One Potato, Two Potato

Written by Cynthia Defelice · Illustrated by Andrea U'Ren

A magic pot doubles everything, but can it grant the O'Gradys' wish for friends?

4.0 Goodreads · 365 ratings

32 pages· 1,158 words· Est. 9 min read-aloud· AD630L

$19.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

In a world of scarcity, Mr. and Mrs. O'Grady share everything, from a single potato to a tattered blanket. Their fortunes change when they discover a pot that doubles anything placed inside. As their material needs vanish, they yearn for something more profound—companionship. Can the magical pot fulfill their deepest desire for friendship, or are some wishes beyond its power? This enchanting tale blends folklore with themes of love, sharing, and the true wealth of human connection.

From the publisher

Mr. and Mrs. O’Grady are so poor they have just one of everything to share - one potato a day, one chair, one blanket full of holes, and one gold coin for a rainy day. After digging up the last potato in their patch, Mr. O’Grady comes upon a big black object. It’s a pot - no ordinary pot, for what they soon discover is that whatever goes into it comes out doubled! Suddenly the O’Gradys aren’t destitute anymore. But what they really long for is one friend apiece. Can the magic pot give them that? This retelling of a Chinese folktale pays tribute to the author’s Irish heritage, and to the joys of an old marriage, new friendships, and the impulse to share. Using pen and gouache, the artist shows the simple characters in all their winning complexity. One Potato, Two Potato is a 2007 Bank Street - Best Children’s Book of the Year.

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