Blueberries for Sal

Written by Robert McCloskey

A little girl and a bear become lost on Blueberry Hill while picking blueberries with their mothers.

5.7/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 74,704 ratings

56 pages· 1,147 words· Est. 9 min read-aloud· AD600L

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Bookroo's summary

Sal and her mother are picking blueberries when Sal wanders off, meeting a bear preparing for winter. Meanwhile, a curious bear cub follows Sal's mother. As the two pairs mix up, the question arises: will each mother find her rightful child? This charming tale unfolds amidst the picturesque Maine countryside, capturing the essence of a summer adventure.

From the publisher

What happens when Sal and her mother meet a mother bear and her cub? A beloved classic is born!

Kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk! Sal and her mother a picking blueberries to can for the winter. But when Sal wanders to the other side of Blueberry Hill, she discovers a mama bear preparing for her own long winter. Meanwhile Sal’s mother is being followed by a small bear with a big appetite for berries! Will each mother go home with the right little one?

With its expressive line drawings and charming story, Blueberries for Sal has won readers’ hearts since its first publication in 1948.

Awards

Caldecott Honor (1949)

At a glance

Format
Pages: 56
Words: 1,147
Reading age: 3–7
Audience: Picture
Lexile: AD600L

Themes & topics

Books about moms Books about hard work Books about fruit Books about bears Books about mother and child

What readers & critics say

Reviews

5.7

out of 7

7.0

“We are fortunate to live in an area where we can go blueberry picking in the summer, and we do most years. Reading Blueberries for Sal was almost always a part of the experience. Even as my children got too old for picture books, they didn't mind re-reading Blueberries for Sal and referring to it as we picked, kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk. I so closely associate this book with blueberries, that even when I just buy blueberries from the store, I pay a mental tribute to memories of warm summer days picking and eating blueberries. There is a delightful mismatch at the heart of the story which creates some suspense and interest to the experience. We were lucky in all of our excursions never to have met a bear though.”

Grammy

Trusted reviewer

The author