At Grandpa's Sugar Bush

Barbara Robertson is the author of Wilfrid Laurier: The Great
Conciliator and the co-author of The Well-Filled Cupboard.

At Grandpa’s Sugar Bush is a plain and clearly told story about a boy
helping his grandfather make maple syrup, from drilling a hole in the
first maple tree “on the southeast side” because the “sun warms
that side first,” through the gathering and boiling, and culminating
in—no surprises here—pancakes with maple syrup for breakfast. Along
the way there is a certain amount of nature observed—red squirrels
chattering, pileated woodpeckers drumming, the first robin of spring
singing, and snowfleas gathering in footprints. It is all very
unpretentious, though the book is expensively produced. The
illustrations are extremely handsome, conveying very well the character
of an Ontario sugar bush in late winter, in sunlight, shadow, and by
moonlight.

Though lacking anything resembling drama and by no means overloaded
with information, this is a pleasant book that could be read to children
younger than 6, and read by children slightly older. Recommended.