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Pick A Celebration
Pick a Pumpkin
Not yet published
Expected 7 Jul 26"This charming picture book is sure to get readers into the Halloween spirit. . . . A crowd-pleaser, perfect for home snuggling and group storytimes alike.”—Booklist (starred review)
Pairing a wonderfully rhythmic read-aloud text with expressive retro illustrations, the creators of Pick a Pine Tree here capture all the excitement and familial feeling of a favorite holiday tradition. Readers will be happy to follow along, from picking out the perfect specimen at the pumpkin patch (be sure to stop for cider and toffee apples) to carting it home, scooping out the insides, carving a scary face, and finally lighting a candle inside—savoring the familiar ritual of transforming an ordinary pumpkin into a one-of-a-kind glowing jack-o’-lantern.
Pairing a wonderfully rhythmic read-aloud text with expressive retro illustrations, the creators of Pick a Pine Tree here capture all the excitement and familial feeling of a favorite holiday tradition. Readers will be happy to follow along, from picking out the perfect specimen at the pumpkin patch (be sure to stop for cider and toffee apples) to carting it home, scooping out the insides, carving a scary face, and finally lighting a candle inside—savoring the familiar ritual of transforming an ordinary pumpkin into a one-of-a-kind glowing jack-o’-lantern.
32 pages, Board Book
First published July 1, 2019
4 people are currently reading
396 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Toht
13 books32 followersPatricia Toht once owned a children’s bookshop called Never Never Land before turning a love of books into a love of writing. Pick a Pine Tree is her debut picture book. Patricia Toht lives in Chicago, Illinois.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
September 3, 2019
From the duo that brought us ‘Pick a Pine Tree‘ in 2017 comes ‘Pick a Pumpkin’ the perfect book for Halloween.
In this rhyming hardcover book, you will meet a family at a Pumpkin farm ready to pick out their perfect pumpkins to carve into Jack-O’-Lanterns for Halloween.
Once the perfect pumpkins have been found and bought it is time to take them home and carve them into scary faces, along with the help of their friends. Don’t forget that the house needs decorating too to give it that eerie feeling. When everything is done it is time to light the pumpkins and enjoy the night.
I love Halloween (my logo might give that away), we buy numerous pumpkins to carve and line them up and wait for the trick or treaters to arrive. In the UK I’ve never seen a pumpkin farm but I can just imagine how amazing they must be.
The book is filled with everything Halloween should be for a child, from carving the pumpkins to dressing up in scary costumes. The illustrations by Jarvis are amazing and give the book that autumnal feel with the rich orange and purple colours.
From beginning to end this book is about celebrating Halloween and being together as a family. It is warm, comforting and just perfect for the upcoming Halloween season.
In this rhyming hardcover book, you will meet a family at a Pumpkin farm ready to pick out their perfect pumpkins to carve into Jack-O’-Lanterns for Halloween.
Once the perfect pumpkins have been found and bought it is time to take them home and carve them into scary faces, along with the help of their friends. Don’t forget that the house needs decorating too to give it that eerie feeling. When everything is done it is time to light the pumpkins and enjoy the night.
I love Halloween (my logo might give that away), we buy numerous pumpkins to carve and line them up and wait for the trick or treaters to arrive. In the UK I’ve never seen a pumpkin farm but I can just imagine how amazing they must be.
The book is filled with everything Halloween should be for a child, from carving the pumpkins to dressing up in scary costumes. The illustrations by Jarvis are amazing and give the book that autumnal feel with the rich orange and purple colours.
From beginning to end this book is about celebrating Halloween and being together as a family. It is warm, comforting and just perfect for the upcoming Halloween season.
October 31, 2023
A delightful children's book about the most vibrantly coloured season and one of the best "holidays" of the year: Halloween.
Children go out, pick a pumpkin and carve it into a jack-o lantern.
It's a fun book full of vibrant colours and decorations, but also of heart and spirit. That the story is told through rhymes only made it more enchanting.
Children go out, pick a pumpkin and carve it into a jack-o lantern.
It's a fun book full of vibrant colours and decorations, but also of heart and spirit. That the story is told through rhymes only made it more enchanting.
