Pickle-Chiffon Pie by Jolly Roger Bradfield

This next book is not one that I read as a kid.  In fact, I didn't know it existed until 2 years ago when I found it in a Savers Thrift Store, looked it up on Amazon, and saw that Amazon was actually paying people to trade in this book cause the demand is high for it.

And because of that, I have two copies....  I was going to trade it in to Amazon to make money off of it, but I couldn't get it out of my hand and into an envelope.  So I kept both.  I mean, I have two kids.  Why not?

Pickle - Chiffon Pie by Jolly Roger Bradfield  (1967)

I read this the other night to my oldest son (who doesn't understand anything I say...or just doesn't care) but I really enjoyed it.

This is about a King (who loves pickle-chiffon pie) who wants the best prince to marry his princess.  He has three men prove themselves by sending them out into the forest.  Each man has to come back with the most unusual, unique thing they have ever seen.

When the first two princes have found what they were looking for, the third prince thinks he has, until he realizes that the animal he found (who makes pickle-chiffon pie) has a family, he is in a dilemma.....  tear him away from his family to send him to the king to win the princess' hand or lose his only chance at winning but keep a family together.

Your child will find out what is the most honorable (and unique) thing to do beyond all else.

It's such a cute story.  I love the moral of the book as well.  It's not often you find a story that's so original as this one, which is why it's probably in high demand on Amazon, too.

Plus, how can you pass up a book with an author such as Jolly Roger?  I mean, really?  I think that's what initially got me looking at the book.

The illustrations are perfect for the 60's as well.  I must have some type of 60's - 70's colors fetish because I just adore it.  Especially the way they look like watercolors in this book.  It looks like the illustrator ACTUALLY took his time to create those pictures.

Is this book worth it?  YES!  You need a book with honorable morals.  No more ABC books or a funny book about squirrels or pigeons....we have enough of those.  This is a book that a child should read.

You can purchase this on both Amazon and Thriftbooks USED for the same amount.  You will be paying about $10 for the lowest amount but it will be worth it.  You can hold out if you want for a thrift store find but in 3 years, I've only seen 2.  (And that's searching about 9 different thrift stores)

By the way, Amazon is no longer accepting trade ins.

Click below to purchase at either Amazon or Thriftbooks to get this wonderful story!

Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty

My husband is a computer engineer.  So when I saw a children's book that had to do with a child who wanted to be an engineer, I jumped right on it (or bought it).  This is a newer book so don't expect to find it in a thrift store or even for really cheap used anytime soon.

Why won't you find it at a thrift store?  Umm...because it's a totally awesome, sweet book!  Whoever gives this book up to a thrift store is crazy craze.  It's wonderful, fantastic, superb!  I can't say enough how much I love this.

And it's for BOTH genders....  as this does have relation to women's workforce during the world war, a boy and a girl can both enjoy this story.

Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty

 This story starts with a girl name Rosie whose fear of criticism keeps her from sharing her inventions and engineering to others.

As she tries to invent things that would help others, but after being laughed at with one of her projects, she wonders if she could really become an engineer.  Rosie will learn from a great relative with history that she doesn't need to worry about what others are thinking and what everyone else does.  She only needs to believe in herself and see the bigger picture in how her inventions help others.

Now tell me that's not a story your child should hear.

 This book is in a rhyme and let me tell you, it's quite clever.

 The illustrations are spectacular.  The color is amazing and the drawings are just done perfectly that it even keeps my 2 year old's eyes on the pages.

There is another book that's related to this one that's out there that I have as well.  I'll definitely get that one on this blog real soon.  They are both worth paying full price for.  But you can purchase this book for a great price on Amazon.  Don't expect this book to be on Thriftbooks anytime soon.  If it does go on there, it will be for the same price as buying a new one on Amazon.  Click below to purchase!  You WON'T regret it!

