Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox the Great Pancake Adventure

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· 127 ratings · 36 reviews

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Sep 05, 2012 Barbara rated it really liked it

In this version of the tall tale about Paul Bunyan and his blue ox Babe, the two friends just about eat Paul's mother out of house and home because of their love for pancakes. They take off in search of fortune and more pancakes and end up saving the day by consuming all the pancakes they could eat after an accident causes flour to spill from a truck. The two of them are even responsible for carving out the Grand Canyon when Babe chased after a pancake. Eventually, they become sick from their li In this version of the tall tale about Paul Bunyan and his blue ox Babe, the two friends just about eat Paul's mother out of house and home because of their love for pancakes. They take off in search of fortune and more pancakes and end up saving the day by consuming all the pancakes they could eat after an accident causes flour to spill from a truck. The two of them are even responsible for carving out the Grand Canyon when Babe chased after a pancake. Eventually, they become sick from their limited dietary choices and return home for a nutritious meal. Although the story seemed a bit long-winded for my taste, it's nice to have another version of the adventures of this man who was larger than life and had a bit of a taste for sweet foods. The gouache illustrations sparkle and add even more eye-appeal to this funny story. My favorite illustration showed Paul's words freezing as they come out of his move, and this line tickled me too: "They say you can still hear his voice in the forests there today as they thaw out" (unpaged). ...more

Aug 03, 2014 Loraine rated it really liked it

SUMMARY: In this humorous twist on a classic tale, Paul Bunyan and his best friend, Babe the Blue Ox, leave life on the farm to work for a logger who pays them with their favorite thing: pancakes! Paul and Babe tromp across the country with the logger, filling valleys with pancake batter (forming the Rocky Mountains) and chasing down pancakes blown away by the wind (creating the Grand Canyon). But when Babe starts to feel sick from eating too many pancakes, the two realize that maybe the farm, w SUMMARY: In this humorous twist on a classic tale, Paul Bunyan and his best friend, Babe the Blue Ox, leave life on the farm to work for a logger who pays them with their favorite thing: pancakes! Paul and Babe tromp across the country with the logger, filling valleys with pancake batter (forming the Rocky Mountains) and chasing down pancakes blown away by the wind (creating the Grand Canyon). But when Babe starts to feel sick from eating too many pancakes, the two realize that maybe the farm, with its variety of foods, is really the best place for them after all.
The engaging typography and illustrations, combined with the humorous and lighthearted tone, show kids the importance of eating their veggies without giving heavy-handed lessons. An author's note explains the origins of the Paul Bunyan story.

REVIEW: This humorous tall tale will definitely appeal to children. The pictures are somewhat busy and at times overwhelm the print of the story but as a read aloud for younger children it is filled with a good lesson.

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Reading Level: 4.1

Paul Bunyan and the Babe the Big Blue Ox: The Great Pancake Adventure is a spin on the classic Paul Bunyan and Babe story. In this rendition Paul and Babe leave home and are sent out to a variety of places in exchange for their beloved pancakes, but something will ultimately bring them back home.

This story of Babe and Paul is the perfect combination of text and illustrations, making it an engaging picture book. Throughout the story there are descriptive pictures that help the r

Reading Level: 4.1

This story of Babe and Paul is the perfect combination of text and illustrations, making it an engaging picture book. Throughout the story there are descriptive pictures that help the reader understand just how large Babe and Paul are, and how hard their size makes their lives. The illustrator also turns some of the text into photos that helps to spice up the story as well.

Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox: The Great Pancake Adventure is a perfect example of a unique presentation. Anytime a text can incorporate colorful imagery with words and photos, the more visually interested a reader will be. Throughout the story words are written with text, images are vibrant, and some text/words are even incorporated into the imagery. This book would be a great mentor text to demonstrate to students that the more detail and aesthetic that can be incorporated into a story, especially a picture book, the more fun it can be to read.

This mentor text could be the beginning of a classroom series on the different types of presentations. Students could compare and contrast different presentation types. At the end, they could rate the various types of presentation in the order that they believe to be the most effective.

