Bear Goes Sugaring

Bear

by Maxwell Eaton III

Learn how to make syrup the old fashioned way with the help of a friendly bear and her amusingly unhelpful accomplices Dog and Squirrel in this informative comics-style picture book, now available in paperback.

Did you know that it takes forty gallons of sap to make one gallon of maple syrup? "How many pancakes can I eat with that gallon?" wonders Dog.

Every step of the process of making maple syrup is covered in this sweet (but never saccharine) informational picture book by Maxwell Eaton III, the creator of the popular "Truth About" series. It begins with Bear assembling the tools she'll need for the project, continues with a discussion of the types of maples found in the area and why sugar maples are best for tapping, then on to drilling, tapping, evaporation and at the end of the process, real maple syrup and best of all, PANCAKES!

Along the way there are hilarious asides from increasingly ravenous Dog and Squirrel, making this a book as funny as it is informative. Helpful back matter and suggestions for further reading complete the package.

Praise for Bear Goes

A Junior Library Guild Selection

★ "Even as Eaton folds in lots of information, diagrams, and solid vocabulary ('spiles,' 'brace,' 'sugarbush'), the antics of Bear's two sidekicks—Squirrel and Dog—will keep readers in stitches and turning pages and learning a lot about the process of maple sugaring. . . . Readers are sure to request both rereads and pancakes. . . and maybe a few spiles and buckets of their own."— Kirkus Reviews , Starred Review

★ "Watercolor and pencil illustrations by Eaton (the Truth About series) illustrations have a cheery, get-’er-done orderliness, efficiently conveying a wealth of information with comics-style panels, cinematic framing, text callouts, and just the right number of comic asides from Bear’s peanut gallery." — Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Food, Childrens, Nature, Animals, Humor

32 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2022

About the author

Maxwell Eaton III is the critically acclaimed author and illustrator of dozens of outdoor adventure-based picture books and comics for young readers. All of Maxwell’s books are informed by a life led outdoors in the mountains and on the water. He is passionate about sharing his love for the natural world with young people and empowers them to get outside; make and do with their own hands; to think and act with calm and collected minds; and to maintain perspective and humor. He skis, paddles, and writes in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State.

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very thorough and informative look at the maple sugaring process presented in a fun and engaging format. The bases are all covered so well that I feel like I could use just this children's book to start a new hobby of maple syrup production!

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun filled fact book by Maxwell Eaton! I learned so much from this book; it is really fascinating how we get maple syrup! But I have to confess: if you 'use' maple syrup it kind of makes you a 'maplepire' right? I mean that is what they would say if they could put the idea into words - right?

[Books on Stereo · Rating 1 out of 5]

An oddly didactic account of making syrup that neither fun nor interesting.

[Kate prefers books to people · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure what age group this book is actually designed for-- maybe 4th grade? We ended up with it at the library after my preschooler pitched an epic fit for it and I caved. He thought it was a king teddy bear.

I read it aloud over their breakfast (which of course included a taste test so they could compare regular syrup to actual maple syrup). We talked about parts of trees (heart wood, xylem, inner and outer bark), temperatures, months when you can tap maples, what a maple is, where they grow, evaporation....... this book has a lot of information and I kind of skipped here and there and just read what I wanted to. It made for a cool learning morning with multiple ages.

[Abby Johnson]

A fun, cartoony look at where maple syrup comes from, this nonfiction picture book goes through all the details, from how does the sap get into the trees to the finishing steps to creating perfect maple syrup. I live in maple syrup territory here in Indiana and a local farm holds a Maple Syrup Festival each winter. This would make a perfect book to read before visiting and purchasing your local maple syrup. Or just pair it with a stack of pancakes.

[Barbra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give five stars for covering everything there is to know about sugaring. Although I think this would be a bit much for a 5 year old to comprehend or even stay interested in, I think it is an excellent book for older readers, grade five and up who study the science of trees. Pleasantly formatted in graphic novel style, its bright illustrations and simple text make it a fun read.

[Joan Arbogast · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author, illustrator Maxwell Eaton III creates a clever way to teach young readers about maple sugaring and does it with likable animal characters and humor!

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Want to know how maple syrup is made? Look no further than this book!

