Raspberries! [With CD (Audio)]

Jay O'Callahan and Will Moses's RASPBERRIES! tells of Simon, who was born to bake and whose treats are famous. When his bakery closes Simon loses his touch - until a young girl gives him some raspberry seeds to begin a new venture. A fine, warm story evolves.

Simon had a real talent for baking, but he also had a string of bad luck. Not so long ago he operated a bakery in Springfield, where his bread rose higher than anyone else's and customers traveled long distances to buy it. But when two other bakers stole all Simon's money, he became discouraged, sold the shop, and started selling eggs in a different little town. Even here misfortune seemed to find him when a bolt of lightning struck his barn, which led to the demise of his chickens. No wonder Simon pulled his hat so low and mumbled to himself. Fortunately, not everything went poorly. A young woman who Simon had treated kindly back in Springfield reciprocated this kindness with some very special raspberry seeds. Those seeds produced the most delicious raspberries which made the perfect ingredient in the most delectable tarts, and people could not refrain from jumping and shouting for joy. Perhaps Simon would even consider going back to his old occupation. Acclaimed storyteller Jay O'Callahan has written an entertaining tale which, unsurprisingly given the author, begs to be read out loud. Done in oil, the folk art illustrations add a small-town, traditional feel to the story. The book makes a fine vehicle for teaching substantive lessons in economics about producers and consumers.

I played this story endlessly for my children many years ago when they were little, until the tape wore out! So happy to find it on CD. Great story, great story teller. Fun for all ages.

We first heard this story when my children were very young. They loved it so much that we listened to it over and over. Every once in awhile I'd overhear them retelling parts of it, or shouting out "Raspberries!" as Jay does on the tape. It is a truly wonderful, magical, captivating story, which I am now ordering for my nieces and nephews.

This tape is so well done that our family is riveted every time we listen. Great for all ages who have any attention span at all. His voices are the best!