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Nov 09, 2020 Hannah Neal rated it it was amazing

Could you possibly get paid with your favorite thing in the world to eat.....Pancakes?! This dream actually came true for Paul Bunyan and his best friend, Babe the Blue Ox. Paul Bunyan was taller than the trees and larger than life. Paul and Babe are known for being great lumber jacks. They go from their ordinary life on the farm to working for a logger. The logger agreed to pay them with pancakes. But, eating pancakes nonstop might not be the best payment like they originally thought. Paul and Could you possibly get paid with your favorite thing in the world to eat.....Pancakes?! This dream actually came true for Paul Bunyan and his best friend, Babe the Blue Ox. Paul Bunyan was taller than the trees and larger than life. Paul and Babe are known for being great lumber jacks. They go from their ordinary life on the farm to working for a logger. The logger agreed to pay them with pancakes. But, eating pancakes nonstop might not be the best payment like they originally thought. Paul and Babe learn the importance of veggies the hard way. With entertaining illustrations and a humorous tone, children will be engaged from beginning to end.
The genre of this book is Folklore and is suitable for grades 1-3. The guided reading level for this book is level M.
Some concepts or ideas you could teach with this story are vocabulary, theme, author's purpose, compare and contrast with other stories about Paul Bunyan, and character traits. I would use graphic organizers and a book of knowledge notebook to write down new vocabulary words and written responses.
This is a WOW book for me because it is such a fun, entertaining book. I think the students would really love the humor and illustrations in this book. I also love this book because it has a great moral behind it. Students will learn the significance of eating vegetables. ...more

i wanted this book to be about more than just history. its paul bunyan and literally his story. the font is fun, the colors are wide ranging, the characters are silly, its got a moral. but i wanted more. the last page regarding the authors creative path was my favorite part. i bet most kids would enjoy this book.

May 04, 2019 Paul rated it it was ok

I was hoping for a fresh take on this old tale. Instead, I got the volume turned to blaring on the visuals, and a mildly veiled tribute to listening to your mother and eating your vegetables. Working pancakes into the mix, and the landscape, made it more of a mess.

This was a very interesting take on the story of Paul Bunyan. The theme of pancakes and the beautiful illustrations really made this book engaging. It would be a great book to use when talking about folktales and exaggerated stories.

My favorite thing about this book was the little twist that was added to a popular and traditional myth. I would use this book in my class for a lesson on myths or just as a fun read.