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent pictorial non-fiction book on maple syrup production. A hardy bear notices the perfect temperatures in late winter/early spring and begins tapping her trees. The whole process is described in steps which incorporate science and advice for those who want to try it on their own. The details cover everything related to the job, from air temperature, to what kind of equipment is necessary, a run-down of different genera of maple trees, how the trees produce the sap, and all about the many steps it takes to make the sap into syrup. Little nerds will love the many technical terms and talk of equipment. Squirrel and dog are the comic Greek chorus in each opening, commenting on her work and trying to remind her that they’re hungry for pancakes and syrup. The delightful watercolor art describes the process with detail and humor, in comic book style panels and using speech bubbles. A note at the end explains the ecological and human importance of making syrup, and there’s a short list of materials for further reading. It really comes across that the author/illustrator loves his subject – I think this makes the book a really appealing source for kids and families seeking more information about this quintessential New England practice.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bear Goes Sugaring by Maxwell Eaton III. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Neal Porter (Holiday House), 2019. 9780823444489

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Spring is starting to appear on the horizon, so Bear knows this is the perfect time to start tapping her sugar maples to harvest and boil down her very own maple syrup.

Eaton takes his talent for nonfiction which he honed on animals and applies it to the sugaring process. Even if you don’t live in the maple syrup territory your students will enjoy this.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Join Bear as she goes through the process of making maple syrup. Joined by her friends, Fox and Squirrel, who are desperate for pancakes, Bear begins by getting her tools ready. Both Squirrel and Fox don’t really help much, offering a lot of side comments and once knocking a hole in one of the buckets. That hole though gives Bear a chance to show readers that all sorts of containers can be used to catch the sap as it drips from the trees. Readers will learn about the type of maple used for syrup making, about the tools used, and then the process of boiling down the sap into maple syrup. Bear does this outside with an open fire and a lot of patience. The end result is sweet, particularly for the impatient pair who have joined Bear throughout the book.

Eaton excels at making nonfiction subjects jovial and great fun. His use of Squirrel and Fox to offer comical asides makes the book great fun to read. Bear herself is knowledgeable and unflappable as she reacts patiently to her friends and buckets with new holes. The information shared here is fascinating and delivered in a way that allows readers to really understand things like why sugar maples are the best for syrup and how many gallons of sap it takes to make a gallon of maple syrup (40!)

The illustrations are bold and colorful, inviting readers into the woods with Bear and showing in detail what the steps are to making maple syrup. Squirrel and Fox peek out from various places on the page, offering their opinions on what is happening.

Funny and factual, this picture book is not syrupy at all. Appropriate for ages 4-6.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is a 3.5 for me. Although I didn't enjoy it quite as much as Eaton's Truth About series, I still found all the details about the maple sugaring process fascinating. The lively watercolor and pencil illustrations that resemble a comic book style keep readers engaged as they move through the pages and note the many steps in this process. I'm sure many of them can relate to Dog and Squirrel's constant quips and annoying observations and questions even as Bear patiently trusts the process. Although I never went through the entire process described here, I can remember my father taking me outside when days were starting to get slightly warmer and show me how to tap into one of our sugar maple trees, which made reading this book rather nostalgic for me. Not only does the author describe the equipment needed to create this delicious syrup, but he also highlights the types of trees ideal for doing so. While it might seem needlessly time-consuming to follow all the steps described here, there is nothing quite as delicious as something lovingly gathered and made by hand. As I read the book, I wondered what the effects of climate change will have on this particular practice since a period of freezing and thawing is important to the process. The book certainly made me have a whole new appreciation for the syrup I pour on my French toast, and I appreciated how it captures a practice that is probably no longer widespread.

[Laurie Hnatiuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Maxwell Eaton III books and his series the Truth About Animal series. Bear Goes Sugaring follows a similar format using speech bubbles, a variety of different informational text feature in his usual comic book format complete with a dog and squirrel delivering the humour as a bear presents the process of making maple syrup the old fashioned way.


In a picture book format we are introduced to bear who after a long winter recognizes the temperature is right to go into the woods to gather sap from the sugar maple and make maple syrup. As we learn the step by step process, Eaton has inserted the facts and relevant information needed in easy to understand pieces. Whether it be small framed boxes showing us the different tools we need to a two page spread detailing the different types of maples to a bird’s eye view of how far to drill into the tree, to how to make an evaporator, readers learn the order and steps to make maple syrup. Eaton also cleverly recognizes that the whole point is to get maple syrup and Bear’s two sidekicks Dog and Squirrel provide the humour and impatience of waiting for the syrup to lather over their pancakes.

Lots to love about this book and adults and kids are going to “eat” this one up.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

They appear with regularity annually. There's still snow on the ground. There's still a chill in the air but the days are longer and more often are filled with sunshine. They, these buckets, hang from sugar maple trees, gathering sap no longer necessary for the winter months.

For those of us who adorn our pancakes, waffles, French toast or hot cereal with dribbles or pools of maple syrup, we are grateful to see these buckets. Maple syrup is also preferred by some in baking and cooking as a distinctive sweetener. The smell alone is enough to bring delectable memories soaring into our minds. Two January releases focus their attention on collecting the sap, sugaring time.

