The Magic Pumpkin - Hardcover

Martin, Bill

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 080501134X ISBN 13: 9780805011340

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), 1989

Synopsis

"A deceptively simple text with a lyrical rhythm describes a pear-shaped pumpkin growing in a garden, who unexpectedly whispers that he’ll protect the yard from the ‘foolies.’ Lee’s fragile watercolors cast an appropriately haunting aura to the strange proceedings." --Publishers Weekly

About this title

About the Author:

Visit Bill Martin Jr his web site: www.billmartinjr.com

From School Library Journal:

Grade 1-3-- An unseen speaker's pumpkin comes to life in this Halloween picture book. The narrator goes into the garden to select a pumpkin, finds the perfect one, and is startled when it whispers, "Choose me!. . .I'll keep the foolies from your yard!" The narrator carves a face in the pumpkin and places it at the door. The yard is then visited by twin foxes, "four mystic giants disguised as skunks," an owl, and some mice, all of whom the narrator finds (for some unknown reason) threatening. When the "foolies," little leprechaun-like people with tails, parade into the yard with batons and musical instruments, the jack-o-lantern changes. "He sneered! He snorted! He danced! He sang! He was the leader of the foolie gang!" Although the only change that readers see is human eyes peering out of the pumpkin, the narrator feels betrayed, calls the pumpkin a traitor, and blows out the candle, causing the pumpkin to shrink and wither out of sight. Lee's watercolors are painted in appropriate fall colors and could be easily seen by a group as well as individual readers. The text itself is too sophisticated for the children who will be attracted by the picture-book format and large pumpkin on the cover. It is unlikely that even older elementary students will understand the literary allusion, "Tonight will be your albatross!" The illustrations are attractive and evocative of the fall season and the book could be used as a Halloween read-aloud, but it will not have the enormous appeal of Martin's Brown Bear , Brown Bear , What Do You See? (Holt, 1983). --Jean H. Zimmerman, Willett School, South River, NJ
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
• Publication date: 1989
• ISBN 10: 080501134X
• ISBN 13: 9780805011340
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Lee Robert J.