He tries to drop them back into the salad, and Maggie grabs his wrist to make sure he doesn't touch. A few fall out onto the ground, and Herbert scurries to pick them up. She mixes them in her floppy hat, then tosses in some wood chips. As Herbert watches, she walks in a wide arc around him, gathering stems of clover, dandelion leaves, some soft crab apples. Then Herbert appears and asks what she's doing. Maggie's pleased that the park is empty and quiet, perfect for making Salad Pie. The park is the perfect place for culinary imagination-and friendship. Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake Public Library, AB, Canada - School Library Journal After reading this book, take a child outside and see what they can invent with the ingredients they find in the yard or on a walk. VERDICT A fine addition to collections in need of imaginative friendship tales. Maggie might be considered a loner, but when Herbert impresses her with his imaginative culinary skills, she is willing to change her plans for the day and make a new friend. The characters in this story are old enough to go to the park by themselves, and they appear to be of different racial backgrounds. The qualities anyone would want in a friend are clearly visible in Herbert at that moment. When Maggie falls off the slide performing her salad song-and-dance routine, Herbert is there to catch her and the salad.

Herbert’s appearance makes her grumpy at first, but when she realizes she can’t scare him away, she reluctantly allows him to help add a garnish or two to her dandelion, crab apple, and clover salad. There should be no noise and, most importantly, no help. Maggie believes the only way to make salad pie is in the park by herself. Catherine Reed-Thureson - Foreword Reviews Colorful, energetic depictions of the children at play support and illustrate the story’s important lesson.

However, when her beautiful salad pie takes an unexpected tumble, Herbert is there to save the day, and Maggie realizes that salad pie is even better when shared. She is not happy when Herbert shows up to help her. This, she feels, is the perfect environment for making salad pie. In Salad Pie, Maggie finds the playground deserted when she arrives. Learning to share and play nicely with other children can be a challenge.

Salad Pie by Wendy BooydeGraaff