sketch of canning jam
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Robert McCloskey, Book dummy illustration for Blueberries for Sal (Viking). Courtesy of The May Massee Collection, Emporia State University Special Collections and Archives, Emporia State University. © 1948 Robert McCloskey. 

Read-Aloud and Cook Along with The Reader's Kitchen: Blueberries for Sal

For Families
Workshops
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Cafe at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

Highland Street Foundation Free Day!
Free Museum admission (no registration required)

Free for Museum members (no registration required)

Join Chef Afton from The Reader’s Kitchen as she reads aloud from Blueberries for Sal and demonstrates how to make a batch of homemade wild Maine blueberry jam inspired by the story. Try a sample of the jam yourself and and take home the recipe so you can try it out in your own kitchen. This program is ideal for children ages 3 to 7.

Who You'll Meet
Woman in a field holding a Blueberries for Sal and smiling

Afton Cyrus of The Readers' Kitchen

Afton Cyrus is a former teacher turned professional recipe developer whose passion project is The Reader’s Kitchen, a recipe resource that brings food moments from beloved children’s books to life. With thoroughly tested, kid-friendly recipes and guided conversation questions, The Reader’s Kitchen aims to help parents, caregivers, and educators inspire kids to develop a love of both reading and cooking while spending quality time together. When she isn’t dreaming up recipes for kids, Afton spends her time working as the Senior Recipe Editor for Simply Recipes and enjoying the great outdoors where she lives in coastal Maine.

Website
Explore Further
Baker selling bread to line of customers
Event

Read-Aloud and Cook Along with The Reader's Kitchen: The Very Hungry Caterpillar

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Museum admission is free thanks to Highland Street Foundation. Join us for a yummy hands-on cooking demonstration and make your own fruit caterpillar. Registration for this event is full.

Illustration of baker making bread in stages.
Current Exhibition

Cooking with Eric Carle

September 20, 2025 - September 6, 2026