Pumpkins

by Ken Robbins, Ken Robbins (Illustrator)

Overview

When the air has turned cool and the leaves are falling, splashing their color on the ground, it's time to think about PUMPKINS!

In this handsome book a clear text, simple but never simplistic, describes the growing cycle of this harbinger of autumn and symbol of Halloween - from seed, to sprout, to flower, to fully fledged fruit, and back again. Instructions are given on how to carve your own jack-o'lantern (with the help of an adult). And, as always in a book by Ken Robbins, words are accompanied by luscious, full-color photographs that will captivate readers both young and old.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781466809024
Publisher:	Roaring Brook Press
Publication date:	08/21/2007
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	21 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

In a career spanning twenty-five years and more than two dozen books, KEN ROBBINS has established himself as one of our foremost creators of nonfiction books for young children. He lives in East Hampton, New York.

Editorial Reviews

Robbins (Tools; Seeds) provides a crisp photographic account of Halloween's iconic veggie. The horizontal alignment of the pages and color photos creates stability, while a monotone voice and close-up pictures detail the planting process from vine to mulch. Robbins's serious, scientific tone draws attention to even the tamest humor ("Some are round, but some of them are kind of flattened, or squashed, you might say"), and a how-to sequence on jack-o-lantern carving makes this just right for first-timers ("Put a candle inside and light it. It will look quite nice"). Gardeners will see their know-how confirmed in this forthright version, and novices may well be inspired to experience the slimy pulp and seeds for themselves. Ages 4-8. (Aug.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

K-Gr 2-With color photos that equal any painting for artistry of composition and sensitivity, Robbins has created a book that is certain to become an autumn favorite. Without naming the season, it launches into a description of autumn as "-that time of year when-," clearly and poetically evoking the crisp, cooler days with the leaves "-splashing their color on the ground-." The author documents the life cycle of the pumpkin with close-up, naturalistic photos and clear, simple text. He discusses the wide variety of pumpkin colors and sizes, from the palm-sized types to those weighing more than 1000 pounds. Basic instructions are included for carving a jack-o-lantern, with adult help suggested. The next year's crop, ensured by the pumpkins and their seeds left to rot in the field, is the focus of the last spread. Will Hubbell's Pumpkin Jack (Albert Whitman, 2000) covers similar ground, but is told as a story, and has colored-pencil illustrations. Reading both books makes a great lesson in comparing and contrasting, as well as in botany and in the joys of the season.-Lynda Ritterman, Atco Elementary School, Waterford, NJ Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

At Halloween, pumpkins are everywhere, but the story of pumpkins begins with seeds sown in the spring, followed by plants, flowers and finally, fruits in surprising variety. Beautifully composed and reproduced color photographs show pumpkins on the vine, in the fields, on fruit stands and being carved (by an adult) before becoming part of a Halloween celebration. The alternation of full-page close-ups with smaller pictures and relatively simple text invites close attention to both. This holiday tie-in could be useful in the fall, but misses the full story. Photographs of a female bud and male flower fail to point out the difference, and there is no mention of the pollination necessary for the plant to produce fruit. The emphasis is on pumpkins for jack-o'-lanterns, not as a food plant, although most pumpkins in the U.S. are grown for processing. A supplemental purchase. (Picture book/nonfiction. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews

Pumpkins is a beautifully done book for children . . . If you celebrate Halloween, then you will not want to miss Pumpkins. It will be a wonderful treat for your favorite child.

Armchair Interviews

...Robbins' salute to this squash glimmers as brightly as a jack-o'-lantern.

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