The Wise Pickle

Written by Sarah Howden

Illustrated by Sabina Hahn

Tundra Books

978-1-77488-698-4

40 pp.

Ages 4–8

June 2026 

 

When is a pickle more than pickle? In Sarah Howden and Sabina Hahn's picture book, it's more than a pickled vegetable when it falls from the sky and imparts wisdom to those who seek its knowledge of life. 

From The Wise Pickle, written by Sarah Howden, illustrated by Sabina Hahn

When a pickle lands next to a dry cleaner and begins to speak, recognizing that it had lived a lot of life, it is overheard by a rat. Surprised by a talking pickle, other animals, including a small bird, a worm, a chipmunk and a mouse, gather. But it's the pickle that starts the discussion with, "You might ask me, What do you have to say, pickle, that's so important? Why do you think you're so wise?" (pg. 10)

From The Wise Pickle, written by Sarah Howden, illustrated by Sabina Hahn

As the animals ask about its life, there is a deep discussion of purpose, journey, and choices. The animals provide a pillow, food—unnecessary—and even summon a dog to ultimately eat the shrivelling pickle, thereby fulfilling its métier to provide food. But fate—or was that a gull?—intervenes, and the wise pickle's end is deferred with a new pathway to be taken.

 

If Sarah Howden's story tells readers anything it's that things can always change. You might see yourself on one path, when something changes, sometimes without personal liability, and a new path opens up. It may lead to the same outcome, but maybe not, and being flexible helps to see the positives in the new direction. 

From The Wise Pickle, written by Sarah Howden, illustrated by Sabina Hahn

But Sarah Howden doesn't just give us a deeply philosophical look at life's journey—there's also a look at who we revere and why. She also tells her story with a dry humour, which is bolstered by NYC's Sabina Hahn's pencil and watercolour art. Sabina Hahn keeps the humour, claiming she used pickle brine in her illustrations. Still, it's the starkness of her art that elevates Sarah Howden's story from cute to meaningful. There's a pickle that expresses itself with only its eyes, animals that show concern and reverence for the brined cucurbit, and connection between all of them.

 

Looks like there's a new guru in town—by way of falling off of someone's plate—and it has some life lessons to share. I will still enjoy my garlic dill pickle, but I may never look at it the same way, thanks to Sarah Howden and Sabina Hahn.