For those eager to learn about the process, Bear Goes Sugaring (Neal Porter Books, Holiday House, January 7, 2020) written and illustrated by Maxwell Eaton III is an enlightening and lively title. You may know Maxwell Eaton III for his Truth About . . . (Seriously Funny Facts About Your Favorite Animals) series. Maxwell Eaton III brings the same fascinating information and the same generous helping of humor to Bear Goes Sugaring as he does in his other marvelous nonfiction books.


My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maxwell Eaton III is has created and is creating some wonderful non-fiction books with great stories, text features, and illustrations to get all kids excited about non-fiction. Some kids naturally love non-fiction because they love facts but they might see the pages as being too full of information or not as "friendly" or accessible as other texts. Eaton makes it fun and engaging, even having a second story running through the book with the background characters. I love that the vocabulary and what is being taught in this book is high level, yet made accessible with labels and cute characters. This is definitely a book I will use as a mentor text with my students to show them a great way to do non-fiction text in their own writing. Plus, I love all the extra information I learned from this book and others that I can then share with students.

[Elayne Crain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book is graphic novel-style informational fiction, and I'm here for it. It sort of feels like what might happen if an Eyewitness book fell through a mystical portal into a comic book featuring talking animals. It's an interesting format to keep in mind because it is so different than what we typically see/read. The book's main content is the process of making maple syrup from scratch--including selecting trees to tap, tapping, collecting (and then processing) the sap, etc.--but it also touches on science, geography, cooking, and tradition. That content is all told from the standpoint of a narrator watching an anthropomorphic bear "sugaring" while a dog and a squirrel crack wise. A lot is going on here, but somehow it works--producing a sweet, technical (but still somehow accessible) informational story.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for the Mock Caldecott voting next January. A really fun book to explore with your youngster. In fact, if you're lucky enough to live in the right region...you may even be able to use the descriptions in the book to make your own maple syrup. I can remember reading about sugaring when I was in grade school but it was certainly not presented in such a colorful and humorous way. All this time I've lived in Indiana...where they do have sugar maples...and I never realized it. Of course, I doubt my parents would have wanted to spend that much time and energy making maple syrup when you could just buy it at the store. But it might have been fun to do it just once.!

[Roberta Surface · Rating 4 out of 5]

In graphic novel format, Maxwell Eaton III provides an informative and entertaining guide through the maple sugaring process, from identifying the right trees to tasting the delicious syrup on a stack of pancakes. We follow Bear every step of the way as his delightful friends Dog and Squirrel add comical commentary. Every page is filled with details and illustrations to inform and entertain the reader. This juvenile non-fiction book is perfect to share with younger children pre k – 2nd, or as an independent read for 3rd or 4th graders, especially right before breakfast.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very informative, funny, educational, very well illustrated and diagrammed. Bear has prepared to go tapping sugar maples for the sap she can get to make sweet maple syrup. Her friends, Dog and Squirrel, are eager to help - but all they do is ask questions and complain about how long it will be before they can have pancakes and syrup.
This is a fun story to read, and the information is lightened with humour. Nicely done.

[Amy Oberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maxwell Eaton is simply a literary genius! I admire how he infuses humor and authenticity into his selections, and "Bear Goes Sugaring" is another terrific addition to today's nonfiction canon for young readers. Replete with details and insightful "how-tos," this book helps pancake lovers see syrup as more than a condiment...it's a labor of love!

[Children's Literature Centre at FSU · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great informational book that adds some fun aspects as well! Would be great for areas that are big on making maple syrup, so children can learn a "fun" way as to how that is done! Gives good information on different types of trees which can be a fun outdoor/science lesson. Gives step by step how maple sugar is made, easy for children to follow along!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know how much I didn't know about the process/hobby of sugaring but I found this totally fascinating. The main character is adorable and fictional but it takes a look at the whole process in a fun, educational, completely engaging way.

[Heidi Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I classified this as a picture book, is is also a non-fiction story about the process of making maple syrup. The author uses a combination of silly characters, lively illustrations and factual notations that make this book a great introduction to sugaring.

[Lynne Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Filled with sweet information but not outstanding as a book to read or read again. Still, very interesting and enjoyable. 4 stars for the information, but 3 stars as far as readability.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned something new.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun way to learn about maple syrup! A great pre-breakfast read!

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging NF with Bear and friends explaining the process of making maple syrup.Like the ecological author note at the end. Pair with Almost Time for a sweet fic/NF companion storytime.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lively nonfiction picture book with interesting details. Recommended for maple syrup enthusiasts ages 6-9.

[Danica Midlil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thatsa lotsa info! Six year old son Loved it.

[Rebecca Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full review here:
https://geekmom.com/2020/03/bookends-...