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka

When I first learned to read, it was about the late 80's. So you can only imagine how many books my little boys own that are from that era. I've purchased every book that I can remember reading during that time and hopefully I can find more. There was one book that stuck out in my mind and I HAD to get it. At first, I couldn't find this book in the thrift store. I guess it's not something people let go of so easily, which is understandable. So I had to give in and purchase a new paperback version. But that's not what you are going to see here. Why? Because I finally found a used hardcover version at the thrift store for .50 cents. I did find one other paperback a couple years ago (after I purchased the new one) but I gave it away to a friend who had a son that's only 5 weeks older than my boy. She remembered the book, too, from her early years and needed it just as much as I needed it.

So here is one of my most memorable stories from my childhood:

 The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka

This was a former library book from Texas.  

Don't know why they got rid of it.  It's a great copy.  Plus I love how libraries protect the dust cover by covering it with a clear wrap.  

If you haven't read this story....I feel for you.  It's wonderful!  Maybe the Big Bad Wolf isn't so bad after all, according to him.  While trying to find a cup of sugar so he can bake his grandmother a cake, he takes off in search of the ingredient.  On the way, he comes across three very rude pigs who refuse to help out this poor wolf.  Now, I do have to say, despite the wolf being nice, he's definitely not a vegan, so don't expect him to refuse free pork.  

I really wish I would have kept my copy from when it first came out.  I know my mother bought me a copy not too long after it was published.  

This is why you don't sell your kids favorite books at yard sales.  My mom sold each of my books at yard sales or gave it to thrift stores when I was about 13.  And now, I would have loved to give those copies to my boys.  

In a previous post, I told you how you can tell if you have a First Edition/First Printing.  You can view that Here.  

So, no where on the above copyright page does it say First Edition (some publishers don't even announce that, so you have to pay close attention).  But you can tell it's not a First Edition by it saying "First published in 1989 by Viking Penguin"  This edition was published only by Viking.  

The printing line is available on this book.  As you see, it says 37 39 40 38 36.  The lowest number is the printing lot for this book which would mean, in this edition, it's the 36th printing.

WHERE TO BUY:

You could possibly find this book at a local thrift store; if you are willing to take the time to search, and I mean a lot of time.  The last 3 years, I've found this book in 6 different thrift stores maybe about 5 times.  

But you can get this book for very cheap at Amazon; $4.00 with shipping for used, $6.00 for a new paperback, or around $11.00 for a new hardcover.

Or you can get it the cheapest at Thriftbooks ($3.59) if you order $10 or more for books so you can get the free shipping.  Otherwise, it's .99 cents shipping for each book.  Plus, when you reach $50 all together on all the orders you've placed, they will give you a $5 gift card.  I always take this route when I'm interested in multiple books.

Here are the links if you are interested in purchasing from any of these dealers:

                                                                   

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! by: Jon Scieszka $3.59

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt

Oh, ...I don't even know where to begin with this book.  Let's just say, if I only had the option of buying this book new, I WOULD DO IT!

One of my most favorite newer children's book that I really think should be in every kid's library

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywelt

Can I just say HILARIOUS!  Yes, all caps, this deserves ALL CAPS!  

One day, a little boy who needs to do a project for school suddenly discovers his crayons are missing, but a box of notes are left from each one letting them now that they are on strike.

Each page features a crayon, his/her letter and a striking illustration next to it.  

Just like how you see above, the black is on strike cause he's tried of only being used for outlines and wants to be used for more happier objects.

Or how the gray crayon is tired of being used for such large animals and the yellow and orange crayons are in a fight of who is really the color of the sun.  

I love the illustrations and how they are so childish and seem so real to what the book is about.

I, as an adult, really enjoyed it.  I probably would have even purchased this book even if I didn't have kids.  I'm even scared that for my son to touch it cause I'm afraid he'll ruin it.  Does that make me a bad mom?  

This book can be purchased brand new on Amazon for about $10 with prime shipping, which is actually cheaper than buying the book used anywhere else.  Thriftbooks you are paying about $12-13 with shipping for this book and that's used.

Worth every penny!  Get it!  Your child will want to read it over and over...including yourself!

Click on the link below to purchase from Amazon:

UPDATE::::  The sequel to this book will be coming out in August.  It's called The Day the Crayons Came Home.  Can't wait!!  To pre-purchase this book (which I'm sure is going to be cheaper than buying it after it comes out)  click on the link below to Amazon: