hilarious. Its about strange things that would never be made out of pickles. This book brings pickles alive with silly illustrations. This book has some rhyming in it and would be a great fit for young children.

This book could be used for creative writing projects or to help younger children get in the mind set of rhyming.

Its just silly and children would get a kick out of it.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book when I was little (that explains why I loved to make jokes with pickles in them when I was younger lol). I was sad to learn a couple of months ago, after watching an old tape of my grandparents read this book to me, that my mom had gotten rid of it sometime in the past 10 years :*(

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my absolutely favorite childhood books. It makes no sense but I can still remember giggling to myself every time I read it. I used to just love the "pickle nose" page. It's silly fun.

[Em Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one, if not the, first book I ever remember read to me and reading by myself. It's funny and cute and adorable and very memorable and if it wasn't so much freaking money to buy one, I'd get it.

[Jamie Tedesco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, mostly because my mom read it too me a lot when I was little because I was obsessed with pickles. I just think the story is funny and can get a chuckle out of any child. Pickle nose and pickle toes!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book when I was a kid. I even took it to college with me for safe keeping. It has a fun rhyming scheme all about what NOT to do with a pickle and it really grabs your attention when you read it.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What child would not love Pickle Things? It is delightful, funny, rhymes and in my opinion the best book Marc Brown has written. My daughter shared this book with me and I laughed from the start to the end. I guess I am a 95 year old child still enjoying children's books.

[Taija · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only came across this book because one of the little boys I nannied for, wanted it read to him everyday, sometimes up to five times a day. We got to the point where we had it memorized, and yet never got sick of it. Definitely a fun read!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good. I can still recite it.

[Denicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

for some odd reason this was the first book I was addicted to and I had to read it every nite before i went to bed.

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

My childhood favorite book. Had to put this up.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book to my daughters a zillion times, they loved it and still remember it with fondness.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite childrens book. I love pickles, and found it so cute and well drawn :)

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I use to love pickles so much that I too wish that my mothers car would turn into a pickle. Note: when I was a kid. ha ha ha

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous children's book. So good in fact, that I remember it from when I was a young child. I'd like to find a copy for my kids (when I eventually have them).

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

very cute rhyming book for kids to teach phonemic awareness.

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't wait for my pickle storytime and this book holds a place in it. Fun title shows all the things that pickles are not.

[Holly Yuhnke · Rating 5 out of 5]

a silly book for pickle lovers (my daughter and I love dill pickles). I will actually pick up this humorous book when feeling down, and it always gives me a chuckle or two!

[Susan S.C.C.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A family favorite thanks to my daughter Kimberly's LOVE of this book and... pickles!!

[Raven Black · Rating 1 out of 5]

There is nothing redeeming about it. It's weird. There is nothing funny.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Pickle things is a really really good book. There’s pickles on the front cover. It’s also really silly and really fun. People who love pickles should read this book. And now it’s making me hungry right now.”

Beverly age 5