Product Description

Moose discovers a very big cabbage in his garden that could win first prize at the Alaska State Fair. But there's a problem -- it's so huge he can't lift it! Various animal friends stop to help, and through teamwork and positive attitude, they succeed. An old Russian folktale about a large turnip inspired The Giant Cabbage, but this contemporary version uses verbal and visual twists that showcase its Alaska setting. Comical repetitions, fun words, and vivid animal characters bring the story to life, and there's even a recipe for a scrumptious cabbage stew to be cooked in a giant pot!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #327037 in Books
• Published on: 2003-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 32 pages

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2-Another twist on the familiar Russian folktale, "The Turnip." Moose's giant cabbage is a shoo-in for a prize at the fair, but he can't budge it on his own. A parade of animals drops by to help, including a bear, wolf, fox, hare, porcupine, squirrel, and vole. By working together, they finally load the enormous vegetable into Moose's truck and ride off to the fair, where the cabbage takes first prize. The friends return home to celebrate and cook up a giant pot of cabbage soup. There is no shortage of recent "Turnip" variations that make excellent read-alouds. Aubrey Davis's The Enormous Potato (Kids Can, 1997) and Jan Peck's The Giant Carrot (Dial, 1998) are two examples. This title, while also highly readable, makes its contribution to the field through its depiction of Alaskan wildlife. At story's end, Stihler includes source notes, information about Alaskan vegetables (the "midnight sun" allows them to grow to record size), and a recipe for Moose's cabbage soup. Trammell's cheerful, paint-and-pen artwork sets a cast of friendly looking animals in a verdant landscape. Alternating spot and full-spread illustrations add to the dramatic effect, and the repeated words "big," "huge," and "GIANT" are printed in successively larger typefaces. The text is a bit long, however, and the bulk of it appears in rather small print. Still, this enjoyable title is a solid addition.
Eve Ortega, Cypress Library, CA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Upbeat and whimsical
Entertainingly written by Cherie B. Stihler and delightfully illustrated by Jeremiah Trammel, The Giant Cabbage: An Alaska Folktale is a playful story about a hard-working moose who is determined to enter the biggest and best cabbage he can grow into the Giant Cabbage contest. But the cabbage he grows is so big it can hardly be moved - what is everyone to do? The Giant Cabbage is an upbeat, whimsical and enthusiastically recommended picture book tale which will have special appeal for children ages 3 to 8.

Editor Wee Ones
Truly a charming book that children ages 3-8 will enjoy. Moose has a problem. He grew a huge cabbage but cannot get it to the fair. It is just too BIG! Fortunately, Moose has some very special friends who are more than happy to lend a helping hand. When everyone pushes the cabbage, they accomplish a HUGE feat. They move the cabbage onto the truck and take it to the fair.

Fortunately, Moose's friends have ENORMOUS hearts too and so does Moose when he shares his cabbage after the fair. This is a great book about friendship and helping others. The illustrations are wonderfully sweet. The text is easy to read and children will appreciate the repetitive words that make this story fun to read.

Midnight Sun Cabbage
Very nice children's book. Good story, outstanding illustrations. Makes me long for Alaska, the Tanana Valley and State Fairs and the sunny summer nights. The Moose's Cabbage Soup Recipe was yummy!