Pumpkins

by Ken Robbins

From late summer to Thanksgiving, pumpkins are everywhere, a symbol of fall and a reminder of the holidays to come. In this handsome book, Ken Robbins—widely known for his sumptuous photo-essays on subjects ranging from trucks to tools to autumn leaves—portrays the pumpkin from seed, to sprout, to flower, to fully fledged fruit, and back again. Instructions are given to (safely) carve a jack-o’-lantern.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Halloween, Childrens, Photography, Gardening, Storytime

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is simply a life-cycle-of-the-pumpkin books told with the help of Robbins' lovely photographs.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

My preschooler has been learning about the pumpkin life cycle at school so this was the perfect extension to read with her at home.

[Rekae Manchester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative for little ones and enjoyed reading it and so did my kids

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

A detailed book of pumpkins-their start, middle and end. Great info.

Nice photographs.

[Alison]

Title: Pumpkins

Author: Ken Robbins

Genre: Photographic Essay

Theme(s): Fall, Pumpkins, Growth

Opening Line/Sentence: “At that time of the year when the air has turned cool, the cornstalks have turned brown, and the leaves are falling, splashing their color on the ground...”

Brief Book Summary: This is a photographic essay on pumpkins. When the grow, how they grow, as well as how they look/progress as they grow. He shows all of the shapes and sizes of pumpkins as well as what they can be used for. Beautiful photos complement the information provided.

Professional Recommendation/Review #1: (Booklist)
“From the irresistible, eye-grabbing front cover, a photographs of a wagon filled with pumpkins, to a close-up shot of a pumpkin stem on the back cover, Robbins' salute to this squash glimmers as brightly as a jack-o'-lantern. His spectacular color photographs juxtapose scenes framed in white borders with full-bleed close-ups. The left side of one spread, for example, shows a hand holding seeds, while the right pictures a farmer planting them. Using artfully contrasting proportions and dramatic page compositions studded with vivid orange color, Robbins creates a visual narrative of a pumpkin's life cycle--from seed to sprout to flower to fruit to holiday symbol. Instructions for making a jack-o'-lantern are included. Showing pumpkins from tiny to gigantic (one weighing more than 1,000 pounds), this record of a favorite American vegetable wins a blue ribbon.”

Professional Recommendation/Review #2: (School Library Journal)
“Kindergarten-Grade 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.”

Response to Two Professional Reviews: I absolutely agree with the professional reviews. This photographic essay is filled with beautiful photographs with different angles and different dimensions. I agree that it was also helpful that he included a step-by-step how to of how to carve a pumpkin to make it a jack-o-lantern, and of course did not forget to mention that an adult should be doing the cutting and other work that could be harmful to young hands.

Evaluation of Literary Elements: The book is filled with beautiful written language not in the style of a guide book full of facts. I really like his style of writing and how he artfully describes the information. The book is filled with beautiful descriptive language of not just pumpkins but all of nature.

Consideration of Instructional Application: I definitely think I would use this story in the classroom, especially in the younger grades. I really think they would like the part of the huge pumpkin contest where some of them weigh up to 1,000 pounds. It is also a great book to get them excited about the fall, and halloween while also learning valuable information about one of the most recognized treasures of nature in the fall. I think you could use this book and then have them paint pumpkins or bake pumpkin seeds and have them try them provided there are no allergies.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here's the life-cycle of the pumpkin, including those that get chosen to be Jack O'Lanterns. While I admire Robbins' photography skills, I felt this book was less successful than Pumpkin Circle: The Story of a Garden though the photography itself is arguably superior. First, Robbins' prose is not as inviting/interesting and, secondly, a few of the photographs are just too scary for young children, IMO. The scene with the ghoulish trick-or-treating faces reminded me of Death Eaters or Dementors from "Harry Potter" which would, I think, frighten sensitive children.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great photographs show autumn and pumpkin time on the farm! I really liked the super clear text and the photos that illustrated it superbly -- there's even a photo of a pumpkin bud opening into a flower in stages. I like that this book also goes into detail about how you carve your own jack-o'-lantern as a helpful review for a child to share a concept before you carve your own pumpkin or after for them to remember. Potentially scary photo of witch, ghosts, goblins (scary movie mask guy) in the book. Definite favorite we will look for again next year at the library.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

