One Morning in Maine (Picture Puffins)

Sweet book that I bought for my granddaughter and to read to students, but I find it rather dull. Not sure how it is a classic, perhaps boomers who remember it as children, it has not worn well - in my view.

Our four year old lost her first tooth yesterday. I surprised her with this book as a celebratory first lost tooth gift. It's a story about Sal (as in a slightly more grown up Sal from "Blueberries For Sal") a girl who wakes up and discovers her tooth is loose. She goes about her day learning that it means she is becoming a "big girl" and wonders who else and what else loses their baby teeth. Birds? Clams? Seals? It was the perfect book to gift for the first lost tooth and a great book to read any day. #kidsbooksworthreading #kidsbook #kidsbooks #picturebook #kidlit #childrensliterature #kidsbookstagram #robertmccloskey #onemorninginmaine #caldecott #caldecotthonor #vikingpress

This book is proof that the "true" meaning of childhood isn't all about lavish birthday parties, trips to Chuck E. Cheese, or the endless line-up of animated cartoons and millions of toys and comic books based on them. It is about HOW you spent your earliest years. This means you could grow up in Alaska (like me!) or woodsy islands off Maine like two young heroines in this award-winning children's picture book created in 1952 by Robert McCloskey, who is famous for his other children's book, "Make Way For Ducklings".

Sal (well-known star of the earlier book, "Blueberries for Sal" and likely modeled after the author's real-life daughter at the time) enjoys her morning adventure on the slippery seaweed-carpeted rocks, digging for clams with her dad (where she lost her very first tooth that had fallen out), and of course, the big trip in a real boat across the open waters to a small village on another island for groceries and to repair the boat's motor, which had failed right before the outing. Here young Sal gets to show off the gap in her teeth to the friendly-looking chaps hanging around the little shop as well as a treat of ice cream cone to eat, too!

Lovingly and realistically rendered in what looks like charcoal with a little bit of cartooning ink, the story and the pictures offer nostalgia and a sense of warm, homely environment and strong family ties as well as the child-like wonder and unspoiled innocence of growing up in the setting of a 1950s New England coastal town. :)

This book continues the story of Sal (from Blueberries for Sal) by introducing her father and younger sister, Jane. The book was a Caldecott Honoree as one of the best illustrated children's books in 1953.
Sal wakes up on a beautiful Maine morning. She realizes that "today is the day I am going to Buck's Harbor with my father." She is very excited. But first, she helps her little sister brush her teeth. While doing this, Sal notices that one of her front teeth felt loose. She is concerned.
Her mother reassures Sal in a very nice way that this meant that Sal is becoming a big girl. Sal also learns that she could put the tooth under her pillow when it comes out and make a wish. But she should not tell anyone what the wish is, or it would not come true. She makes her wish.
In the meantime, she needs to help her father dig for clams before they can take the boat to Buck's Harbor. Along the way, she sees many birds and animals and wonders about their teeth.
Finally reaching her father, she helps him dig. She finds a small clam, which has to be put back. Her father tells her that clams and birds do not have teeth, but seals do.
Suddenly, Sal realizes her tooth is gone. It's not in her mouth and it's not anywhere around! They look all through the mud, but have no luck. Eventually, they have to give up if they want to get to Buck's Harbor. So they head back with the clams for her mother. Sal picks up a gull's feather.
Once her father and sister and she are in the boat, they discover that the engine won't run. So her father has to row. Along the way, they talk about how a new feather will grow in to replace the feather Sal has. Sal wonders if the feather has a wish still in it to be used. She helps her sister make a wish on it.
When they get to town, her father discovers at the garage that the engine needs to have its spark plug replaced. So here's another thing that needs changing.
At the store, they discuss the lost tooth and the kindly owner gives Sal and Jane each an ice cream cone, just what they had each wished for! Jane decides she wants another one, but Sal admonishes her. "Remember, Jane, two ice-cream cones would ruin your appetite. When we get home we're going to have CLAM CHOWDER FOR LUNCH!"
This is the best book I have ever seen for taking the potential upset out of losing a first tooth. Many children do eventually lose a tooth without being able to find it. The book wisely deals with that issue as well. Anyone can do an outstanding job of handling the tooth crisis by having read this book to her or his child in advance.
The family life portrayed is very idyllic. Everyone is kind, thoughtful, and happy (even when things go wrong). For many children, this image will be a good contrast with whatever tiny domestic disturbances may occur in your household. As such, it will help any child relax before sleeping.
I admired the black-and-white pencil sketches very much. They build the mood wonderfully, even more than the words do. You will feel like you are away on vacation on a small island in Maine in the summer. Now, what could be nicer?
After you read this book, you should obviously share your own tooth loss experiences and let your child inspect your adult teeth. You can also add stories about animals that molt their skin and the trees that lose their leaves. Just emphasize that this is all progress.
Also, ask your child what activities she or he would most like to do with you and his or her other parent. You may be surprised! Be sure to allocate more time to do these things together.
See the potential for improvement in every change!

