Berry Picking Picture Books

Reading books about berries and berry picking has been an annual tradition in the late spring each year. As my kids have grown, I’ve expanded our booklist to books with a bit more meat to them (no pun intended). My boys don’t yet roll their eyes at Jamberry, but it may just be nostalgia we’re holding on to. The books below are our favorites for preschool on up through the elementary years and even beyond (noted beside each title). 

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We Wait for the Sun: the Story of Young Dovey Johnson Roundtree and Her Gradmother’s Enduring Love by Dovey Johnson Roundtree & Katie McCabe; ill by Raissa Figueroa. (preschool to middle school– yup!). This beautiful picture book is one part rich sensory experience and one part inspirational biography. The story is a retelling of Dovey’s memory of waking at dawn with her grandmother to pick berries, welcoming the sunrise side by side with full hearts and berry-stained cheeks. The illustrations are gorgeous and luminous, adding to the beauty of the memory. This, the bulk of the pages of the book, could be shared with young listeners. At the conclusion of the story, however, is another rich gem– the four-page author’s note is a well rounded biography that includes many photographs of Dovey Mae Johnson Roundtree and her grandmother, Rachel Millis Bryant Graham. Both heartbreaking in parts and inspirational, these women’s lives are passionate examples of advocating for justice and of strength in the face of inequality and ugliness. Their lives deserve to have a spotlight shined on them for their trailblazing work in the civil rights movement.

Blueberries for the Queen by John & Katherine Paterson; ill by Susan Jeffers. (early-mid elementary) Blueberries are a sideline character in this story, but we thought it was worth a place on this list! Based on a true story from WWII era about a boy who wants to do “war work” but learns the value of “peace work” via blueberries. Includes a historical note at the story’s conclusion.

The First Strawberries: A Cherokee Story retold by Joseph Bruchac. (preschool-mid elementary) “To this day, when the Cherokee people eat strawberries, they are reminded to always be kind to each other; to remember that friendship and respect are as sweet as the taste of ripe, red berries.” Should I have issued a spoiler alert? Thus ends this retelling of a Cherokee legend that explains the appearance of berries as an offering by the earth to aid in reconciling a wife to her husband who seeks forgiveness for harsh words spoken. 

Sweet Strawberries by Phyllis Reynolds Taylor. (early-mid elementary) Strawberries aren’t the star of this story, but the tale is as sweet as a summer berry for sure! A cranky husband and his longsuffering wife take their weekly trip to market, the husband complaining all the way and refusing his wife’s request to buy sweet strawberries. She rightly puts him in his place for his foul temper, and he rights his attitude the following week. The lesson of our perspectives & attitudes shaping our experiences is well taught! 

Classic Berry Stories for Younger Listeners:

Blueberries for Sal

Jamberry

The Poky Little Puppy (while not about berries, I love this story from my own childhood so much that I make the stretch to include it since strawberry shortcake dessert is featured)

The Grey Lady and the Strawberry Snatcher

Peter in Blueberry Land

Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes

The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear

Do you pair berries with delicious books?? Connect with me in the comments below or on my Instagram or Facebook accounts!