October 5, 2021
From picking the best pumpkin at the patch to going out trick-or-treating, this is a great introduction to Halloween traditions. It even gives step-by-step instructions for carving a jack-o'-lantern. The drawing style (generally 2D, and looks like it could be part cut paper collages, with some sponge painting) reminds me of Ezra Jack Keats and most of the characters are not white. There are lots of little autumnal details to pick out in the two-page spreads, with a black cat and crows on most pages and a set of twins and a mouse on some others. The rhymes are either in couplets or ABCB patterns. Perfect October reading.
September 22, 2020
I found this enjoyable if nothing particularly exciting. If you've read a lot of Halloweeny picture books you won't find much new here in terms of the story although I very much appreciate and applaud the diversity portrayed in the illustrations, including a mixed-race family as our protagonists.
October 24, 2019
American author Patricia Toht and British illustrator Jarvis, the team who produced
Pick a Pine Tree
in 2017, return with this new rhyming holiday picture-book. The text describes a visit to a pumpkin patch, the carving of a jack-o-lantern, and the preparation for Halloween festivities, while the lovely illustrations depict a mixed-race family at the center of a crowd of friends and fellow celebrants, all getting prepared for the big night...
With a rhyming text that reads well - "Let grown-ups cut the top a bit, / big enough for hands to fit. / Reach down deep into the hole, / grab the seeds and give a pull. / Lumpy chunks. Sticky string. / Clumpy seeds. Guts and things. / With a spoon, scrape sides neatly. / Clean the inside out completely" - and bright artwork that boasts plenty of beautiful autumnal colors, Pick a Pumpkin is a lovely new picture-book for Halloween time, and would make an excellent read-aloud selection at story-time. I am a little surprised that it was published so early in the year - it officially released two days ago (on July 9th) - but then, that's a sign of the times, I suppose. In two weeks time they'll probably have Christmas cards for sale at the stationary store. Recommended to anyone looking for new Halloween picture-books for this coming fall.
With a rhyming text that reads well - "Let grown-ups cut the top a bit, / big enough for hands to fit. / Reach down deep into the hole, / grab the seeds and give a pull. / Lumpy chunks. Sticky string. / Clumpy seeds. Guts and things. / With a spoon, scrape sides neatly. / Clean the inside out completely" - and bright artwork that boasts plenty of beautiful autumnal colors, Pick a Pumpkin is a lovely new picture-book for Halloween time, and would make an excellent read-aloud selection at story-time. I am a little surprised that it was published so early in the year - it officially released two days ago (on July 9th) - but then, that's a sign of the times, I suppose. In two weeks time they'll probably have Christmas cards for sale at the stationary store. Recommended to anyone looking for new Halloween picture-books for this coming fall.
October 21, 2019
It seems kids can't wait for Halloween and have been known to start thinking about costumes as early as September. It's just one of those high-anticipation holidays that is seeped in tradition, and one of those is a family trip into the country to pick out the perfect pumpkins to transform into a Jack-o-Lantern. At home, a space is cleared in the garage for the actual carving, just the right tools are choses, and friends are invited to come and carve their pumpkins, too. Carving is followed by decorating the house inside and out, and finally, dressed in costumes, it's time to light the Jack-o-Lantern: "its red-hot eyes/ will gaze/ and flicker/ Its fiery grin/will blaze and snicker,/to guard your house/while you have fun." Just like its Christmas predecessor, Pick a Pine Tree, this is also told in a four stanza rhyme describing each step taken to end up with a wonderful Jack-o-Lantern, and ending with a two page spread of decorated houses and costumed children and adults trick-or-treating with plenty of brightly lit pumpkins all around and a witch on her broom in the moonlight. Jarvis' pencil, chalk, and paint illustrations are done in a warm autumnal palette of oranges, reds, and yellows, and include diverse character throughout. This is a nice companion to Pick a Pine Tree and I suspect both will become favorites especially given the pleasing rhyme.
October 15, 2019
This beautifully designed book celebrates the Halloween season by taking the reader through the process of choosing a pumpkin, getting it ready for carving, and turning it into a jack-o'-lantern as well as getting ready for trick or treating. The rhymes are fun and rhythmic which makes for a great read aloud. But my favorite part of the book are the luminous illustrations. They are truly a work of art. A fun book to share at Halloween in preparation for a fabulous celebration.
