Blueberries for Sal by Robert McClosky has a story arc that’s delightfully simple. The motivation and behavior of a mother and child mirror those of a mother bear and cub. Sal and her mother walk through the bushes of Blueberry Hill, as do a moma bear and her cub. Both mothers gather blueberries for the winter and we can relate to wildlife. Both mothers focus on the blueberry bushes. Both youngsters wander away and accidentally meet up with the wrong mom. When Sal’s mother realizes she’s accompanied by a bear cub, she’s surprised. When the mama bear sees Sal, she’s surprised. Little readers may feel tension when Sal and the cub wander, but there’s no tension written into story. Rising action is not fostered by McClosky’s drawings. The mixup is an innocent mistake quickly made right by caring mothers. Children wander unexpectedly into danger and mothers return them to safety.
