The Pickleman from Bickleton!

The Pickleman from Bickleton! by Peter B. Lewis is a delightful, whimsical, and colorfully illustrated poetry book for Children that celebrates the joy of pickling and the importance of preserving food. The story revolves around Bruce, an angry-looking onion with a passion for pickling, who becomes known as the Pickleman. He shares his expertise with a boy, teaching him how to make vats of pickles using spruce wood. The story takes us on a journey through the different stages of pickling, from cucumbers to peppers, carrots, and asparagus. The story follows various characters who visit the Pickleman's farm, including Mr. Giggleton “on the road to Laffland, you know, / In the state of Joy, / Where we go with the flow,” who becomes addicted to his pickles, and One-Eyed Jack, who paddles his kayak to Bickleton to try them. As the story unfolds, adventures increase, including the Wiggleton Wrangler's hiccups while shearing sheep and a group of dancing pigs from Tiggity Rig performing for nickels and pickles. Ultimately, One-Eyed Jack returns home with a kayak full of pickles for his family and friends.

Peter B. Lewis’ book is filled with colorful characters. Readers will enjoy the lyrical style and poetic utterances imbued with strong imagery and humor. The rhymes are expertly delivered, and readers will never feel forced. The characters are interesting and realistic. There's the Wiggleton Wrangler, who gets hiccups while shearing sheep, and One-Eyed Jack, who paddles his kayak to Bickleton to try the famous pickles. The story is full of clever wordplay, rhyme, and meter, making it a joy to read aloud. Alliteration and assonance augment the whimsical nature of the narrative and can be used to introduce young readers to poetry. The vibrant and colorful illustrations bring the characters and scenes to life. The Pickleman from Bickleton! features themes of sustainability, community, and the importance of preserving food. The Pickleman's use of spruce wood for his pickle vats highlights the connection between nature and food preservation. The community aspect is evident through the various characters' love for the Pickleman's pickles and their willingness to share them with others. Overall, it is a stunningly imagined and expertly accomplished tale with mind-blowing illustrations and characters that provide fun company.