October 3, 2022
Perfect little October read, a rhyming story of all the Halloween traditions. The illustrations are so gorgeous that I would frame them and use as decorations.
October 22, 2019
This is the second book I’ve read in what seems to be a series, the first being ‘Pick a Pine Tree’ and it’s a very fun book with some brilliant illustrations. ‘Pick a Pumpkin’ is a hardback book a little bit wider than A4 in size and is filled with thick matt pages of very colourful illustrations and text. The front cover has both a more matt finish with extra glosy details like the pumkins and it’s difficult to see from some pictures but the title is in a glittery gold that reflects in the light – an added detail that makes the book just feel that bit more special.
The story is a simple one and follows the children of a family as they pick up a pumkin from a farm and take it home to be scooped out, cut and turned into a jack-o-lantern in time for Halloween. The story is made up of rhymes a lot of which work but unlike the other book I read, ‘Pick a Pine Tree’, this one’s rhyming isn’t as good. There is a familiar rhyming pattern on most pages and the author does a good job of rhyming many of the words, but I couldn’t help but notice that some words that were meant to rhyme just didn’t, like ‘hole’ and ‘pull’ which just left the rhythm of the book feeling awkward on some pages. Despite the rhyming, the story is fun, it follows the things that kids will do when creating a jack-o-lantern: the fun of selecting the pumpkin, the mess and actions of scooping out the seeds, the fun of choosing, creating and carving out a face. There are lots of words that evoke the actions and those feelings of excitment that children will feel, especially if it’s one of their first halloweens.
The illustrations are what really brings this book to life. There is a lot of detail on each page and they are bursting with colour. I already enjoy Jarvis’s style of illustrations but in this book there’s just so many little details to look at, the birds on the first pages, black cats, I even like the sneaky reference to the author and illustrator whose names appear on a couple of shops in the background. The pictures on different pages also reflect the mood of that part of the story, the earlier pictures at the farm having a more autumnal feel,and the later, nightime illustrations having a darker yet bolder tone. My favourite images has to be towards the end, when the family’s faces are all lit up by the pumpkin glow. The effect on that image is just amazing.
I have really enjoyed looking at this book and in general I enjoyed the story too. I would have preferred it if every page rhymed, especially as when reading this to kids you get into a flow and a few times I felt that flow disappear, particularly on the page with all the different pumpkin faces. But on the whole it’s still a lovely book and I’m sure it will get plenty of children excited about the process of creating a jack-o-lantern and having fun on Halloween.
-Thanks to Walker Books for a free copy for review.
The story is a simple one and follows the children of a family as they pick up a pumkin from a farm and take it home to be scooped out, cut and turned into a jack-o-lantern in time for Halloween. The story is made up of rhymes a lot of which work but unlike the other book I read, ‘Pick a Pine Tree’, this one’s rhyming isn’t as good. There is a familiar rhyming pattern on most pages and the author does a good job of rhyming many of the words, but I couldn’t help but notice that some words that were meant to rhyme just didn’t, like ‘hole’ and ‘pull’ which just left the rhythm of the book feeling awkward on some pages. Despite the rhyming, the story is fun, it follows the things that kids will do when creating a jack-o-lantern: the fun of selecting the pumpkin, the mess and actions of scooping out the seeds, the fun of choosing, creating and carving out a face. There are lots of words that evoke the actions and those feelings of excitment that children will feel, especially if it’s one of their first halloweens.
The illustrations are what really brings this book to life. There is a lot of detail on each page and they are bursting with colour. I already enjoy Jarvis’s style of illustrations but in this book there’s just so many little details to look at, the birds on the first pages, black cats, I even like the sneaky reference to the author and illustrator whose names appear on a couple of shops in the background. The pictures on different pages also reflect the mood of that part of the story, the earlier pictures at the farm having a more autumnal feel,and the later, nightime illustrations having a darker yet bolder tone. My favourite images has to be towards the end, when the family’s faces are all lit up by the pumpkin glow. The effect on that image is just amazing.
