Turnip Books

Loved the story, as did my grandaughter. The songs (or poems)
are catchy and there is a lot to learn for everyone.

This book is gorgeous! Trisha Howell did a wonderful job, writing a short meaningful children's story about a melon and a turnip that have to overcome obstacles to enjoy the good things in life. As a parent of 4 children, I see that some of my children are stimulated via sight; therefore I recommend books like this to parents who wish to teach empowering ideas to their children.

And by the way, the quality of this book is super. You should buy it just for the art!

Zev Saftlas, Author of Motivation That Works

This is the 2nd book my children have read by this author. The characters are wonderful, and my what an enchanting way to teach beautiful values. This book also encouraged my children to do a delightful puppet show. My children are looking forward to reading her new series of "Talia and the Tower" when it comes out.

Children will "root" for these two delightful friends who venture out of their safe garden and into the wide world! The concept of a melon and a turnip breaking free and traveling is great imaginative fun, and the world they discover together is full of wonder, meaning, challenge, danger and beauty. A lovely book.

This in every way delightful book contains a good moral, engaging text, and fantastic illustrations. Great gift for expecting parents or for youngsters!

My daughter, Lena, 3 years old, loves this book. The title first caught her interest but she also enjoys the story. Gardens are intriguing to her and this story centered around a garden brings so many other positive lessons to light including cooperation, sharing, community spirit, family. I highly recommend this book to be included in any children's collection at home or teacher's collection at school.

Grandma Lena's Big Ol' Turnip is a soul-food picturebook adaptation of an old Russian folktale which is wonderfully illustrated by the fetching artwork of Jackie Urbanovic. A grand tall tail about woman who takes good care of her garden; the biggest turnip in it is so humongous that Grandma Lena, Uncle Isadore, Aunt Netty, and the dog can't make it budge! Who will make the difference? Exuberant color pictures add a whimsical touch to this cheerful tale with a positive message: "Anything worth doing is worth doing right".

I am simply amazed at this author's talents on a daily basis. What a wonderful addition to my baby's brand new book collection! Bravo Denia!

I am also biased, because although I didn't grow up with David, I grew up in Emory. "Tom Turner" is my grandfather, and "Tommy Turner" is my uncle. The book is funny, sweet, sad...all those emotions in one book. I could guess at the identities of several of the people, and my dad helped me with a few. If you don't read any other chapter, read the one about "Mama" and building the playhouse. A fun, quick read about life in a small Texas town in the 50s.

My review is biased because I grew up with the author, David Shiflet. I could not put this book down because it literally tells the story of my childhood in East Texas with all the fun and all the sadness that real life brings. I was particularly interested in the people in the book because they were real characters in our childhood and I knew their real names. Absolutely one of the best books I've read in the last 10 years.

I heard about this book while listening to an interview with the author on NPR. I grew up in a somewhat small town and thought it would be funny to hear someone else's perspective. I ordered a copy and just received it yesterday. Reading through it feels like you're back in the middle of To Kill a Mockingbird, although a lot more funny. It tickles all your emotions; mostly yoru funny bone but it flared up my tear ducts too.

I literally could not put the book down. I usually read a chapter of a book each night but I sped through this one in one evening. Every short story makes you anxious for the next one. He really has a way with putting into words all your senses and puts you in the middle of Smalltown, USA. You feel it, smell it and taste it. I've ordered several more to hand out. Truly a fun and refreshing read.

I am english and third generation Hong Konger, I bought the book to find out more about what my grandfather went through. The book moved me in the hardest way. I thought that it was one of the best history books that I have read so far in the last two years.

George Wright-Nooth's book is a clear, honest, and interesting account of life for civilians in captivity for three and a half years at Stanley Camp in Hong Kong. I know. I was there (although just a child with his mother). My memories and her stories were brought to life again by this book.

'Oat Soup and Turnips' is an enlightening memoir of a young German girl and her affluent family as they struggle to survive through the years of World War II. Fear, terror, sorrow, and wretched disenchantment mark Dita Franklin's tale. Her brother is drafted into the army; he goes to school one day and is not heard from for five years. At this point her family flees the frightening conditions of Prussia as the Russians invade. She and her parents return to their original homeland, Germany, where they are moved from one temporary dwelling to another by a failing bureaucracy. There is no food, no clothing, no heat. Having been oppressed and starved because of Hitler's pointless war efforts, the German people find this misery unchanged when the occupation forces arrive. While the history behind 'Oat Soup and Turnips' is fascinating and meticulously related, the personal tale of Dita's determination to overcome her miserable situation in an occupied country and to build a safer life for herself is inspiring. Born into a priviledged lifestyle, her efforts to regain all that she lost show the narrator to be a strong and tenacious person. Once begun, this tale simply cannot be put down.

