It’s strawberry season in Honeysuckle Hollow! Everyone is gathering at the local farm to pick their very own baskets of juicy, ripe berries. From sweet desserts to long-lasting preserves, there are so many ways to enjoy this delicious fruit. Picking them in the sunshine is a real treat, too!
In this story, Pete Whooswhoo goes strawberry picking for the first time. Will you join him on this adventure? You will? Let’s jump right in!
“Grab a basket,” said Dad.
It was a bright and sunny day at the strawberry farm. Ruby red and oh-so juicy, the berries were the talk of the town! So, Pete Whooswhoo and his dad, Owen, ventured out together to get in on the action.
Pete chose a basket, and together they walked over to the rows of strawberry bushes, where lots of other Li’l Woodzeez were busily harvesting. There were the Bushytail Squirrels, the Oliphant Elephants, and the O’Funnigan Monkeys… So many friendly faces on the farm.
“Here’s how you do it,” said Dad, as he squatted down and showed Pete a treasure trove of strawberries that were hidden under the leaves. “Look for a strawberry that is red all over. No white spots! Then, pinch the stem above the berry with one hand, and twist the berry off with the other.”
Dad gently twisted a big red strawberry off the bush. “Just like that!” he said with a smile.
Pete hooted with delight. “Wow! So, this is where strawberries come from!”
“It sure is!” Dad nodded encouragingly. “Now you give it a try!”
Pete looked under the leaves for bright red berries. Then, he twisted one off its stem. “Ta-dah!” he exclaimed, showing his dad the berry.
“Great work!” said Dad.
Together, they picked dozens of strawberries, filling their basket with tasty-looking gems.
“Hello, Whooswhoos!” said Maggie Bushytail, who was carrying two baskets full of strawberries. “Enjoying the farm?” she asked.
“Why, of course,” said Dad. “How are you doing?”
“Wonderful, thank you!” Maggie beamed. “I’m picking berries so I can bake pies, cakes, and cobblers for the bakery!” Maggie and the other Bushytail squirrels are bakers at the Tickle-Your-Tastebuds Bakery.
“Yum!” Dad replied. “I can’t wait to swing by the store and pick one up.”
“Ooh – I love cobblers!” cried Myra O’Funnigan as she popped up from behind a bush. The O’Funnigan monkeys are the party planners in town. “We’re going to make jars of strawberry jam, then we’re going share them at parties!”
“A classic!” said Maggie.
“Did I hear someone say strawberry jam?” asked Chet Whiskerelli from around the corner. The Whiskerelli cat family run the Sweets & Treats Food Truck. “The kids and I are going to make strawberry ice cream for the truck!”
Everyone nodded excitedly in agreement as they continued to pick strawberries. What a versatile fruit, Pete thought. With so many interesting recipes to learn!
Within an hour, Pete Whooswhoo’s basket was filled to the brim with tasty-looking berries. Puddings, cakes, pies, ice creams, and jam floated around in Pete’s head as he picked one last berry and put it in his basket with the rest.
“Dad, what are we going to make with our strawberries?” Pete wondered. It seemed like everyone had big plans for the little red berries. They were much more complicated than Pete had thought!
“We’re going to do the simplest thing!” said Dad. “Can you guess?”
Pete shook his head. Could it be pie? Could it be cake?
“I don’t know, Dad,” said Pete.
“We’re going to eat them!” Dad gave Pete a wink, then he snuck a freshly picked strawberry into his mouth.
