Pot Luck

Tobias, Tobi

ISBN 10: 0688098258 ISBN 13: 9780688098254

Publisher: Lothrop Lee & Shepard, 1993

Synopsis

When Grandma invites her old friend Sophie over for a pot luck dinner, Grandma and Rachel spend hours cooking, cleaning, and baking, and Rachel realizes that pot luck for Sophie is more special than for anyone else.

About this title

From Kirkus Reviews:

When Sophie telephones, Gram urges her to come to dinner ``today''--but ``you'll have to take pot luck.'' Gram defines the term for Rachel, then (to Rachel's puzzlement) spends the day shopping, preparing a festive meal, and tidying the house. The two women--whose friendship goes back to Poland, where it weathered the period when the boys ``were all after Sophie first''--spend a happy evening chatting, Rachel comfortably included. Still, she's puzzled, so as she and Gram snuggle into bed, Gram explains: ``A woman like Sophie Paderewski...you don't feed last night's stew.'' Perfectly reflecting the household's aura of competence and coziness, Malone's scribbly pencil lines- -as pleasantly relaxed as Gram's disheveled hair as she bustles about her kitchen--are warmed with watercolors in delicately faded earth tones. A charming story, with spirited realistic dialogue that's especially entertaining read aloud. (Picture book. 4-8) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal:

PreSchool-Grade 2-- A lovely celebration of food, friends, and love, this is a delightful story of the night Gram's old friend, Sophie, comes for dinner. Although Rachel hears her tell Sophie over the phone that she'll have to take "pot luck," the preparations for her last-minute visit are energetic and extensive. First there's shopping to do, then cooking, setting the table, and finally getting dressed. As they get ready, Gram tells Rachel a little bit about her life in the old country, when she and Sophie were young. Gram is a hearty, old-fashioned Jewish grandmother--no wilted vegetables, store-bought cakes, or white rice for her! Readers will almost smell the wonderful feast she creates, and they'll sense the special, easy-going affection between Gram and Rachel. The illustrations are warm and cozy, too. A satisfying, flavorful story that will evoke many sweet memories. --Cyrisse Jaffee, formerly at Newton Public Schools, MA
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Lothrop Lee & Shepard
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 0688098258
• ISBN 13: 9780688098254
• Binding: Library Binding
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 1
• Illustrator: Malone Nola Langner