Partridgeberry, Redberry, Lingonberry, Too

A Review of a Delightful Picture Resource Book by Ellen Bryan Obed

Oct 13, 2008

A moth, Grapholita libertina, tells about the seasons of its life cycle, the seasons of the partridgeberry fruit, and the seasons of the people who harvest the berries.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, children have long been told by their elders not to eat unripe partridgeberry fruit because they contain worms. Some people heed this, others do not. Popular belief is that the first hard frost drives the worms out, making it safe to harvest the berries.

Ellen Bryan Obed’s well-researched and entertaining book, Partridgeberry, Redberry, Lingonberry, Too, settles all of the issues surrounding worms in partridgeberry fruit. The moth, Grapholita libertina, invites the reader in, telling the whole story of her relationship to this beautiful, tasty berry.

The tone of this book is conversational and light-hearted, with scientific information being presented in clear, simple language. Blocks of text are small and interspersed with beautiful photographs, whimsical illustrations by Jerry Stelmok, and heartwarming artwork by Newfoundland and Labrador children. The entire layout of the book is a treat to the eye.

Ellen Bryan Obed

Ellen Obed lives in Maine and is the author of several books. One of them, Borrowed Black, has appeared in thirteen editions and been translated into seven languages.

Obed lived in Labrador for ten years, where she taught school and researched the local flora. She has published another book on berries called Blackberry land, Crowberry Sky.

Her book, A letter From the Snow, has received the Maine Chapbook Award. Two other works, Borrowed Black and Little Snowshoe, have received the Canadian Children’s Book Centre "Our Choice" Award.

Seasons of the Partridgeberry

Grapholita libertina starts her story by providing a wealth of information about the partridgeberry. She describes where it grows in the world, different names that it goes by, and the different stages of the fruit. The moth also explains that her story takes place in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The book continues with Grapholita libertina telling the story of her life cycle. She uses language that is easy to understand to describe her relationship with the partridgeberry. The moth explains why people don’t pay attention to her until the larva is living in the berry.

The accompanying photographs and illustrations show exactly what the fruitworm is doing when it is in the berry. They show clearly why the moth is named Grapholita (writer) libertina (free). She calls herself a freelance writer.

Seasons of the People who Harvest the Partridgeberry Fruit

Grapholita libertina’s story is followed by a description of the people who harvest the partridgeberry fruit. The book is rich in cultural anecdotes and information, which show how this berry is an important part of history and life in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Student Letters and Drawings

The last section of the book is a selection of letters and drawings by children from communities in Newfoundland and Labrador. In these delightful additions, the children illustrate their own adventures with the partridgeberry fruit, relating family and cultural anecdotes. It is a perfect way to end off the story of Grapholita libertina and her relationship to this tasty berry.

Partridgeberry, Redberry, Lingonberry, Too is more than just an entertaining picture book. It is filled with a wealth of scientific and cultural information, which is presented in a captivating and easily understood style.

This book is a worthwhile addition to the library of anyone who loves berries and Newfoundland and Labrador.

The copyright of the article Partridgeberry, Redberry, Lingonberry, Too in Children's Non-Fiction is owned by Stella Walsh. Permission to republish Partridgeberry, Redberry, Lingonberry, Too in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.