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Local author Terry Pierce has written a fine assortment of
children’s favorites, from the delightfully kid-friendly jokes in
“Goofy Knock-Knocks” and her award-winning picture book
series “Mother Goose Rhymes” to the beautifully paired stories
contrasting myth and fact in “Two Tales of Hawaii.”
For her latest offering, “Blackberry Banquet,” she has created a
yarn for youngsters to hear over and over again until they
happily recite it by heart.
It starts in a wee green wood with a mouse that reaches up
for a berry and sighs. “Squeak! Mmm-mm!” Next comes a bird.
“Tweet! Mmm-mm! Squeak! Mmm-mm!” Then a squirrel.
“Slurp! Mmm-mm! Tweet! Mmm-mm! Squeak! Mmm-mm!” You
get the idea.
Finally a bear appears, and comical chaos ensues.
Animals arrive one by one, each with its own sound, and
each interacting with all the critters already on the scene.
The clever art by freelance artist and graphic designer Lisa
Downey underscores the action, and Pierce’s rhyming text
lends itself to sharing aloud.
children’s favorites, from the delightfully kid-friendly jokes in
“Goofy Knock-Knocks” and her award-winning picture book
series “Mother Goose Rhymes” to the beautifully paired stories
contrasting myth and fact in “Two Tales of Hawaii.”
For her latest offering, “Blackberry Banquet,” she has created a
yarn for youngsters to hear over and over again until they
happily recite it by heart.
It starts in a wee green wood with a mouse that reaches up
for a berry and sighs. “Squeak! Mmm-mm!” Next comes a bird.
“Tweet! Mmm-mm! Squeak! Mmm-mm!” Then a squirrel.
“Slurp! Mmm-mm! Tweet! Mmm-mm! Squeak! Mmm-mm!” You
get the idea.
Finally a bear appears, and comical chaos ensues.
Animals arrive one by one, each with its own sound, and
each interacting with all the critters already on the scene.
The clever art by freelance artist and graphic designer Lisa
Downey underscores the action, and Pierce’s rhyming text
lends itself to sharing aloud.
Enhancing the fun, publishers Sylvan Dell include a four-page educational section, which explains how
blackberries grow and when to gather them, how animals help plants, what happens when non-native vegetation
creeps into new areas — and even how to mix up a blackberry smoothie to beat the heat on a hot day.
Additionally, Sylvan Dell has “Learning Links” and cross-curricular teaching activities available online at www.
SylvanDellPub lishing.com.
Red Rock Books has scheduled a signing event for Pierce Saturday, Aug. 30, featuring a reading, special
activities for little folks and refreshments. It begins at 11 a.m. People can also contact Red Rock Books to purchase
$10 gift certificates designated to buy autographed copies of “Blackberry Banquet” to donate to children at the
Women’s Center.
On the following Wednes-day, Sept. 3, at 6:30 p.m. at High Desert Haven, Pierce will give the program for the
Ridge Writers meeting.
A Montessori pre-primary teacher for 22 years before she turned to full-time writing, Pierce has penned a total
of 17 books, teaches children’s writing workshops, is a visiting author at elementary schools, and serves on the
Ventura/Santa Bar-bara regional board of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
She says that picking blackberries with her son on a summer vacation in Oregon inspired her to write
“Blackberry Banquet” — and to master the art of baking the perfect blackberry pie.
For more about her, check out her website at www.terrypiercebooks.com and her blog at www.terrypierce.
blogspot.com.
This weekly column is presented by the Ridge Writers, the East Sierra Branch of the California Writers Club.
Meetings are held the first Wednesday evening of each month at High Desert Haven, and free programs are offered
throughout the year. Visit www.ridgenet.net/~curtdan/ridgewriters for in-formation about upcoming
programs and membership.
blackberries grow and when to gather them, how animals help plants, what happens when non-native vegetation
creeps into new areas — and even how to mix up a blackberry smoothie to beat the heat on a hot day.
Additionally, Sylvan Dell has “Learning Links” and cross-curricular teaching activities available online at www.
SylvanDellPub lishing.com.
Red Rock Books has scheduled a signing event for Pierce Saturday, Aug. 30, featuring a reading, special
activities for little folks and refreshments. It begins at 11 a.m. People can also contact Red Rock Books to purchase
$10 gift certificates designated to buy autographed copies of “Blackberry Banquet” to donate to children at the
Women’s Center.
On the following Wednes-day, Sept. 3, at 6:30 p.m. at High Desert Haven, Pierce will give the program for the
Ridge Writers meeting.
A Montessori pre-primary teacher for 22 years before she turned to full-time writing, Pierce has penned a total
of 17 books, teaches children’s writing workshops, is a visiting author at elementary schools, and serves on the
Ventura/Santa Bar-bara regional board of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
She says that picking blackberries with her son on a summer vacation in Oregon inspired her to write
“Blackberry Banquet” — and to master the art of baking the perfect blackberry pie.
For more about her, check out her website at www.terrypiercebooks.com and her blog at www.terrypierce.
blogspot.com.
This weekly column is presented by the Ridge Writers, the East Sierra Branch of the California Writers Club.
Meetings are held the first Wednesday evening of each month at High Desert Haven, and free programs are offered
throughout the year. Visit www.ridgenet.net/~curtdan/ridgewriters for in-formation about upcoming
programs and membership.
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| Book Review |
| Ridge Writers on Books ‘Blackberry Banquet’ By Terry Pierce Illustrated by Lisa Downey Hardcover, $16.95 Sylvan Dell Publishing, 2008 |
| Donna McCrohan Rosenthal |
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