The Pumpkin Patch Parable: Special Edition

The Parable Series

by Liz Curtis Higgs

Share God's love and redemption with this beautiful fall story about a farmer who turns a simple pumpkin into a bright light that brings joy. This parable tale by bestselling author Liz Curtis Higgs will help your children understand how God makes us into new creations and calls us to share His light with all. During this season of renewal, children will love this read-aloud book about harvest, jack-o’-lanterns, and God’s belief in us. Cuddle close with little ones as they explore God’s great gifts of autumn blessings and hope in this illustrated book that won the Gold Medallion Award for Best Christian Book of the Year. This picture book for toddlers age 2 to 5 years old Liz Curtis Higgs’ parable storybook shares the gospel with children each harvest season and reminds them of God’s great love. Don't miss the other books in the Parable Series by Liz Curtis

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Halloween, Autumn, Christian, Faith, Holiday

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 11, 1995

About the author

Former Bad Girl, grateful for the grace God offers. Happy wife of Bill, one of the Good Guys. Proud mom of two grown-up kids with tender hearts. Lame housekeeper. Marginal cook. Pitiful gardener. Stuff I love? Encouraging my sisters in Christ—across the page, from the platform, online, in person. Unpacking Scripture. Traveling wherever God leads. Listening to His heart. Leaning into His embrace.

Reviews

[Margaret Chind]

I love Liz Curtis Higgs and her writing. Her Christian Historical Fiction novels were my introduction to the genre which for me today is a passion. I was delighted to discover she has also written a handful of children's novels in parable form with the gospel as the central message. I have an original copy of The Pumpkin Patch Parable from a few years ago, but when I heard that it was being republished as a giant board book, I was ecstatic!

After getting my hands on this giant board book, I'm absolutely delighted. Tommy Nelson has a great product in this book. Perfect for every family and the fall season. Finally we have a book to share with our children that reflects the same values that are important to us. As it says in a note from the author on the first page, "This book is NOT a celebration of Halloween... no ghosts, goblins, demons, witches, or monsters here!"

What this book is, is a beautiful parable format using the image of a pumpkin to share the gospel with our kids. With an applicable verse on each page bringing the story and the message in the bible alive this book is creative and meaningful. The size is great, and AppleBlossom even as a toddler is excited to be able to touch the pages and flip them herself and I rest easy without the fear of her tearing the pages. I love it!

[Skylar Burris]

Just to make sure you don’t miss the meaning of this book, the author has titled it “parable,” placed a Bible verse on every single page, and directly stated the meaning at the end of the story. The author, apparently, wanted to make sure nothing was left up to the child’s imagination, which is probably why both of my children seemed to find this “alternative to Halloween” book boring.

[Karen]

I was handed this book by another Sunday School teacher and told I should read it to our rambunctious 2nd graders because it included the memory verse for the week.

I lost them on the second page when it said that a pumpkin was a vegetable and they all informed me that NO, IT WAS NOT- IT HAS SEEDS! There was no getting them back after that. Oh well.

[Heather]

My two young boys and I were disappointed with this book. It started out promising that it was not a Halloween book and I thought the farmer might've made a scarecrow or a pie or a soup with his pumpkin but instead he made a jack-o'-lantern. To me that is still a Halloween feature.
The scripture associated with each page does not make up for the fact that it's still a Halloween book.

[The Bookish Panda]

I got this for my son a couple of years ago. I love Thorn in My Heart and the sequels to that book. So when I discovered this in the book store, I bought it.

It is a good parable about God's transforming love changing our hearts as we draw close to Him. I plan to get the rest of the books in this series.

[Audrey]

The farmer grew some pumpkins. When they were ready he chose one, cleaned it up inside and out, and put a candle inside. It made people happy to see it. That's what Jesus does to us. He cleans us up and puts His light inside of us so we can be a blessing to others.

[Margaret Chind]

I love this edition too, but read my review of the 2010 giant board book edition:

I love Liz Curtis Higgs and her writing. Her Christian Historical Fiction novels were my introduction to the genre which for me today is a passion. I was delighted to discover she has also written a handful of children's novels in parable form with the gospel as the central message. I have an original copy of The Pumpkin Patch Parable from a few years ago, but when I heard that it was being republished as a giant board book, I was ecstatic!

After getting my hands on this giant board book, I'm absolutely delighted. Tommy Nelson has a great product in this book. Perfect for every family and the fall season. Finally we have a book to share with our children that reflects the same values that are important to us. As it says in a note from the author on the first page, "This book is NOT a celebration of Halloween... no ghosts, goblins, demons, witches, or monsters here!"

What this book is, is a beautiful parable format using the image of a pumpkin to share the gospel with our kids. With an applicable verse on each page bringing the story and the message in the bible alive this book is creative and meaningful. The size is great, and AppleBlossom even as a toddler is excited to be able to touch the pages and flip them herself and I rest easy without the fear of her tearing the pages. I love it!

[Luisa Knight]

This is a wonderful autumn message!

At Christmas time, I love hearing the story of the candy cane and what the Christian symbolism reminds us of. And this story, in an attempt to reclaim the pumpkin from Halloween, reminds us of what God can do with His children.