This book, along with Robert McCloskey's other books, were some of my childhood favorites. This one is a companion piece for Blueberries for Sal. It is a book filled with the wonder and innocence of childhood. It is also beautifully illustrated.

It paints a lovely picture of the beautiful state of Maine. It also paints a picture of a simpler time when worries seemed far away. Sal is the quintessential girl who is going through the rite of passage through childhood. There is a delightful scene when she loses one of her teeth while mucking for clams.

This book can be easily read by young children, though I loved it when my mother read it to me before I could read. I have such a warm memory of those days when my mom was such a nurturing presence in my life. Perhaps you will be able to create such a memory for your own child.

Davis Aujourd'hui, author of the humorous "The Misadventures of Sister Mary Olga Fortitude"

This is a wonderful book that takes place in Maine. It is about a little girl and her adventures of trying to lose her tooth to actually loosing it, in the mud and not being able to find it. Her day is packed full with wonderful things to do such as getting ice cream, playing by the sea, helping her dad claming. Even though she does not end up being able to put her tooth under her pillow for the tooth fairy, she comes to understand that there will be more teeth and more chances to put one under her pillow. I really enjoy this book because I think it captures the wonders of Maine and the beauty of living in Maine so well, I also like the illustrations. This book would be great to introduce different states to children. The children learn that little losses are easy to get over and they just make them stronger and more prepared next time something hard comes in their path

One Morning in Maine is a wonderful sequel to the children's book Blueberries for Sal. These endearing books have fascinating stories. My grandson loves both books. And I have never seen a more beautifully illustrated children's book than One Morning in Maine.

A fabulous transaction and as smooth as silk. It is a used book, but apparently it is also out of print. It was purchased for a young couple by a gentleman who would read the story to his own children. It didn't hurt that there was a personal insciptipted note to a granddaughter who would visit Bucksport, Maine!

This book, along with Blueberries for Sal and Time of Wonder, by the same author, were some of my favorite books as a child growing up in Maine. I loved them because the children did things I did---dug for clams, picked blueberries, took boat rides to get ice cream, played on the rocky shore and on and on! I loved the pictures because they are so detailed and realistic. This book in particular was a favorite because it was about an older Sal than in Blueberries for Sal, dealing with the universal excitement of losing a first tooth. I love her relationship with her younger sister Jane, who is drawn as one of the most adorable toddlers around. If you are looking for a calm and wholesome in the best way book for your child, this might be one you want to consider.

There are lots of books about loosing teeth now, all of them more recent than this one, which remains one of the best.

Most of the newer stories revolve around the tooth fairy. They're good.

But in this one, there's no fairy --- and no tooth.

Sal's loose tooth falls into the mud while she's clamming on the way to Buck's Harbor.

The bad news is that she can't find the tooth. The good news is that life goes on, Sal learns about seagulls molting their feathers and she learns how to accept a little loss.

She makes a wish and gets an ice cream. In our house, the tooth fairy sometimes got lost. But the kids learned from Sal that little losses are nothing, and life does go on.

