Blueberries for Sal

By: Robert McCloskey

Narrated by: Melba Sibrel

CALDECOTT HONOR BOOK • NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Adored by generations of readers, this gorgeously illustrated classic tells a tale of youth, curiosity, and delight as a little girl and her mother make unexpected friends while picking blueberries in the Maine countryside.

One of The Atlantic’s 65 Essential Children’s Books

“All the color and flavor of the sea and pine-covered Maine countryside.”—School Library Journal (starred review)

Kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk! Sal and her mother are 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 gentle, humorous storytelling, Blueberries for Sal will have readers of all ages rooting for their adventurous protagonist to explore, reunite, and—of course—eat more blueberries!

Critic reviews

Winner of A Caldecott Honor
A Fuse8 Top 100 Picture Book title

"All the color and flavor of the sea and pine-covered Maine countryside."—School Library Journal, starred review

Best kids book!

My wife is from Maine. And this is a classic in our family! We love Robert McCloskey!

Grandchild loved it!!

One of my grandchild’s favorite stories. He actually sat still and afterwards he discussed much of the story with me! Love it!

Wholesome!

I remember my mom reading this story to me back in the 1960's and now I'm reading it to my grandkids (and listening to it at bedtime!). It's a great story about blueberries and bears.

Annoying

I used to like this book. It was cutesy and (I thought) the PERFECT book for little kids. That was before my younger brothers heard it and started quoting it non-stop. Then it was annoying. After about 7hrs of hearing, “Sal picked all the blueberries she could reach without moving/ Sal brought her little pail to pick blueberries in and take them home and can them for next winter/Sal is a spoiled brat, who doesn’t care about anyone except herself.” I was about ready to throw the whole book out the window. Fine book. Would ONLY recommend for kids who don’t love to quote stuff.

-Sofeeah