Title: Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox: The Great Pancake Adventure
Author: Matt Luckhurst
Genre: Legend
Theme(s): Health, Creation tale
Opening line/sentence: This is the story of a man and his ox. The man's name was Paul Bunyan.
Brief Book Summary: Paul Bunyan and his ox never liked to eat healthy, they just liked Paul's mother's pancakes. They set out to find pancakes of their own. As they find their own pancakes, they help some people with logging trees and create a few landmarks on the way only Title: Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox: The Great Pancake Adventure
Author: Matt Luckhurst
Genre: Legend
Theme(s): Health, Creation tale
Opening line/sentence: This is the story of a man and his ox. The man's name was Paul Bunyan.
Brief Book Summary: Paul Bunyan and his ox never liked to eat healthy, they just liked Paul's mother's pancakes. They set out to find pancakes of their own. As they find their own pancakes, they help some people with logging trees and create a few landmarks on the way only to get sick from all the pancakes they eat.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Horn Book
K-3 Lumberjack Paul and his ox Babe love pancakes so much that they take a cross-country adventure in search of "their pancake fortune." Their obsession shapes the American countryside--for instance, they create the Rocky Mountains by nibbling on a mountain range grown out of sun-cooked pancake batter. Luckhurst's brightly colored, humorous folk art pops in this outlandish twist on a tall tale.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Kirkus Reviews
In this quirky take on the tall tale, Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox are obsessed with pancakes, but mother knows best when it comes to nutrition. Paul's mom cannot feed him and Babe enough pancakes. Throwing up her beater and spatula, she finally protests, "I have fields to tend." Paul and Babe try helping her, even though they refuse to eat the vegetables yielded. But they squish the plants with their big feet, so they are forced to leave home to seek their pancake fortune elsewhere. Cheerful gouache illustrations, which appear to be partly influenced by 1920s animated cartoons and contemporary street art, bounce with energy, driving the story forward as their adventures unfold. Paul and Babe are depicted with such bold, playful verve they could be restaurant mascots. The inclusion of colorful, hand-lettered text adds emphasis and acts as a balance to the art. In this somewhat slight retelling, their assistance clearing a logjam and the formation of both the Rocky Mountains and the Grand Canyon are directly related to their quest to get their fill of pancakes. They succeed--and get sick, just like Mom predicted. The doctor confirms it: The cure is a balanced diet; so the two turn for home and Mom's healthy, homegrown food. Perhaps not a staple, but a light, fluffy read nonetheless.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: The two reviews touch on the creation side of the story. It is surprising however, that only the Kirkus Review touches on the element of nutrition and health. Rightfully so, the reviews both talk about the vivid detail and style of the pictures.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: The strongest part of this book is definitely the illustrations. The colors and pictures certainly could keep children busy, but they also may distract from the actual story. Luckhurst also plays with his typography, curving it, changing its font, and adding banners to substantial elements of the text. Consideration of Instructional Application: This book can be used in a classroom to teach about nutrition and moderation of unhealthy foods. Teachers may also want to use it to give ideas for creative writing. After reading it, students can create their own tales about how monuments or land formations were created.
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Title: Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox: Pancake Adventure
Author: Matt Luckhurst
Illustrator:
Genre: Legend
Theme(s):
Opening line/sentence: Paul Bunyan and his friend Babe the Blue Ox are inseparable, whether out of doors, at school, or at home.
Brief Book Summary: The book is about Paul Bunyan and his friend, the ox. The two originally live and work on the farm. Then, they decide to work for a logger that pays them in pancakes. There is a lot of fictional pancake adventures that they go on. Eventu
Title: Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox: Pancake Adventure
Author: Matt Luckhurst
Illustrator:
Genre: Legend
Theme(s):
Opening line/sentence: Paul Bunyan and his friend Babe the Blue Ox are inseparable, whether out of doors, at school, or at home.
Brief Book Summary: The book is about Paul Bunyan and his friend, the ox. The two originally live and work on the farm. Then, they decide to work for a logger that pays them in pancakes. There is a lot of fictional pancake adventures that they go on. Eventually, Paul realizes he's feeling sick from eating too many pancakes. At the end, they decide to go back to the farm because it had more options of healthy eating that won't make him feel sick anymore.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Luckhurst, Matt Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox: The Great Pancake Adventure
48 pp. Abrams 2012. ISBN 978-1-4197-0420-8
(3) K-3 Lumberjack Paul and his ox Babe love pancakes so much that they take a cross-country adventure in search of "their pancake fortune." Their obsession shapes the American countryside--for instance, they create the Rocky Mountains by nibbling on a mountain range grown out of sun-cooked pancake batter. Luckhurst's brightly colored, humorous folk art pops in this outlandish twist on a tall tale.
Picture Books; Animals--Oxen; Tall tales; Pancakes
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Carla, the Education Librarian
Response to Two Professional Reviews: I think that the review is right that the story is a humorous and lively rendition of the original legend of Paul Bunyan. I also like how their adventure crosses through the American countryside because it keeps it within the country, since this is an American legend.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: I think that the story executes the humor effect very well. It really makes this story and it appeals to young readers. It focuses on a food item that most children enjoy: pancakes. The illustrations are also playful and funny. They text and illustrations complement each other effectively, in my opinion.
Consideration of Instructional Application: I think this would be a good book to have a child read independently. I think it could also be used as a read-aloud for fun, but since its so humorous and playful, I think a child would enjoy reading this book independently during down time at school. This would give a child time to practice their reading skills.
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Sep 03, 2012 Margaret Chind rated it really liked it

Originally posted on Creative Madness Mama.

Read on November 22, 2012 — I own a copy

Fun is definitely a good description for this book. The color choices and illustrations are whimsical and give a neat introduction to a classic folktale. While in my mind I do not really remember much about Paul Bunyan and his blue ox known as Babe I think that this book will be a great introduction for my girls and because of it's fun and vivid personality off the page will stick with them and any other young r

Originally posted on Creative Madness Mama.

Read on November 22, 2012 — I own a copy

I love the illustrated words and the font chosen throughout the book. It's whimsical and as I'm also teaching my oldest daughter to read, she loves pointing out the "fun" letters.

