With its unique illustrations and no-nonsense storytelling, Sugar Would Not Eat It follows a boy named Leo as he adopts a stray kitten and names it Sugar.
Things go well at first, but Leo is baffled when Sugar refuses to eat the leftover birthday cake he offers her. Various neighbors stop by to weigh in with their advice, sharing dinnertime wisdom from their own parents when they were young.
Parody of Parents at Dinnertime
Parents will laugh out loud at themselves as Leo implores, "Don't you want to eat your cake so you can grow into a big strong cat?" and "You are not leaving this table until you eat up all that cake. We can sit here until it's dark outside, I don't care."
Sugar Would Not Eat It creates a hilarious parody of the things parents say and do to coax their children into eating at meal time. Leo tries everything from reasoning to threatening to begging, but nothing he does can convince Sugar to try even one bite.
Parents of strong-willed children (and perhaps the owners of stubborn cats) will find the book entertaining and fresh.
Emphasis on Illustration in Sugar Wouldn't Eat It
About finding artist Giselle Potter, Jenkins says, "I was so excited when Anne Schwartz (my editor) suggested Potter. I love her art. She conveys great joy coexisting with melancholy in a wonderful way."
In fact, it took Jenkins two years to find the right illustrator for Sugar Would Not Eat It. Potter's raw, offbeat, and slightly retro style must have been just what Jenkins was looking for.
Sugar Would Not Eat It places a lot of importance on illustration. Some pages in the book have no words at all, letting the pictures completely carry the story.
About Author Emily Jenkins
Emily Jenkins (a catowner herself) is the daughter of a preschool teacher and a playwright. She manages to merge both of her parents' passions into a career writing for children.
Jenkins says she has "always been... fascinated by the intersection of words and images – the way meanings of words can be altered by changing their presentation." Picture books offer a unique platform for exploring the intersection of text and illustration.
In addition to children's books, Jenkins is also the author of various magazine articles, a book of essays, and a novel for adults.
About Sugar Would Not Eat It
Sugar Would Not Eat It is Emily Jenkins' 14th children's book. It is published by Shwartz & Wade Books, 2009. To find the book, search for ISBN 978-0-375-83603-9.
Sources:
Emily Jenkin's website
"Seven Impossible Things before Breakfast" blog interview with Emily Jenkins
Jenny Evans - Jenny Evans is a freelance writer and editor specializing in parenting and the family. She is also the Mormonism Topic Editor for ...
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