When spring arrives and it’s time to make maple syrup at Sugar Hill Farm, little Kate is determined to assist her father and older sister, though her efforts may be more enthusiastic than helpful.

While Taffy Time is a pleasant and readable story, and helps fill a need for engaging, informative fiction for very young children, it does have some notable weaknesses. Quebec author and kindergarten teacher Jennifer Lloyd (The Best Thing About Kindergarten) tries to do too much with the story. Lloyd avoids being overly saccharine, but the tale is a bit bland, and Kate’s well-meaning but clumsy attempts to be useful seem unnecessary and cliché.

That said, Taffy Time still manages to be more than the sum of its parts. The narrative is entertaining enough to hold a child’s attention, and the very Canadian theme of maple syrup production is one familiar to many kids. Lloyd explains the process from start to finish in a clear manner that is accessible to even the youngest preschoolers.

Alberta illustrator Jacqui Lee’s lovely watercolour illustrations, with their textural details, soft brushstroke edges, and gentle colours, give the story a timeless quality. The overall effect is one of familiar realism, but with a sweet, childlike feel. Details such as the word “SPLAT” written in one of Kate’s accidental spills add a touch of humour without being silly.

On the whole, Taffy Time could be stronger, but will stand up to multiple readings. The book may be particularly useful to parents or early-childhood teachers looking for an accessible resource to introduce the topic of how maple syrup is made, and is also a great jumping-off point for an educational, real-life visit to one of the many sugar shacks open to the public.