September 2020, Scallywag Press, 32 pages, Hardback, Review copy
Book summary
Follow the journey of a tiny seed to a big, fat, orange pumpkin! Will the pumpkin be ready in time for Halloween?As the children are seen tending to their plant, we explore their emotions: enthusiasm, anxiety, joy and a finally a sense of achievement.
This book shares with young readers the delight of working with nature, and shows the need to be patient; it delights in the anticipation every child feels while preparing for Halloween.
Nayu's thoughts
I do not like Halloween at all. Scary things are not appealing to me, but that didn't stop me from thoroughly enjoying this book. I happen to love the colour and shape of pumpkins, as well as the cheerful colour scheme used in this book. I am happy being able to plant them in farming games, seeing their bright green and orange roundish bodies poking up from the earth as they grow both virtually and in real life are a pleasure to see. That frustration at how long nature can take to grow anything gives way with the pure joy of watching pumpkins grow.
It was easy to imagine the characters eagerly rushing outside as soon as they wake up in their pyjamas to check on the growth status, perhaps wanting to protect them from the rain with an umbrella even though they know rain is needed for growth. The hardback cover feels a bit like fabric which is nice to the touch, with the title slightly raised off the page. Everything about this tale screams autumn, although there may be the odd scream on seeing the faces carved in the pumpkins by the end.
Find out more on Rob's website.
Suggested read
Other gardening themed reads include Lottie and Dottie Sow Carrots by Claire Burgess and Marijke van Veldhoden (Children's, 5 years +, 10E/10E)
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