Lila and the Jack-o'-Lantern: Halloween Comes to America

by Nancy Churnin, Anneli Bray (Illustrator)

STARRED REVIEW! "This delightful picture book is a must-have for elementary libraries."― School Library Journal starred review An Irish immigrant moves to America, bringing along a now-beloved Halloween tradition. When Lila and her family leave Ireland for the United States, Lila misses many things, but especially Halloween. Each year, she and her siblings look forward to tricking a sly spirit named Jack by carving turnips into jack-o'-lanterns and walking the streets of their small town in ghostly costumes. Now, with no turnips in sight, can she bring the spirit of the holiday to the crowded city streets of her new home?

Genres: Picture Books, Halloween, Childrens, Holiday, Historical Fiction, Ireland, Food

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 28, 2023

Reviews

[Gary Anderson]

Nancy Churnin’s newest picture book arrives just in time for the Halloween season. In Lila and the Jack-O’-Lantern: Halloween Comes to America, Lila and her family immigrate to America from Ireland. While crossing the ocean, Lila’s younger siblings wonder which of their Irish traditions will still be possible in America. Will there be turnips so that they can have Halloween? Turnips?!? Yes, in Ireland, turnips with carved faces were used to scare away the prankster spirit Jack who causes trouble on October 31. Will America have turnips?

While searching for turnips at a richly multi-ethnic outdoor produce market, Lila meets Julia, the daughter of a produce stand owner. Julia is fascinated by Lila’s description of Irish Halloween customs, but unfortunately turnips are not available. But what about “the strange, orange, round vegetables” that Julia’s father is unpacking for the stand? Lila excitedly says they are “perfect for carving!” With that, carving a pumpkin jack-o’-lantern becomes a new American Halloween tradition.

Nancy Churnin’s narrative deftly includes other Irish Halloween traditions that have either morphed into something else or disappeared. My Irish heritage (42%, according to Ancestry.com) was enhanced by what I learned from reading Lila and the Jack-O’-Lantern. In addition, the text conveys information about how Irish immigrants experienced American city life.

Anneli Bray’s illustrations provide much to look at on each page spread. In addition to the expressive faces of Lila, her family, and her new neighbors, Bray’s details subtly give information about the architecture, food, economics, and other elements of Lila’s new context, all rendered in warm, autumnal colors.

Back matter includes an Author’s Note in kid-friendly language that explains more about Irish Halloween traditions and how they changed in America, plus recipes for colcannon and barmbrack, two Irish dishes that are important to the plot.

Lila and the Jack-O’-Lantern is an excellent choice for a seasonal read-aloud or to feature on bookshelves this time of year, or as part of a Nancy Churnin display.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute picture book about Irish traditions coming to America via Irish immigrants fleeing the Potato Famine. Don't forget to read the historical notes in the back or the recipe included.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute book about how the tradition of Halloween and Jack-o-lanterns might have started.

The authors notes explain where Halloween came from and it is always interesting learning about traditions from other parts of the world.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Lila and her family emigrate from Ireland to the United States in the 19th century, driven out of their homeland by an Gorta Mór—the Great Famine—she and her younger siblings wonder whether Jack, the spirit said to haunt the streets on Halloween night, using a carved turnip lantern as a guide, will follow them to this new land. Despite assuring her siblings that Jack will indeed be coming to America, Lila discovers that the turnips necessary to make jack-o-lanterns, traditionally carved for Halloween night, are in short supply. Fortunately, in the process of meeting her new friend Julia, Lila discovers pumpkins, and a new tradition is born...

