I received this book via the Goodreads' drawing. It was a delightful surprise. I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Delicious and her family on the Oregon Trail. As a children's book the facts that seem a bit preposterous to an adult would be perfectly okay to a child (father seems more concerned about his plants than the family or the clothes showing up after the storm). I also enjoyed the pictures. Often the pictures are what first attract me to a child's book, and I have rejected many books because the pictures did not meet my standards. These were colorful and depicted the scenes well. They were also aptly unusual which fit the story.I will enjoy sharing this book with my grandchildren who have been on the Platte River Road this summer and years ago in the Columbia Gorge. This is a thoroughly enjoyable tall tale read. The illustrations are colorful, attractive and engaging for kids of many grades, easily up to 5th with a genre study. There are also good history connections to be made, particularly if the author's note at the end of the book is used. There is a map in the front as well. A comparison with Johnny Appleseed is also possible. I didn't give it a fifth star just because there were a few minor parts that just did not seem well-developed or completely connected. Nothing too serious but things the students asked about or did not understand that I felt could have been a little better explained or developed. I would give the author 5 stars for excellent vocabulary and use of language though. It made for a fun read-aloud with all the puns and Americanisms.
Fabulous, funny illustrations and story, interestingly and loosely based on a true event.
—ryanl147
Hilarious! Father takes better care of his trees than his kids. Great story.
—igarza
cute!
—Lori
