The Children’s Book Review | April 12, 2011
By Mary McKenna Siddals (Author), Ashley Wolff (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 4-7
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Tricycle Press; 1 edition (March 23, 2010)
Source: Publisher
Compost Stew: An A to Z Recipe for the Earth uses a clever and entertaining rhyme that, just as the title suggests, gives a great recipe for making compost. All of the ingredients are familiar household products, such as vegetable trimmings, coffee grounds, and oatmeal. At the back of the book the “Chef’s Note” can be found—it’s another witty rhyme all of its own and teaches readers what shouldn’t go in compost. The illustrations, which are rendered in gouache and collage, compliment the tone of the recipe with the use of more familiar recyclable materials.
About the Author: Mary McKenna Siddals is the author of several picture books for the very young, including Millions of Snowflakes. In addition, she has written dozens of children’s stories, articles, poems, and activities appearing in a variety of magazines. A former teacher, she lives in British Columbia, Canada, where she enjoys tending to her own batch of Compost Stew. Learn more about Mary at www.siddals.com.
About the Illustrator: Ashley Wolff is the author and/or illustrator of more than sixty children’s books, including Baby Beluga; I Love My Mommy Because; I Love My Daddy Because; Mama’s Milk; Stella and Roy Go Camping; I Call My Grandma Nana; I Call My Grandpa Papa; When Lucy Goes Out Walking; and the beloved Miss Bindergarten series. Ashley wrangles thousands of red wriggler compost worms in her San Francisco backyard garden. She grows flowers, vegetables, and an amazingly prolific persimmon tree. Visit her website at www.ashleywolff.com.
Activities: http://www.siddals.com/compost-stew.html
Add this book to your collection: Compost Stew
If you like the sound of Compost Stew by Mary McKenna Siddals, I recommend the following book list: Earth Day Books: Gardens, Compost & Bees