Pickle-Chiffon Pie by Jolly Roger Bradfield

 

A rediscovered classic from 60s, Pickle-Chiffon Pie is that rare beast, a completely silly picture book with fantastic illustrations and an important message.  Jolly Roger Bradfield has created his own fairytale world complete with a princess, several princes, a quest, and an enchanted forest. 

When the princess can’t decide which prince to marry, her father sends them on a quest into the enchanted forest to bring back the most wonderful thing they can find.  A fairly standard premise turns wacky with the addition of four-wheeled Dimdoozles, lions juggling root beer cans, sixteen-footed Gazoos, mice painting Picassos, Three-nosed Snozzles, and of course, Pickle-Chiffon pie.  The book, while silly and fun, also shows the importance of, as Bradfield puts it, “kindness and love and consideration for others…truly THE MOST WONDERFUL THING OF ALL.”

Also check out Bradfield's Pickle-Chiffon Pie Olympics!

for ages 4-8

- reviewed by Anna from Books Inc. Chestnut Street