Pumpkin Fiesta

by Caryn Yacowitz, Joe Cepeda (Illustrator)

Parents and children will love this funny fable that combines a message about the value of hard work with inspirational illustrations, including a recipe for pumpkin soup.

Genres: Picture Books, Halloween, Cultural, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Caryn Yacowitz is a playwright, speaker, and the author of several picture books. She lives in California.

Reviews

[Gina Starling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grade 1-3-"A story with a moral and lots of humor-just right for a Thanksgiving or fall storytime. Old Juana grows pumpkins that always win the prize at the annual pumpkin fiesta in her Mexican village. Foolish Fernando thinks he can grow bigger ones if he just spies on her and copies what she does. Unfortunately, he does not emulate Juana in the most important things: the hard work, time, and love she puts into her farming. After several humorous mishaps, Fernando learns his lesson and Juana makes a new friend. The story is perfectly illustrated with lively oil paintings in hot, bright colors that capture the flavor of the country and enhance the animated story. At the end, the two friends are shown enjoying a bowl of pumpkin soup, right next to the recipe. A very nice offering for the fall."

A book to read during the fall.

[Colleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book Overall this is a morality tale about cheaters never winning and the value of asking for help. However ,"Foolish Fernando" is clearly not very bright and laughing at him feels wrong. It also plays cross-dressing for a laugh which is not cool.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are gorgeous!!

[Tabitha Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! It has such a good message of not cheating and lying but asking for help is always a good thing and there is nothing wrong with asking for help and advice.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun autumn-themed book with a Mexican twist and a good moral---cheaters never win!
I'll share this with K-2.

[Miss Pippi the Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Growing pumpkins with Old Juana and Foolish Fernando.

The inspiration for Pumpkin Fiesta came from "The Stub-Book," a story by the 19th century Spanish writer Pedro Antonio de Alarcon.

[Ryker Geist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silly story that left us chuckling and does teach that hard work and diligence is important.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The BEST part about this book would definitely have to be the use of colors in each image. This is a great multicultural book, and the images really help place the feeling and setting of the story. I also loved the humor used by the author, for example when Foolish Fernando decided to dress as Old Juana and pranced around the pumpkin field in a dress. I think this is a fun, easy read and students would really enjoy it.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Old Juana wins the prize for best pumpkins every year...and Foolish Fernando is jealous. He copies everything she does to grow the best pumpkins, but doesn't quite get it right. He steals her pumpkins and takes them to the fair. In the end, the town figures it out and Old Juana gets her rightful award.

Used for "It's Green and Leafy: Not Trees...Vegetables!" storytime-April, 2010

[Maria Burel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Old Juana has been growing her prize-winning pumpkins for as long as anyone can remember. But this year, Foolish Fernando is determined to take the blue ribbon. He copies everything Old Juana does, or so he thinks, but when his pumpkins come out green and shriveled, Foolish Fernando is forced to take drastic action. A good fall fable on patience and honesty.

[Alexis Munk · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't care for this book. I wasn't a fan of the illustrations or the story line. This book would be good to teach children not to steal from other's. It also shows that hard work pays off. You can't just work a little and expect to receive something, the biggest pumpkins in this case, for doing hardly any work.

[Gemma Alexander · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little story about how hard work is the only way to get good results, as evidenced in gardening. But my little girl didn't quite get the takeaway message. She usually agreed with Foolish Fernando and picked the wrong factor contributing to Old Juana's pumpkin growing prowess.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was attracted to the cover as I love pumpkin patches. I enjoyed the funny story too as Foolish Fernando learns from Old Juana the secret of Pumpkin Hill.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the alliterations. The illustrations were very beautiful and portrayed interesting texture and color.

[Darlene Houston · Rating 2 out of 5]

cool book

[SouthWestZippy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story.