Time for Cranberries

K-Gr 2—For the first time, a young boy participates with his family in the cranberry harvest. He describes the equipment and processes used to pick, transfer from marsh to truck, sort, clean, and ultimately deliver the berries. The harvest time lasts through the fall. When Thanksgiving arrives, he enjoys cranberry pie as part of the celebration (recipe included). This warm tale is an informative glimpse into a farming lifestyle that will be foreign to many children. Based on the author's own experience, the story conveys a feeling of authenticity, although the child view may be somewhat idealized. The illustrations, which appear to be digitally rendered with the look of watercolors and light black detailing, convey the mood with foliage, animals, and clothing consistent with the season. A multigenerational element is emphasized in the picture portraying an older couple sitting on the porch and a younger sister playing in the yard.