“All the color and flavor of the sea and pine-covered Maine countryside.”—School Library Journal

Here are some tips for bringing a beloved classic into your early childhood classroom

Few picture books have endured the way Blueberries for Sal has. Since Robert McCloskey first published it in 1948, generations of children have fallen in love with little Sal and her berry-picking adventures on a Maine hillside. And now, a new board book edition means even the youngest readers can enjoy it. Whether you’re reading it aloud for the first time or returning to it as a classroom staple, this story offers rich opportunities across literacy, science, social-emotional learning, and the arts.
Here are practical tips for making the most of it in your classroom.

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“Great books don’t just tell stories — they open doors to conversation, curiosity, and connection.”

Before You Read
Set the scene before opening the book. Ask students if they’ve ever gone berry picking, or picked something from a garden. What sounds did the berries make? This activates prior knowledge and builds excitement. This is especially true for the book’s delightful onomatopoeia: kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk!

Pre-Reading Tips
Show the cover and ask: “What do you think will happen in this story?” Chart predictions on the board. Introduce the word parallel. Explain that two similar things will happen at the same time in this book. Talk briefly about Maine and its seasons to build background knowledge about why families and animals prepare food for winter.

During Reading
Invite students to chime in on the repeated sound words. Once children hear “kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk” the first time, they’ll be eager to say it with you every time it appears. Repetition like this builds phonological awareness naturally and joyfully. Pause at the midpoint. When Sal wanders to the other side of the hill, ask students what they notice. Who is following whom? This is a wonderful moment to introduce the concept of parallel structure in storytelling and to build comprehension by tracking two storylines at once.

During Reading Tips
Use a T-chart on the board labeled “Sal’s Side” and “Bear Cub’s Side” and fill it in together as you read. Draw attention to McCloskey’s expressive line drawings. Ask what students notice about the bears’ expressions and body language. For older students (ages 5–7), pause and ask: “How do you think each mother feels right now?”

After You Read
The story’s gentle humor (each mother momentarily ends up with the wrong little one) opens the door to great conversation about family, care, and belonging. It’s also a natural entry point into discussions about wildlife and how animals prepare for winter.

Discussion Questions
Why did Sal’s mother and the mother bear both go to Blueberry Hill?
How are Sal and the bear cub alike? How are they different?
What do you think would have happened if the mothers hadn’t found their own children?
Have you ever gotten separated from someone you were with? How did it feel?

Extension Activities
The book lends itself beautifully to cross-curricular activities that keep the magic going well after story time.

Art
Try blue crayon or watercolor resist drawings in the style of McCloskey’s illustrations.
Have students draw their own “two sides of the hill.” This shows two parallel events from their own lives.

Science & Nature
Explore how bears prepare for hibernation and why they eat so much in autumn.
Discuss where blueberries grow and what it means to “put food up” for winter. This is a great intro to food preservation and seasons.

Writing & Language Arts
Ask students to write or dictate a sentence about a time they helped their family do something together. Collect other onomatopoeia words as a class and make a sound word wall. For older students: write an alternate ending or a sequel from the bear cub’s point of view.

Sensory & Math
Bring in blueberries (fresh or dried) for a counting and sorting activity.
Graph how many blueberries fit in different containers. This is great for hands-on measurement exploration.

Why This Book Still Matters
In an age of digital everything, Blueberries for Sal is a quiet, tender reminder of what childhood can feel like. It is unhurried, rooted in nature, and full of small discoveries. Its parallel structure makes it a sophisticated literary text for young readers, while its warmth makes it feel like a hug. It’s the kind of book that students ask to hear again and again, and that teachers are happy to read one more time.

Whether you’re using it with toddlers in the new board book edition or with first graders diving into story elements, Blueberries for Sal rewards every read. Kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk. Enjoy!

Book at a Glance
Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey  |  Board Book & Picture Book  |  Ages 3–7  |  Caldecott Honor Book  |  First published 1948