--- Alyssa A. Lappen

My father, originally a New Yorker, who has relocated to Maine about five times in his life because he could never leave it for long, loves to share this book with his grandchildren. If one of them loves the book, it is a happy day for Dad. First of all, the simple but beautiful illustrations really look like Maine. Much of Maine does look like a pen-and-ink sketch, and McCloskey captures that beautifully. Even the scenes that take place indoors look like Maine! Since I haven't lived in Maine myself for many, many years, I find these lovely drawings very nostalgic. And how fun is it to know that Condon's store and Condon's garage were real places? I believe Robert McCloskey even gave his characters some very authentic Maine personalities. Mainers are great -- not sugary sweet and very reserved, but lovely just the same, and that's how the various adults in this story are presented. But you don't have to have a Maine connection to love this book. It is a wonderful way to introduce very little kids to the fact that they will lose a tooth when they are five or six, and a reading of this book is a fun way to celebrate a lost tooth. Anyone can enjoy the illustrations, which are simplistic and highly detailed at the same time, and it is a nice family tale with a father-daughter theme. Our youngest son loves for his Poppy George to read it whenever they are together, and they often top off a reading with a visit to a restaurant to order a bowl of clam chowder (a food that his mentioned on the last page of this book). My poor father actually dislikes clam chowder, but our son eats it in his honor because of this story, and it is a way for them to bond thanks to One Morning in Maine. Hey, if a book can make one of my kids Grandchild No. 1, I have to give it five stars.

I constantly took this book out of my school library in the 3rd grade until my mother bought me my own copy. It has been safely kept for my daughter and now her children. Perfect for any young explorer especially those on the coast.

I love McCloskey's pictures- they enhance the story so much.
This book reminds me of a trip to Isleboro when I was about
Sally's age.

It's a great gift for a child of a friend, or for one of your
own. In fact, I am going to purchase one of these for myself
to have and read, in case I have children who visit!

The artwork is great. The story, while long and a bit dated, has broad appeal. Even if today's kids cannot relate to a "back to nature" scenario they will surely become more engaged the next time you take them to the beach or on a boat and they will be excited to lose their teeth.

This is a classic that should be in every home where children reside or visit.

This book is a beautiful picture book, and I still enjoy looking at it. The pictures are gorgeous. And this isn't a cheesy book. It's a wonderful story for children, and I highly recommend it! Buy it. You won't be disappointed.

This book truely dipicts coastal Maine life in the 60's and 70's. I can astest to this fact as I my self grew up only a few miles away from Buck's Harbor, visited Mr. Condon's Garage, and bought sodas at the small Mom and Pops store in the Village where Sal and Jane got thier ice creams. And to top it off gone fishing in Bucks Harbor with my own farther.
I love this book. If you would like to know about being a young girl on the Coast of Maine, or share the expirience with your children. Please read One Morning In Maine, By Robert McCloskey. I would also recomend, Blue Berries for Sal, and A time of Wonder, also By Mr. McCloskey.

The Saturday Review's review of "One Morning In Maine" cited in the Book Description must surely have come from a 1952 edition of the magazine. Without even a blush of doubt---and McCloskey's pronouns notwithstanding---the reviewer assumed Sal is a boy.

This is a family favorite, and we bought this copy for a birthday gift for a five year old. Fan of Blueberries for Sal will delight in another Sal adventure (and she is accompanied by her younger sister Jane in this companion book). Sal wakes up and discovers she has her first loose tooth, and then loses it while digging for clams with her dad. The simple line drawings are lovely, and the language and imagery in this book are so rich. This book has such a rich depiction of life in coastal Maine that it always leaves me craving clam chowder! This is a classic and shouldn't be missed, but is especially perfect for children experiencing a first loose tooth or a family trip to Maine. I would recommend this for ages 4-7.

Wonderful story, great illustrations. I bought this book to give to my 1-year-old great-niece. What I love most about "One Morning in Maine" is that it is about two girls who are just like most girls--looking for adventure and doing the best they can every day.