Maple Syrup from the Sugarhouse

K-Gr 3—Kelsey and her father head out to tap the sugar maple trees now that the days are warmer and the tree sap is rising. Family and friends arrive at the sugar bush camp to help. As they work, the steps for making maple syrup and processes such as evaporation are clearly explained through Kelsey's conversations with her father and the tasks they perform. The font is classic serif, large and bold for easy reading. Some of the text is alliterative and shaped for emphasis. The illustrations are appealing with bright, saturated colors framed by the natural whites and browns of a winter landscape. Faces and forms of people are deceptively simple lines, yet expressions are clear and well defined. The children and adults are a diverse bunch in ethnicity and age. Spreads add depth and perspective to the busy, labor-intensive system for making syrup from sap. There are end notes with facts about maple trees, maple syrup, and the maple syrup industry. These notes are not sourced, and there are no additional resources listed. This title is a fun, comprehensive look at the process of making maple syrup the old-fashioned way, written by a veteran author who is also an experienced maple sugar farmer.