Two Old Potatoes and Me

I wasn't too enthralled with this book after the first reading, but like a beard it kind of grew on me. The youngsters with whom I shared it liked the illustrations and the creative and unusual use of fonts. None of the youngsters with whom I read this book, black or white, commented on the representation of the characters as black, an incidental detail not really important to the story. I found their lack of reaction to the characters' ethnic depiction rather interesting and refreshing. After my first reading I concluded that the use of shaped, multidirectional text was an annoying gimmick. Yet the young readers seemed to enjoy this technique, and that's what matters. A careful reading was necessary to catch all the text, as was an occasional rereading. This is also a good thing. I like that the theme of divorce and shared custody is casually weaved into the story in a matter of fact manner with no melodrama or angst. All the characters cope well with the situation without bitterness, hostility or grudges. The young girl is obviously in a loving relationship with both parents and the extended family. Midway through the book I noticed that the verb tenses abruptly change from past to present tense. This seems odd since the first part of the story is not told in flashback, and I can come up with no explanation for it. At the end of the book I enjoyed seeing so many of the harvested potatoes shaped like faces. One resembles Abe Lincoln and another looks like Mr. Magoo. In fact, Two Old Potatoes could be used to secretly administer the Rorschach test. At the end of the book is a recipe for mashed potatoes. What better ending can a book have? I can't say that this is my favorite children's book, but it is appealing on many levels and, after all, its central focus is the nurturing of the potato. The language is reasonable and the sentence lengths are short. Repetition is used skillfully to reinforce some words and develop the story. If you see this one at your local library, pick it up. I don't think you'll be sorry.

I read this book to my K-2s when I was a media specialist, and have thought of it occasionally and fondly. By chance I saw it today and renewed my appreciation for it. The simple story touches on many near'n dear topics - I like the thrifty side of getting some good out of old potatoes that would otherwise be wasted. Most modern style books featuring various fonts of differing size irk me, but I forgive that nuisance in this book because the story is strong and elemental.

A book about potatoes sprouting may seem dull compared to some of the other subject matter selling like hotcakes. How can a couple of spuds compete with magicians, aliens, and dragons? Start with a large helping of brilliant illustrations, complete with text blending in so artfully you feel you are on a treasure hunt, making sure you haven't missed any important words. Toss in a generous dollop of fun facts about raising potatoes (shriveled 'eyes'; executing beetles in a tub of soapy water; the amazing bounty yielded by two little bits of tater). Sprinkle with the slightest hint of quality time spent with loved ones. Voila! You will be rewarded with informative non-fiction masquerading as a heart-tugging, visually satisfying work of art. Enjoy!

There is such satisfaction and delight in John Coy's tale. Daughter and "part-time" dad decide to plant 2 old ("G.R.O.S.S.") potatoes with eyes sprouting like Halloween weirdos. Yet even rotting potatoes help illustrate what Life is all about: work, waiting,wisdom. During the aftermath of her parents' divorce the girl finds encouragement from nature's growth cycle, the advice of a wise grandpa, a caring father. Her personality is cultivated through lessons from the natural world. Then, following the menace of Potato Bugs, there comes the ultimate reward: that crowning comfort, mashed potatoes! For a time life's problems take a back seat for the reader, too. We see signs that many parents are working harder than ever to achieve strong relationships with their children, even in today's throwaway society. The story Minnesotan John Coy shares is enhanced by the graphic illustrations of Carolyn Fisher, delightfully crowded on page after page. This book is definitely one to keep . . . we need its optimism. There are reviews that also rate FIVE STARS: read what Grace Oliff writes for SLJ; also, Bill McAuliffe's "The Eyes Have It." REVIEWER mcHAIKU claims "ALL LIFE SHOULD HAVE A SPRINKLING OF NUTMEG!"

Personally I prefer my mashed potatoes with garlic and maybe even some herbs and parmesan cheese, and always with the skin on. But that doesn't mean John Coy's "Two Old Potatoes and Me'' doesn't hit the mark. Coy's simple story is about a father and daughter making a bucket of potatoes out of two rotten ones. But, perfectly matched by Carolyn Fisher's dense and joyous illustrations, it's also about many larger things: the miracle of nature (and sustainability), the challenges of time and patience, the complex intimacies of family, and of course the fact that grandfathers know just about everything. Given the mashed potato recipe and the strategy for dealing with potato bugs, you might want three copies of this book: one for the kids' shelf, one for the cookbook shelf, and one on the gardening table.