This review was originally posted on Creative Madness Mama. ...more

Paul Bunyan and his blue Ox, Babe, love to eat pancakes. They refuse to eat veggies or fruits despite mom's warning that only eating pancakes will make them sick. Try as she might, mom can't make enough pancakes to keep the two fed so they pack up and head to the deep dark forest in search of their pancake fortune. They run into a man who needs help. His pancake batter has fallen into the river and hundreds of pancakes are blocking the logs from getting through! Paul and Babe happily eat them al Paul Bunyan and his blue Ox, Babe, love to eat pancakes. They refuse to eat veggies or fruits despite mom's warning that only eating pancakes will make them sick. Try as she might, mom can't make enough pancakes to keep the two fed so they pack up and head to the deep dark forest in search of their pancake fortune. They run into a man who needs help. His pancake batter has fallen into the river and hundreds of pancakes are blocking the logs from getting through! Paul and Babe happily eat them all up. The man, Brimstone Bill, offers them a job logging the land. They travel across the country logging and eating pancakes until one day Babe's blue color starts to fade. Paul realizes he doesn't feel super well either so they head home to eat the bounty of fruits and vegetables there. After Babe's bright blue color comes back they start farming "Bunyan sized veggies" and of course eating them, too (and a few pancakes when mom isn't looking).

An added twist to the legend of Paul Bunyan makes this story extra silly! Who knew pancakes were his motivation to shape the American landscape? I thought this book was fun and I love the colorful pictures! The message of the story is to eat more fruits and vegetables, and what kid doesn't need more motivation to do that?!

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Mar 07, 2013 Michael Moya rated it really liked it

I really enjoyed reading this folk tale. It is based off of the original Paul Bunyan book. It is a humorous twist on a classic tale. Paul and his friend, Babe the Blue Ox, leave life on the farm to work for a logger who pays them their favorite thing: pancakes! The engaging illustrations combined with humorous and lighthearted tone shows kids the importance of eating a balanced diet. Mostly teaching children to eat their vegetables. However, I felt the book's page design was a a little busy with I really enjoyed reading this folk tale. It is based off of the original Paul Bunyan book. It is a humorous twist on a classic tale. Paul and his friend, Babe the Blue Ox, leave life on the farm to work for a logger who pays them their favorite thing: pancakes! The engaging illustrations combined with humorous and lighthearted tone shows kids the importance of eating a balanced diet. Mostly teaching children to eat their vegetables. However, I felt the book's page design was a a little busy with unnecessary emphasis on sections of text. This takes away from the depiction of Paul and Babe's scale and size. Also, it can make the text difficult to read especially where it gets integrated into the art. ...more

May 21, 2014 Patricia rated it it was ok

Paul and Babe love pancakes. Who doesn't?

This picture book for young readers has a very modern feel with big banners highlighting words and phrases on each page. It retells the story of Paul Bunyan from his childhood through adult life, focusing on his love of pancakes over the good veggies his town folk grew. His love of pancakes led him to become a timber feller, and explains the origins of Rocky Mountains and the Grand Canyon. Too many pancakes, however, can make the biggest and strongest lu

Paul and Babe love pancakes. Who doesn't?

This is a colorful story to read once, but I can't imagine owning it or reading it more than once. It's sweet but not as substantial as I'd hoped it might be.

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Sep 07, 2012 Marika rated it it was ok

In Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox: The Great Pancake Adventure, Matt Luckhurst uses a vibrant palette for his tall-tale inspired tale. Paul Bunyan and Babe the blue ox are very big and require lots of food- more than Paul's mother can cook! Together, they head out west, doing all sorts of jobs in exchange for food- specifically pancakes. Playful typography highlights important words and phrases while fun patterns bring movement to every page. With humor, bright colors, and lots and lots of pan In Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox: The Great Pancake Adventure, Matt Luckhurst uses a vibrant palette for his tall-tale inspired tale. Paul Bunyan and Babe the blue ox are very big and require lots of food- more than Paul's mother can cook! Together, they head out west, doing all sorts of jobs in exchange for food- specifically pancakes. Playful typography highlights important words and phrases while fun patterns bring movement to every page. With humor, bright colors, and lots and lots of pancakes, everything about this book is exuberant!
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7/1/15 Planned to do something patriotic for storytime today, and realized the day before that I forgot to pick books. Scrambled to find stuff "America" related. Thought I'd try a tall tale and came across this one with a fabulous twist. A little long in some ways, but the fun illustrations and silliness of the story kept their attention. In fact, I was surprised by how well I had the attention of some of the kids AND the adults. 7/1/15 Planned to do something patriotic for storytime today, and realized the day before that I forgot to pick books. Scrambled to find stuff "America" related. Thought I'd try a tall tale and came across this one with a fabulous twist. A little long in some ways, but the fun illustrations and silliness of the story kept their attention. In fact, I was surprised by how well I had the attention of some of the kids AND the adults. ...more

