On the bookshelf: Blueberries for Sal
Some books are defined by a phrase. With Robert McCloskey’s Blueberries for Sal, it’s the words “kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk.” As in: “Little Sal picked three berries and dropped them in her little tin pail… kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk.”
The book was first published in 1948, but seems to be in the midst of a revival (see this Publishers Weekly story for an explanation). The phrase appears as Little Sal and her mother go to pick blueberries on Blueberry Hill. It turns out to be a busy day on Blueberry Hill, with a bear and her cub also out looking for blueberries. Little Sal and the cub get mixed up, mothers get confused, but then everyone returns to their proper place. They all leave Blueberry Hill with either a stomach or pail full of blueberries. Or both.
To be honest, our boys are not crazy about this book. It meanders a bit, which is also part of its charm. Still, our 3-year-old loves to say “kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk.” And Blueberries for Sal uses the phrase as a thread through the book. It mimics a child’s fascination creating words. Our 3-year-old loves to say “Bobo.” Bobo this, bobo that. We call it his “bobo language.” It's the same idea as “kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk.” It just sounds fun.
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