Reviews for The turnip

Horn Book
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

The badger family cannot pull their giant turnip out of the ground without the help of a series of neighbors. This loose retelling of a Russian folktale is illustrated with Brett's detailed paintings of animals dressed in traditional Russian costume. The text is straightforward and unadorned, the better to feast on the sumptuous pages. (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.


Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

A classic Russian tale gets Brett's signature artwork and a twist ending. When Badger Girl finds a giant turnip in the vegetable patch, she immediately starts thinking of all the tasty things that could be made with a turnip that size. But she can't pull it out, not even with the assistance of Badger Boy, Mother Badger, or Father Badger, each new character heralded in the recto vignette on the previous page. Passing friendsHedgie, Mr. Ram, and Vanya, the horsejoin in, one by one, as the snowflakes signaling winter's arrival start to fall, but even all pulling together, they can't manage it. A rooster who had a narrow escape from a cooking pot happens by. Meanwhile, a mother bear and two cubs, whom observant readers have been watching in the vignettes on the versos, climb into their winter den to hibernate only to find a giant turnip in their bed. Well, their pushing and Rooster's pulling coincide to pop the turnip out, and it's turnip pancakes for those aboveground, sleep for the bears, and an honorary home for Rooster. Brett brings the Russian countryside setting to life. Her anthropomorphized animals wear clothing in shades of blues, white, and reds, and the patterns are beautiful. The wooden fences and house are elaborately carved, and Brett's borders are highly detailed, many times looking like carved wood. Another Brett winner to add to the shelf. (Picture book. 3-7) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

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