“ 'Sap’s rising!’ Grandpa shouts. The family cheers and claps mittened hands.” So begins maple syrup season for the Brockwell family. Cousins, moms, dads, and grandparents all lend a hand in the multi-step process for making maple syrup. From tapping trees to hanging buckets and from boiling sap to testing the grade, this age-old harvest is described in clear and friendly language. Pastoral artwork shows inviting scenes of the snowy woods and the steamy sugarhouse, while a contemporary feel is portrayed through the family’s winter wear and the modern machinery. A variety of creative page layouts offer different perspectives for viewing the syrup-making timeline, including the tangential antics of sugar-thirsty woodland creatures. Before all the fresh syrup is bottled up, the family takes a break to make some maple taffy in the snow—a sweet reward for all their hard work. While the illustrations make this look like a picture book story, the tone of the text is more informational. Together, pictures and words offer a cozy and inviting glimpse at a family tradition and an accessible introduction to food production. Information on maple syrup lore and a maple syrup glossary are included. (Ages 5–9)

Pancake and waffle-loveing readers will eat up this process picture book with a behind-the-scenes look at making a much-loved treat.Sap's rising! It's officially maple syrup season at the Brockwell family farm. There will be a lot to do, from hammering spouts into the maple trees to gathering, pouring, and boiling the sap. But the whole family will help together, and when all of the work is done, there will be a sweet and tasty treat.Maple syrup is a favorite breakfast treat for many children. Ann Purmell satisfies young readers' curiosities by showing the in-depth process of making syrup.Jill Weber's cheerful artwork portrays a family working together to achieve a goal, alongside cozy and humorous forest animals who occasionally "help" with the process.Teachers are always looking for process books that tell how familiar products are made.