I was excited to learn about Lila and the Jack-o'-Lantern: Halloween Comes to America, as it is the first children's story I have encountered that addresses the historical root of the jack-o-lantern tradition, brought to these shores by Irish immigrants. Author Nancy Churnin appears to be exploring the origins of various holiday traditions in her picture books recently, highlighting how Christmas trees came to the English-speaking world in her 2018 The Queen and the First Christmas Tree: Queen Charlotte's Gift to England , and how Valentines Day cards came to be sent in the states, in Valentines for All: Esther Howland Captures America's Heart , published earlier this year. I found her narrative here engaging, although not as poignant as expected, given that this was an immigrant story. That said, I did find it very interesting, and appreciated the inclusion of the historical note at the rear, with the recipes for colcannon and barmbrack (other Halloween traditions!). The accompanying artwork from illustrator Anneli Bray, although not a stand-out in my opinion, was nevertheless cute. Recommended to picture book readers and audiences looking for Halloween stories with a historical setting, or to anyone seeking children's stories about the origin of the jack-o-lantern, and how it came to America.

[Luna Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lila and the Jack-o’-Lantern: Halloween Comes to America by Nancy Churnin, illustrated by Anneli Bray, is a charming and enlightening picture book that blends history, culture, and heart. Through Lila’s eyes, young readers experience the challenges of immigration alongside the comfort of cherished traditions. When Lila and her family leave Ireland for a new life in America, she deeply misses the familiar joys of Halloween, especially the tradition of carving turnips into jack-o’-lanterns to outwit the sly spirit, Jack.

Churnin’s storytelling is warm and accessible, introducing children to the historical roots of Halloween in a way that feels personal and engaging. Lila’s longing for home and her determination to keep her traditions alive resonate emotionally, making the historical lesson both meaningful and memorable. The story gently explores themes of adaptation, resilience, and cultural continuity, showing how traditions can evolve while still preserving their original spirit.

Anneli Bray’s illustrations are atmospheric and expressive, capturing both the old-world charm of Ireland and the bustling energy of America. The visual contrast between the two settings enhances the narrative and brings Lila’s journey vividly to life.

This book is a wonderful introduction to the origins of jack-o’-lanterns and the immigrant stories behind familiar holidays. Lila and the Jack-o’-Lantern is both educational and heartfelt, making it perfect for classroom use, seasonal reading, or family storytime. It reminds readers that traditions connect us to our past, even as they grow and change in new places.

[Nanny Miss Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you or your little ones ever wondered how pumpkins became such a big symbol of Halloween? Through the story of an Irish immigrant named Lila, we get a glimpse of how traditions from a country far away would eventually make their way to America and change the month of October for years to come. During the 19th century, Lila’s family takes the tumultuous voyage from Ireland to join her father after a potato famine. Everything seems very different, from the people and tall apartment buildings, and especially the food. In her homeland, they would use turnips to carve ghastly faces to ward off a spirit named Jack during Halloween, but there are no turnips around their new home. A new friend named Julia shows Lila that she can use a pumpkin instead, and with her parents’ help, they find a way to feel at home and connect with their new community.

“Lila and the Jack-O’-Lantern” is a fictional account of the very real history that took place a couple centuries ago by the award-winning author and educator Nancy Churnin. A daring tale of mystery, friendship, and discovery, this epic tale is rich with the cultural contributions that were brought to the United States from immigrants the world over. Included in the book are historical references and interesting food tidbits that tie into the story. The thoughtful picture book is filled with the warmth of Autumn colors and Halloween themes displayed beautifully by illustrator Anneli Bray.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 STARS. A welcome addition to the Halloween picture book line-up. The history aspect is interesting (included an Author's Note with further details, though, alas, no Bibliography. Also includes recipe for Colcannon and Barmbrack). I vaguely remember hearing about the turnip lanterns but hadn't realized that it was Irish immigrants who brought this tradition to the US where the turnip became the pumpkin. From the Author's Note: "In Ireland, people believed spirits of the dead walked the Earth on Halloween. They made a particular fuss about a spirit named Jack, a trickster who traveled with burning coal in a carved turnip to light his way. They believed Jack would leave them alone if he though they were spirits too. So they put on ghost costumes, and they carved turnips, put lights in them, and called them jack-o'-lanterns to trick the trickster."
The story itself is pleasant, though lacked the emotional impact I tend to expect from immigrant stories and any hardships are quite mild, but perhaps the lighter tone will welcome in those looking for a seasonal read who might not otherwise pick up historical fiction.

