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Tuesday, August 20, 2024

The Pie Reports, written and illustrated by Hayley Lowe. Orca Book Publishers, 2024. $21.95 ages 6 and up


"As the weeks passed, the pie 
reports changed from apples 
to pumpkins to giant turkeys
and mini mince tarts. 

One cool spring evening, Noor
curled up with a slice of her 
favorite banoffee pie and 
waited for Granddad, but 
he didn't appear.

Noor knows about her Granddad's blue days. Granddad knows how to deal with them; he keeps busy and does those things he loves to do. One is making pies, which they do when they spend summer vacation days together. They like trying new recipes, while also enjoying some favorites. Too soon, it's time to say goodbye for another year. 

As they hug each other at the airport, Granddad reminds Noor not to forget the Friday pie report. School starts and Noor is eager to share the news of the week with Granddad when they log in for their first pie report that Friday. While they munch on blueberry pie, Noor and Granddad share their news. In that first report, he says he had only one blue day. 

Over the following months and through the seasons, the two enjoy every weekly pie report. Then, in the spring, Granddad isn't there for their regular report. Noor's mother explains that Granddad is having more blue days than usual, and is not up to their Friday visits. As she waits, Noor writes the pie reports in letters she hopes to share when she sees Granddad in the summer. 

Their welcome arrival leads to more pie-making and to reading the letters she has written for him. As the days pass, the two enjoy every minute of those times when Granddad is feeling happy. As they eat their last pie of the summer, Noor repeats something her grandfather has often said to her: 

"You are stronger than you know, Granddad. I love you 
more than all the pies in the world.
"

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