[.ca] Two Old Potatoes and Me (ISBN 0375821805)

The eyes have it:
Personally I prefer my mashed potatoes with garlic. But that doesnï¿1/2t mean John Coyï¿1/2s ï¿1/2Two Old Potatoes and Meï¿1/2ï¿1/2 doesnï¿1/2t hit the mark. Coyï¿1/2s simple story is about a father and daughter making a bucket of potatoes out of two ï¿1/2rottenï¿1/2ï¿1/2 ones, rescued from the trash. But, perfectly matched by Carolyn Fisherï¿1/2s dense and joyous illustrations, itï¿1/2s also about many larger things: the miracle of nature (and sustainability), the challenges of time and patience, the complex intimacies of family, and of course the fact that grandfathers know just about everything. That makes it a book to read and re-read; you and your child might detect a different flavor each time through. The strategy for dealing with potato bugs and the recipe for mashed potatoes are bonuses, and mean you might want three copies of this book: one for the kidsï¿1/2 shelf, one for the cookbook shelf, and one on the gardening table.

The eyes have it:
Personally I prefer my mashed potatoes with garlic and maybe even some herbs and parmesan cheese, and always with the skin on. But that doesn't mean John Coy's "Two Old Potatoes and Me'' doesn't hit the mark. Coy's simple story is about a father and daughter making a bucket of potatoes out of two rotten ones. But, perfectly matched by Carolyn Fisher's dense and joyous illustrations, it's also about many larger things: the miracle of nature (and sustainability), the challenges of time and patience, the complex intimacies of family, and of course the fact that grandfathers know just about everything. Given the mashed potato recipe and the strategy for dealing with potato bugs, you might want three copies of this book: one for the kids' shelf, one for the cookbook shelf, and one on the gardening table.

A story about making things grow:
"Two Old Potatoes and Me" is by John Coy, with pictures by Carolyn Fisher. The story is narrated by a young girl who finds two old potatoes with sprouts growing from them. With advice from her grandpa, she and her dad try to grow new potatoes from the old ones. The rich, colorful pictures have a surreal flavor and an appealing energetic quality. This is a good story about intergenerational cooperation and bonding, and also about hard work and conservation of resources. And as a bonus the book includes a recipe for mashed potatoes.