Fruits (book)

Fruits: A Caribbean Counting Poem is a children's picture book written by Valerie Bloom and illustrated by David Axtell. In 1997 it won the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize Bronze Award.

Reception

The BookTrust called Fruits "a sumptuous book, with rich, vibrant and distinctive illustrations." Kirkus Reviews found that "although authentic to the Patwa language, the pronunciations and cadences can, for unpracticed readers, result in a halting tempo rather than the intended rhythmic lilt." Similarly, Publishers Weekly indicated that "readers may need guidance deciphering some of the words". They also thought that "first-time illustrator Axtellevocation of the poem's lush tropical setting and brightly painted buildings offers a lively backdrop for Bloom's bouncy poem."