Pickle-Chiffon Pie

My brother was given this book almost 35 years ago. I shamelessly filched it. Since then I have surely read tens of thousands of books. But I can say with utmost confidence that this book is the best, the most perfect, the MOST WONDERFUL book ever written. I have read it to my own children and to their school classes in their turn. It withstands the ongoing test of time and variety of children. It lives in tape-bound glory in an honored spot on the bookshelf. At night you can see a faint halo. So what makes this the perfect book? Firstly, it flawlessly follows the immutable Fairy Tale Law of Three giving it that well-grounded solidity found in generations of three aspirants/sisters/brothers/ogres/bears/billy goats gruff, three encounters, three days, three chances, etc. Secondly, it is a rich and engaging story without being wordy or trendy. But thirdly, there's the sense of rightness, of contentment at the state of a well-run world, the desire to go whisking off to that happy kingdom as the last page is regretfully turned. Also, there's pie. (After wondering for years what a Pickle Chiffon Pie actually tastes like and being prodded by questions from my own children, I conducted extensive research. I found that Pickle Chiffon Pie tastes mysteriously JUST LIKE a green-tinted lemon meringue pie. My children, their classmates, and I were pleased.)

As a child, I loved the pictures. I can still see the giant caterpillar wearing a different shoe on each foot, the mice painting pictures, the lion on roller skates juggling cans of rootbeer-soup, the giant, the ogre... and the great, big tear dripping down the snozzle's nose. As an adult, I still find myself admiring kindness and consideration more than looks or education. It's a beautiful story and fun for kids. Lots of Bradfield's other books are in print; why not this one?!

A beautifully written tale of compassion and love, Pickle Chiffon Pie, is easily one of the best children's books ever written. It centers around three princes' quest to win the hand of a princess, each relying on their best qualities; strenghth, intelligence and kindness. In the end the kind prince wins over the princess and "they live happily ever after". A wonderful treat for children and adults alike. A true treasure!

When I was growing up, my mother read this story to me over and over. No other book from my childhood stands out in my memory the way this one does. The timeless lessons in generosity and graciousness are ones I would love to share with my own children if I can find a copy of the book.

A king had a daughter with too many suitors. They would bring gifts and she would invite them to stay for dinner. That ment less Pickle-Chiffon Pie for the king. He decided to put the three nicest princes to a test...'The one who brings back the most unusual, the most marvelous, the MOST WONDERFUL THING' from the forest 'may marry the Princess.'This is the first book I ever read. I was 6 when my sister bought it for me, and now my son reads it. It is 'a story of kindness and consideration for others'...something that has endured throughout the generations.