Sep 27, 2012 Peacegal rated it it was amazing

This is a wonderful example of how awesome children's books can be. The Great Pancake Adventure is delightfully fun, with quirky illustrations and crazily-styled lettering on every page. To top it all off, the story is laugh-out-loud funny and includes a wise lesson about the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables. A+ !! This is a wonderful example of how awesome children's books can be. The Great Pancake Adventure is delightfully fun, with quirky illustrations and crazily-styled lettering on every page. To top it all off, the story is laugh-out-loud funny and includes a wise lesson about the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables. A+ !! ...more

Dec 16, 2012 Ted rated it liked it

A picture book retelling of the folktale of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Big Blue Ox, focusing on their love of pancakes. Lumberjacking takes a backseat here, but the art and whimsical hand-painted text make it good for one-on-one contexts. Likely a little long for storytime, particularly with younger children.

Feb 17, 2013 Laura rated it it was amazing

Love it! This is a great retelling of the tall tales many of us heard as children. I loved the art and the way the text was set. That said, it might be too difficult for a child who's recently picked up reading because some of the words may be hard for them to read, even if the fonts and placement are awesome. Love it! This is a great retelling of the tall tales many of us heard as children. I loved the art and the way the text was set. That said, it might be too difficult for a child who's recently picked up reading because some of the words may be hard for them to read, even if the fonts and placement are awesome. ...more

I am not a fan of this style of illustration--they remind me of Olive the Other Reindeer, but without the charm of that story. I've also never been a fan of the Paul Bunyan stories which seem too preposterous to me even as a child. That said, this is a solid retelling of the familiar pancake story, and the author's note would be useful in a unit on tall tales and the origins of folk tales. I am not a fan of this style of illustration--they remind me of Olive the Other Reindeer, but without the charm of that story. I've also never been a fan of the Paul Bunyan stories which seem too preposterous to me even as a child. That said, this is a solid retelling of the familiar pancake story, and the author's note would be useful in a unit on tall tales and the origins of folk tales. ...more

Dec 09, 2012 Andi Butler rated it it was amazing

Loved this!!! The story is a modified tale of Paul Bunyan and Babe, and is bigger than a standard PB. Matt's illustrations are bold, colorful and animated, with hand lettering throughout that add to the size, creating a larger than life story! Loved this!!! The story is a modified tale of Paul Bunyan and Babe, and is bigger than a standard PB. Matt's illustrations are bold, colorful and animated, with hand lettering throughout that add to the size, creating a larger than life story! ...more

Dec 10, 2012 Jen rated it really liked it

some of the words are apart of the illustrations, so that makes it difficult to read, but still FUN! It is really silly and about eating healthy. The pictures are very busy. The story is flat with a strong moral premise, but still entertaining.

Paul and Babe must learn the need to balance what they eat...pancakes do not make for a well-balanced diet if that is all you are eating.

A fun, imaginative take on the folk character.

Sep 25, 2012 Donalyn rated it liked it

Whimsical illustrations and typography add pizazz to this classic tall tale, but story fell off toward the end.

This would be a great book to read to compare to the original tale. The twist provides humor and reaches a young audience.

Great book with Minnesota roots, can compare and contrast with other Paul Bunyon stories

Jan 14, 2013 Pam Page rated it really liked it

Very different Paul Bunyan story involving pancakes! You must read the lengthy author's note at the end. Very different Paul Bunyan story involving pancakes! You must read the lengthy author's note at the end. ...more

Mar 17, 2013 Kendra rated it really liked it

A fun version of this story. A little heavy on the "moral" to eat healthier, but it kind of fits with the overall goofy theme. The pictures are as fun as the story. A fun version of this story. A little heavy on the "moral" to eat healthier, but it kind of fits with the overall goofy theme. The pictures are as fun as the story. ...more

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Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox the Great Pancake Adventure

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