Book Recommendation: Pancakes, Pancakes – No Pain, No Gain!

17th November 2020

Today on KnewSTEP recommendations we are introducing Pancakes, Pancakes! a masterpiece by Eric Carle. He is best known for The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Both award-winning picture books have been translated into numerous languages and well-loved by children around the globe.

Nowadays children are so loved and well-pampered. Nannies or helpers are always nearby to offer help and shower them with love. Over time some children may become spoiled and take it for granted. Let’s take a look at how this picture book educates children to gain delicious pancakes through their own hard work.

Pancakes, Pancakes! shows us how making pancakes look easy, but in fact, takes a lot of effort. To make a big fluffy pancake, Jack’s mum guides him on the journey to collect all the ingredients. Harvesting wheat and grinding into flour, collecting an egg from the hen, milking the cow, churning butter from fresh cream, collecting the firewood and the strawberry jam from the cellar. In the end, Jack’s hard work is rewarded by mum’s fresh homemade pancake! The young reader can pick up a series of vocabulary along the way, such as rooster, flour, sickle, grind, scoop and cellar.

The picture book shows children the entire process of grinding grains in the flour through illustrations and text. Children can pick up important life skills from Jack’s interaction with the millers: perseverance through hardship, hands-on experience, and social and communication skills. As a mother, I’m deeply impressed with Jack’s diligence and persistence. He voluntarily starts and finishes each task on his own, under a few gentle reminders from Mum.

This is the cultural difference between Chinese and Western cultures. Chinese children often have the privilege as the centre of attention in the family and pampered by parents and grandparents, and hence are more dependent. In western culture, if you want to eat pancakes, no problem, please help get the ingredients. We can learn from Jack’s mum and give guidance at the right time to cultivate a sense of independence. To let go is respecting the child as an individual. Incorporating simple teachings in their daily behaviour eventually nurtures wonderful characteristics.

The most valuable lesson in this picture book is understanding the efforts and hard work put into a warm meal. From that, the child learns to be grateful and respectful to their elders that put the food on the table. Perhaps not all children growing up in the city can be like Jack and make pancakes from scratch. We can be creative and allow children to be involved in other household tasks. Through hands-on experience to inspire them that all wonderful things take detailed planning, organization and preparation. No pain, no gain. Enjoy the work process, and when the time comes around the fruit you ripe will be extra sweet.

To learn more about English enhancement and language education, please consult with our education consultancy team.

Photo Credit:
1. https://www.ximalaya.com/ertong/16614095/103927615
2. https://www.sohu.com/a/209159038_161603