Make sure you look for this one - you and your children will enjoy it!

Ages: 3 - 8

Cleanliness: nothing to note.

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[Amanda]

This is a really cute story that can be read for Halloween without being scary at all. It goes through what a farmer has to do to grow a pumpkin and then make it into a jack-o-lantern for Halloween. On each page there is a Bible verse quoted (in very small type, I didn't even read that part to my son for fear of my losing his attention from the story) that talks about growing, seeds, lights, etc. that is explored in that part of the book. I read this the same day as I heard on the Christian radio station I listen too about how jack-o-lanterns can be seen as a model of how Christ lovingly plants and grows, scoops out the slimy stuff, and then gives us a smile and lights us from the inside out. I don't remember hearing this before this year, but I will definitely keep it in mind (and maybe insist on making a jack-o-lantern) from now on.

[Allie Redmon]

I picked this book because I thought it was a great book to share with children in our outside of school. I do realize that some schools may not allow me to read this book because it does not have a view from other religions. But I figured you could read this book and then find a book about the day of the dead and their culture to help make your diverse.
This book is so great, I love the illustrations in it they are amazing and so detailed they bring the farmer and his pumpkins to life. I also leaned toward this book because of what time of year it is. The story talks about how a farmer makes a tiny pumpkin into a glorious pumpkin filled with love and joy just like God can for us.
This book is amazing for all ages I believe and gives a great lesson across to the children.

[Skyler]

I hope my other review didn't go threw, my laptop is touchy so I'm gonna try to rewrite it. This was a cute story, however the note the author wrote so you know what sorta story this is and its not a mindless goulish halloween story hit me sour. I know where she was coming from and what she was trying to accomplish but it did not pan over well with me. There are plenty of cute little wholesome halloween stories about fun lil monsters and ghosts that do have a good meaning behind them. Her approach will not have me coming back to this author. I'm glad we read this book at the library and did not purchase it.

[Nicole Smith]

I don’t like the wording that says “the farmers workers brought the pumpkins in” especially when they are also portrayed as a minority. We can’t say “the farmers employees” ? Staff? No, they’re faceless minority “workers”. The only faceless people in the book at that.
Besides that, it’s a fine book. It Illustrates the process of growing a pumpkin from seed and turning it into a jack o lantern.
It does have a religious parallel message at the end, but as someone who isn’t religious- I just skip that part. I think religious parents would enjoy the message though.

[Amy]

Genre: Picture book, religious
A wonderful, non-scary tale about Halloween that children can enjoy hearing and looking at. It is religious so it may not be appropriate for all settings, but has a wonderful message. I love this book as well as The Pine Tree Parable by the same author. I think this is a good book for young children and can be enjoyed whether you are religious or not.

[Anne (In Search of Wonder)]

This is a nice alternative to the typical Halloween fare, especially helpful if you avoid celebrating that particular holiday. It illustrates spiritual truth through the example of the "Jack-o-Lantern".

[Joan]

I met Liz Curtis Higgs in 1997 up near Kalamazoo, MI. What a life story she has. Christ has changed her and what a writer she is. This is a great book for children for the Halloween/Fall Harvest season.

[ShaRhonda]

If there were more than five stars to rate with, I would give them all to this book! This has been a favorite in my home since my son, who is now 11 was 5. Now my daughter gets to have the alternative message of Halloween through a storybook unlike any others we own. Love this book.

[Christina]

I found this to be a beautiful story. The verses she picked to go with each step in the farmer's pumpkin adventure was perfect. What a wonderful autumn story for our children and a great way yo explain God's love to them.

[Julia Williams]

This is a book about a farmer that plants many different things. The best vegetable he grows is a pumpkin. He picks his pumpkins in October and carves it. This is a good book to read to students during the month of October.

[Judy"Intergalactic Bookworm"]

This is a great "refurbishing" of the meaning of the Jack-O-Lantern from a Christian perspective. The Farmer is really Jesus Christ.

[Kim♥]

I've been reading this one to Blake since he was one and a half and he still loves it. This series is wonderful! :)

[Margaret Metz]

I not only used this for my own family, but for Sunday School, AWANA and even for story time at Harvest celebrations and that kind of thing.

[Jennifer L.]

Very cute book about how a pumpkin can make people smile.

[Laura]

One of my FAVORITE children's books of all time!! Good explanation of why we make Jack o laterns. Whether or not that is what it is based in, it can be your family's NEW TRADITION!!

[Tracy Ralston]

Excellent book about explaining pumpkins and how God makes us all unique. Nothing scary about this book.

[Jodi]

Great fall/Halloween book for my preschool Sunday School class

[Hillary Hayman]

I loved the pictures in this parable about the light in a pumpkin and the light God can put into your life.

[Mindy George]

Good children's book.

[Dietra Henschel]

Great book... Really good for Chidren

[April Padalino]

This was n awesome book to share with my students at Halloween. I tend to take a more Harvest approach to that time of year and it ties in beautifully.

[Jessica Simmons]

I really like this book. I remember my parents reading this story to me when I was little. It is a good way to look at Halloween from a Christian perspective.