[A Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Churnin tells a story about a family on their way to America in 1850. One of the younger children asks the eldest child if there will be turnips for Halloween and the book explains that in Ireland they would carve a face into a turnip and put a glowing coal inside to scare away a spirit named Jack. The book also talks about the children wearing sheets and knocking on doors for treats. The lack of turnips in America is obviously weighing heavily on Lila, the eldest child, as she has nightmares about the Potato Famine and turnips. Churnin's storytelling is a treat for the reader's senses as the book describes various noises heard in their new home, various Irish dishes that their mom makes, and eventually the feeling of pulling out the pumpkin's guts. In the story Lila makes friends with a character named Julia and then feels much better about her new home. Lila introduces Julia to the Irish traditions her family practices, and Julia introduces Lila to roasted pumpkin seeds and promises Lila some of her mom's pumpkin pie. This is a cute autumn story with a bit more depth than others.

[SeasonsOfKidLit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blurb: Lila and the Jack O’Lantern, Halloween Comes to America, by Nancy Churnin, Anneli Bray, and Albert Whitman, shares the origins of the Jack O’Lantern through Lila, a young girl who immigrated from Ireland to America during the potato famine. Moving from the countryside to a big city presents it’s difficulties and Lila must find a way to keep her Irish traditions alive. How can she do that without any turnips?

Lynne Marie says: This historical fiction story portrays an interesting legend and history. It also empowers the main character to come up with a creative way to keep their Irish family traditions alive for years to come. It’s a fun and festive story for the fall season, with a fascinating author note and authentic recipes for added enjoyment. And thanks to sweet and colorful art, the story comes alive in a way that’s perfect for little ones.

Reviewed by seasonsofkidlit.com.

[Brooke - TheBrookeList · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lila's story is a fictional account of how the Irish immigrants did, in reality, bring their tradition of carving a "jack-o-lantern" from Halloween celebrations to the United States. This immigrant story provides a look at how young immigrant children might have felt leaving their homes behind and what traditions (foods, celebrations, family, etc.) helped them feel "at-home." Lila's is a fun historical example, but also teaches of making friends and creating traditions, along with optimism and a growth mindset for finding happiness where we are. The story and illustrations are well-done and the author's note and recipes at the end provide context for understanding this fictional account of how we came to carve pumpkins in America. Great Halloween read that isn't the least creepy or frightening.

Read as a nomination in the Fiction Picture Book book award category as a panelist for Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils Awards).

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The things you don't know! I didn't know that the idea of the jack o lantern during Halloween came from the Irish. As the fictionalized version of Lila and her new American friend explain, that typically a face is carved into a turnip and a coal put into it to glow as part of the myth of jack, a fussy spirit trickster who always carried around the carved turnip with a coal in it to light his way when he walked about as spirits walk around on Halloween. So people would put a glowing turnip in their windows to trick him into believing that they were also spirits and thus leave them alone. That's why they're called jack-o-lanterns.

So when the Irish moved during/after the potato famine and they landed mostly in the United States where turnips weren't really a thing-- they substituted pumpkins, which were more plentiful.

Literally, who knew?!?! A neat story told about the myth of the jack o lantern (with some food added in for good measure).

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could it have happened this way? Sure!
Lila and the Jack-O'-Lantern is a sweet story about a newly immigrated Irish family whose children want to celebrate Halloween like they did back home. The oldest daughter is determined to make a lantern for her younger siblings and finds a pumpkin in the market. A new friend shows her how to roast the seeds as she shows that friend how she and her siblings carve a face into the gourd.

Back matter explains the Irish origin of what has become an iconic America holiday. This story is therefore a great way to introduce a young audience to the holiday and its history. Children will be able to personalize that history and connect with the characters. And, Bray brings the period to live with her colorful, rich illustrations. Lila and the Jack-O'-Lantern is just right for a preschooler's October reading list!