The photography in this book is beautiful. This is a great nonfiction choice for story time as it simply explains the life cycle of a pumpkin. The directions to carve a jack-o-lantern and the explanation that kids dress up for Halloween, near the end, are a bit tedious, but you can always improvise during those parts in the story. I also felt the bit about the seeds dying and the rotting pumpkins being eaten by animals was a little too depressing for my kids, so I left out a part or two there as well.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent example of narrative non-fiction. Seems almost a relief to have a non-fiction book that provides adequate detail without the use of access features that are almost taking over the nf genre! Expressive writing, "patchwork of pumpkins", 'positively huge" and 'splashing their color" makes this a great read aloud. Full page photos on right hand side compliment the text, however, one must notice that one layout reverses with the full page on the left-great to have students ponder this break in the layout.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ken Robbins' photographs enchant me with each of his books. The text of pumpkins is a very straightforward discussion of the life of a pumpking, from seed to jack o'lantern. What makes an average book better, though, are the photographs, which are what will make me keep looking for his nonfiction titles for my 4-year-old son (and the older kids, too).

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

So much potential: the storyline takes us from seed to plant to pumpkin and back to seeds.... but there are several pictures related to Halloween that make this book downright scary. The tone and feel of the rest of the book is very preschool-kindergarten friendly until the Halloween pictures, so they felt off to me.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Using photos from nature, this book gives a simple description of the life of a pumpkin from seed to harvest, as well as describing both culinary and cultural uses of the pumpkin. This book would be appropriate for an early reader, may need some assistance with words like "cornstalk", "positively", and "gigantic", and "thousand", etc.

[Sarah]

Good easy non-fiction, suitable for storytime or reading out loud for pre-k-1st grades.

[Tracie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome for this fall - could be good non-fiction pick for storytime, too.

[Karyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

witches and ghosties on one page. Marring an otherwise great pumpkin book. Might not be a good choice if trying to avoid Halloween.

[Jec · Rating 3 out of 5]

i love fall...what's better than a pumpkin patch and waiting for the great pumpkin. this book is filled with beautiful photographs. a wonderful read on an autumn day.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very simple non-fiction book about pumpkins told in picture-book story fashion. Gorgeous photos accompany child-friendly text.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicely-presented easy reader on the subject of the famous Fall gourd. A couple of the photographs seemed a bit odd choices for a picture book.

[Carissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Get an ADULT to cut the pumpkin, but you can use matches yourself to light the candle inside... Mostly I found it meh.

[Bree · Rating 2 out of 5]

Notes:
was great up till the halloween junk
really freaky photos of kids in horror movie masks
will not use this book because of that

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great nonfiction books for all ages. Includes many interesting facts about the life of a pumpkin from seed to jack o lantern.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful photographs all about pumpkins.

[Andréa · Rating 2 out of 5]

The photo quality could have been so much better.

[Jesse Leaver]

“Pumpkins” by Ken Robbins; Published by Square Fish in 2006
1. Awards this book has won: none
2. This book is appropriate for children in preschool through 1st grade.
3. Summary: The book goes through the lifecycle of the pumpkin plants, progressing through spring, summer, and fall. The book describes that pumpkins take three seasons to grow and features real photographs of pumpkins at different stages in growth and in different arrangements. The book points out that pumpkins can be many different sizes and colors, showing pictures to demonstrate this.
4. Review: This book is perfect for the fall when children are picking up pumpkins of their own to carve. The photographs are beautiful and show images that are likely familiar to most students. The book has plenty of details describing different facets of each stage in pumpkin growth.
5. Classroom uses:
a. Illustrate a pumpkin at a certain stage in its lifecycle then describe the stage.
b. Sing five little pumpkins.
c. Examine several different varieties of pumpkins, noting differences and similarities between the types.