The Enormous Potato

Energetic illustrations and a new voice put a fresh spin on a classic folk tale.

Children's Literature

Petricic's bold, colorful watercolor and pencil illustrations lend a suitable Old World flavor to this retelling of a common folk tale. The classic cumulative tale, which in this instance describes the planting, growing and ultimate harvest of a giant potato, has previously been related in several other pictures books about similar carrots, turnips and other vegetables. Since the story is so short, there is not much that can be done to change the tale itself, but this particular version is cute and well-illustrated, and will serve well those searching for a new copy of this popular yarn.

Aubrey Davis is a Toronto author and storyteller. He likes to tell and write puzzling, often funny tales that make people think. His last book, Bagels from Benny, has won the Canadian Jewish Book Award (children's literature) and the Sydney Taylor Award from the Association of Jewish Libraries.

Dusan Petric is an award-winning children's book designer and illustrator whose books include The Enormous Potato and Lickety-Split. He lives in Toronto, Ontario.