The Magic Pumpkin

by Bill Martin Jr., John Archambault, Robert J. Lee (Illustrator)

A Halloween jack-o-lantern leads a band of mischief makers before getting snuffed out.

Genres: Picture Books, Halloween, Childrens, Fiction, Holiday, Fantasy

32 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 1989

About the author

Bill Martin, Jr. (1916-2004) was an elementary-school principal, teacher, writer, and poet. His more than 300 books, among them the bestselling classics Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See ; Polar Bear Polar Bear What Do You Hear ; Panda Bear Panda Bear What Do You See ; and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom , are a testament to his ability to speak directly to children. Martin held a doctoral degree in early childhood education. Born in Kansas, he worked as an elementary-school principal in Chicago before moving to New York City, where he worked in publishing, developing innovative reading programs for schools. After several years, he devoted himself full-time to writing his children's books. He lived in New York until 1993, when he moved to Texas. He lived in the east Texas woods, near the town of Commerce, until he passed away in 2004.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/billma...

Reviews

[Set · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice drawings of pumpkins and baddies. Perfect for Halloween.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

The narrator of this poetic picture book selects the perfect pumpkin guardian for his yard on Halloween night, carving it into a jack-o-lantern and setting it out. Unbeknownst to him however, this particular pumpkin is magic—the leader of the foolies against which he is meant to be guarding. It falls to the narrator to then plunge the jack-o-lantern into darkness by snuffing out his candle, thereby putting an end to the spell...

Although quite familiar with co-authors Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault—the pair also co-authored the classic Chicka Chicka Boom Boom , and Martin collaborated with Eric Carle on Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? and sequels—The Magic Pumpkin is the first of their books that I have actually picked up and read. I thought I would thoroughly enjoy it, given the authors' reputation, the cover image, and the Halloween theme, but instead I found myself mostly indifferent. The poetic text felt a little awkward in its structure, the story didn't speak to me, and I found the accompanying artwork from illustrator Robert J. Lee uninspiring. I did like the brief appearance of the two foxes, who "came out of the wood like hooded witches," but other than that, this is one I can take or leave. If half stars were available, I'd give it a rating of 2.5 stars, but as they're not, I've rounded up in honor of the season. That said, while I'm glad to have finally picked it up, as I've been curious about it for a few years, I don't strongly recommend it.

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

The narrator choses a pumpkin to become a jack-o'-lantern to guard his home against supernatural mischief makers on Halloween night only to discover that it is in league with them.

The mischievous fairies that appear are called "foolies."

The illustrations appear to have been done in watercolor.

The authors are also wrote Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, which is radically different in tone and content.

[Sean Harding · Rating 2 out of 5]

Martin Quest #25
The Martin quest hits 25 books and this one, well this was just weird, the whole American fascination with pumpkins and making lanterns or whatever they are out of pumpkins and then just a weird story's I assume it is Halloween related, but Americans are so bonkers it could be anything.
In the end nothing that really made me want to think about it again.

[Emily Charron · Rating 2 out of 5]

My students did not love this read aloud story. It was slow and some of the vocabulary and inspiration drawn from historical Halloween roots were unclear for elementary students. The illustrations were also not very engaging for my 1st-3rd grade students.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well that was...creepy. The pumpkin who promised to guard the house from baddies ended up leading the baddie band

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely to look at.

[IvyInThePages · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5 leaves out of 5
Characters: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Story: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Genre: Children
Type: Book
Worth?: Yes

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a unique and lyrical picture book. Lots of vocabulary to challenge (or perhaps overwhelm) young readers, and lovely illustrations.

[Katelyn Lopez · Rating 2 out of 5]

For one of my Halloween books, I chose to read “The Magic Pumpkin”, by Bill Martin Jr. This book is about a boy who goes to a garden to find the most perfect pumpkin to put into his yard. As he was looking, a very large pumpkin surprisingly whispered for the boy to choose him. Even though this frightened him, he gave the pumpkin eyes, a nose, and a mouth, and took him home with him. Once he put the pumpkin in his yard, a bunch of mischief started happening. Foxes, skunks, owls, and creepy mice all of a sudden appeared. He finally took out the pumpkins candlelight since he tricked him as being a good pumpkin. I thought this was a cute little story, although I do not really find any meaning to it. I guess it is just an entertaining holiday book for children to enjoy.

[Jenilyn Willis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would be a good one to read around Halloween time. It kind of had a spooky type feel to it and it's also about pumpkins. I think it would be fun to read to children because it's somewhat suspicious and they would enjoy that. However, it wasn't a spectacular story or anything. It was actually kind of odd. But I do still think it would be appropriate to read to children and they would like it.

[Paris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would not recommend this book. I was not impressed with illustrations nor the text. However, I managed to create a lesson using this book by having students change the ending. Despite the difficult to comprehend word usage (sorry), they enjoyed turning their pumpkins into whatever they wanted to.

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

SUMMARY: 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.

REVIEW: Great Halloween story to share with young children. Another great story from author Bill Martin Jr.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the illustrations. The prose itself was pretty, but wasn't easily understood by lower grades. "You traitor! Turncoat! Double cross! Tonight will be your albatross!" went over the heads of elementary students.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

A mischievous pumpkin promises to act as a scarecrow, but he's a turncoat until the jack-o-latern's carver regains control by outing his light.

The illustrations by Robert J. Lee are nice . . . better than the text.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pumpkin promises to protect someone from the Foolies if turned into a jack-o-lantern but turns out to be the leader of the foolies. Ryming text, mediocre illustrations, slightly creepy.

themes: Halloween, jack-o-lanterns, pumpkins

[Skylar Burris · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a bit hard for the kid to follow. Also, the meter is off.

[Claudia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was ok, but I don't know if I would read it again to students because it doesn't really have any special characteristic to it that the students would take with them.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty weird, pretty dark tale but good for a Halloween night. Remind's me of Child's Play where a creation turns evil.

[Kendra]

The Magic Pumpkin by Bill Martin Jr. is a fun holiday book for young readers. The main character picks a pumpkin out of a pumpkin patch that whispers to pick them. The pumpkin says that he will protect the child as the hooligans try to start trouble on Halloween night. As the night approaches, many animals come to stare at the pumpkin. Foxes, skunks, owls, and mice stare vat the pumpkin, some messing with it. As the trouble-makers come out the pumpkin takes a turn for the worse, and surprises the child by breaking his promise. The child now has to protect himself from all the trouble-makers and their leader pumpkin.

This creates the perfect spooky theme for young children wanting to read a Halloween book. The language rhymes and creates a better understanding for children. They are able to read the book better if there is a rhyming theme to the words, making the words flow together. This fun and spooky story creates a perfect Halloween mood, making children excited for the upcoming holiday.