This authentic literature is a great addition to this ESL series. This entire series is wonderful. With new migrant students entering my district everyday, I have a population of students with diverse needs. This series includes lessons in Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking as well as relates all to real life experiences and other content areas. As well, real, authentic literature is included in almost each new thematic unit.

The story of The Turnip , or Giant Turnip, is a fun, classic fairytale.

This version, as told by the poet Walter De la Mare, has an entertaining use of language. The story is about two brothers, one a "mean and merciless greedyguts" the other "as different from this as chalk from cheese." The two brothers, each in their own way, present a gift to the king. What shall be the outcome?

Kevin Hawkes illustrations are humorous and cheerfully colorful. The the expressions on the faces of the brothers capture their personalites completely. The text is also interspersed with small pen and ink drawings.

This book deserves a place in the library of every children's book reader and collector.

You won't go wrong when you purchase this little gem of a book. Every recipe I have tried has come out delicious! The Banana Pecan Cake is moist and yummy! The Apricot Nectar Cake is to die for! The Broccoli Casserole is a crowd pleaser...the Chicken & Broccoli Casserole is another winner and the Strawberry Pecan Bread is just incredible! This is one of my favorite cookbooks and the one I turn to when I know I need a sure winner! Well worth the price it is selling for!

This is one of the best books I've read so far. I absolutely loved it! I think it's because I related to it so much. I'm from Pittsburgh and of a "hunky" background. The author truly captured the essence of Pittsburgh in her writing - down to the Pittsburgh dialect (lovingly called Pittsburgh-ese by us natives). The story about Mrs. Lemack and Mrs. Kuzo is outstanding. The way Mrs. Kuzo reflects on her life during a state-wide drive with her friend is truly enlightening. Her story is sad, but yet so true of so many during that time period -- especially in the Pittsburgh area where so many Eastern Europeans immigrated. I'm buying this book to send to my mother!

This short novel is an unsung classic of American immigrant literature, bringing to mind Willa Cather's "My Antonia" and Thomas Bell's "Out of This Furnace"--only much more full-bodied. I recommend it highly for reading groups, sociologists, students of American labor history, residents of Pittsburgh (the book's setting), older readers, and anyone appreciative of life's many paradoxes. Mrs. Kuzo, the 75-year-old blue-collar narrator, is a voice to be reckoned with--bawdy, poignant, impatient, hilarious, but never sentimental, an "old broad" in the best sense of the word. Accompanied by her madcap friend, Mrs. Lemack, she journeys from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia in search of the grave of blues singer, Bessie Smith, only to discover herself as she recollects her turbulent life as the daughter of poor steel-town immigrants. This book is a gem that I couldn't put down--gripping, hilarious, touching.

I loved following Mrs. Kuzo and Mrs Lemack on thier journey to visit Bessie Smith's grave. During this trip Mrs. Kuzo thinks back to her tragic life with her dysfunctional family, but I was amazed how the author was able to add some humor to the tragic details. I would highly recommend reading this book.

I hope when I'm 75 that I have the spunk and vigor of Mrs. Kuzo and Mrs. Lemack. The plot of this book was ingenious and fast-paced. I loved the insights into these fabulous women's friendship. It was bittersweet and heart-wrenching, but unputdownable. I plan to read this one over and over. It's a perfect summer read!

Since I am big fan of great Bessie Smith, it was just natural that I found this book.It didnt tell me anything about Bessie - she was merely symbol of great journey in this novel but I still couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting.Its a lovely book full of interesting characters and Im sure it would made a great movie.Only today when I was writting about this book in my diary I realised that actually every male character in this book is very bad one - there are no good males here, they are all drunkers or sadistic rapist.I really liked two old ladies and I enjoyed the book but its a little too much to blame guys for everything bad in their lifes, nothing is so balck-and-white and I am sure that there are some nice guys around, strangely enough not in this book.

A truly delightful child's book. I bought this book for my father who is 85 years old and has recently started growing turnips in his garden. He has 2 great granddaughters with whom he can share this book.

I love how the text reads, even more so than the brilliant illustrations. I love to read this text first and then play Heather Forest's musical adaptation of this story (see Heather Forest's Sing Me a Story).

This is a wonderful book, with beautiful illustrations. I teach preschool and use this book whenever I get a chance...it can be used to teach about counting, animals and planting...as well as having a wonderful moral. Every little bit helps!