[Gabriela Suchecki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lila and the Jack-O’-Lantern by Nancy Churnin is a story of immigrants coming to America. The main character Lila moves to America with her family from Ireland. Lila misses many things about her country but mainly she misses the Halloween traditions. Carving a turnip into Jack-O'-Lantern and walking down the streets in ghostly costumes. Lila meets a girl named Julia and they become friends. She shows her that she can use a pumpkin instead of the turnip. The story points out that traditions can be brought to a new home even when they are a little different. This book is intended for students k-2 grade level. I would use this book in my classroom during the read aloud session.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lovely immigrant story follows a young girl who promises her siblings there will be Halloween in their new country. Lila is surprised to find there are no turnips to be found, the traditional way to ward of the trickster spirit, Jack. She meets Julia who suggests a pumpkin. While Julia learns about Colcannon and Barmbrack treats, she helps Lila gut a pumpkin, roast the seeds, and promises to bring her a pumpkin pie to enjoy. Includes an afterward by the author and a recipe for Colcannon.

I very much enjoyed this Halloween book that I will most certainly add to my school collections!

[Michael Benner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely story about how the tradition of carving jack-o-lanterns to ward off spirits came from Ireland, changing from carved turnips to carved pumpkins. This is also a beautiful story about dealing with adversity - Lila moved from a farm in Ireland to a cramped apartment in America and, though she worried the traditions of Halloween wouldn't be celebrated in her new home, she made the best of her situation and ensured her Halloween traditions could be carried on, even if some things were a little different. She also learned some new traditions, in the process.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is no better way to learn about important moments in history than through story and stories for children somehow pack the biggest punch. This is the story of the immigration of Irish people to the Americas after the potato famine. The book evokes perfectly the feelings of loss and need and rounds this perfectly with a golden thread of hope. The bonus is that children will also learn about the history of Halloween and jack-o-lanterns which is truly fascinating.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Churnin offers the explanation for when pumpkins started being carved for Halloween. The Irish immigrants could not find turnips to carry on their tradition so friends here offered a pumpkin instead. I appreciate the history woven in to this story of two young girls who become friends. Don't miss the informative text included at the end.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this picture book that hypothesizes a story of a little girl from Ireland finding a way to make her Halloween traditions work as an immigrant in America. It's a cute story that would serve classrooms well and lead to further discussions. The illustrations are cheery and fun and the text can be read aloud easily.

[c · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review copy courtesy of Albert Whitman and Company

Must add to elementary libraries where Halloween is popular! A short picture book imagining how a girl from Ireland would have brought over her Irish Halloween traditions, but the history is presented as part of the story.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this fictionalized story of how Halloween came to America, Lila finds a new way to celebrate their Irish tradition of putting a lit carved turnip in the window to scare away a spirit named Jack. While Americans have really taken this tradition and run with it, I didn't know the history of it.

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I see why this book is targeted more for elementary ages....it's long

But it's interesting to read about how Jack o'lanterns found their way into America

The illustrations I enjoyed more than the story though.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea that Halloween was a "gift" from Irish immigrants - and I have ancestors who were Irish immigrants! Loved this little historical fiction picture book that gives the origin story of Halloween in the US!

[Lupe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this historical fiction book to add to my holiday books in my library. I found it interesting and I hope my students do too. I might have edited it to be shorter in length as the students who check out picture books are usually K-2nd grade but it is still a good and informative book.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.

[Melanie Gaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.

[Pamela Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was unaware that jack-o-lanterns were brought to the US by Irish immigrants. This is a delightful book to share with students about the gifts that Immigrants bring. Highly recommended.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4

[Catie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute, quick Halloween picture book about how Irish Halloween traditions migrated to America.

[Vania · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/★★★★★

[Rich Farrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't aware of the history behind the tradition, so this was a nice story about a young immigrant girl who brings the Jack-o'-Lantern to America.