I have really enjoyed looking at this book and in general I enjoyed the story too. I would have preferred it if every page rhymed, especially as when reading this to kids you get into a flow and a few times I felt that flow disappear, particularly on the page with all the different pumpkin faces. But on the whole it’s still a lovely book and I’m sure it will get plenty of children excited about the process of creating a jack-o-lantern and having fun on Halloween.
-Thanks to Walker Books for a free copy for review.
October 2, 2019
A darling rhyming story of a interracial family picking pumpkins, taking them home and carving to make jack-o-lanterns.
The illustrations are amazing! I love the storyline. Be forewarned that the rhyming is clumsy at times, so lots of practice before storytime.
The illustrations are amazing! I love the storyline. Be forewarned that the rhyming is clumsy at times, so lots of practice before storytime.
September 27, 2019
THE ART IS SO BEAUTIFUL. IT WARMS MY HEART.
I will probably purchase this in the future just read it all year around.
Recommend for all people with spooky, autumn soul <3
I will probably purchase this in the future just read it all year around.
Recommend for all people with spooky, autumn soul <3
December 27, 2021
Beautiful illustrations and a fun storyline to keep the kids interested.
February 19, 2023
I love Halloween, and this book captures the fun of picking a pumpkin and carving it.
September 6, 2024
We loved this Halloween story about picking a pumpkin to carve into a jack-o-lantern. Short story, told in rhyme. Fun fall/Halloween read.
September 3, 2019
Last year I fell in love with Pick a Pine Tree by Patricia Toht which turned out to be the perfect book to prepare for all that is Christmas. It's a book that that still remains a favorite for my youngest granddaughter. This year, Toht, has a new gem, Pick a Pumpkin. a beautiful book about family and a story that gets us into the mood for fall festivities. This one is another winner.
In this fall delight a young family gets ready for fall by a trip to the pumpkin patch to pick the perfect pumpkin to take home and carve into a Jack-0-Lantern for Halloween. The story is told in fun rhymes
and is beautifully illustrated by: Jarvis. The fall colors are vibrant and fun; some illustrations have an old-fashioned feel while others seem very modern and the whole carving of the Jack-o-lantern process is both fun and quirky. This is one of those lovely books that I consider keepers: a relatable story of family and creating memories together.
In this fall delight a young family gets ready for fall by a trip to the pumpkin patch to pick the perfect pumpkin to take home and carve into a Jack-0-Lantern for Halloween. The story is told in fun rhymes
and is beautifully illustrated by: Jarvis. The fall colors are vibrant and fun; some illustrations have an old-fashioned feel while others seem very modern and the whole carving of the Jack-o-lantern process is both fun and quirky. This is one of those lovely books that I consider keepers: a relatable story of family and creating memories together.
November 26, 2019
MY THOUGHTS:
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
This book is Halloween themed. It is written in verse. It's about picking a pumpkin, deciding which one you like the best, then choosing it for carving from all the rest...
Okay, okay... After you carve the pumpkin into Jack 'O Lanterns, then it's time to get dressed in costumes to go Trick or Treating and out for all kinds of Halloween fun!
Bright Fall colors and one-dimensional illustrations fill the pages. This is a typical Halloween book that I've seen many times. What makes it different from all the rest is the verse. The artwork is not my favorite, but it's effective.
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
This book is Halloween themed. It is written in verse. It's about picking a pumpkin, deciding which one you like the best, then choosing it for carving from all the rest...
Okay, okay... After you carve the pumpkin into Jack 'O Lanterns, then it's time to get dressed in costumes to go Trick or Treating and out for all kinds of Halloween fun!
Bright Fall colors and one-dimensional illustrations fill the pages. This is a typical Halloween book that I've seen many times. What makes it different from all the rest is the verse. The artwork is not my favorite, but it's effective.
August 12, 2019
If you need a pumpkin themed story for Halloween read aloud.
Could be used to introduce ELL and newly immigrated students to carving pumpkins.
Could be used to introduce ELL and newly immigrated students to carving pumpkins.
February 9, 2019
No fall or Halloween book collection will be complete without this sure-to-become-a-favorite ode to picking a pumpkin and carving a face. From crisp leaves and toffee apples to dangling bats and stretchy cobwebs, Toht's text and Jarvis' modern yet nostalgic illustrations capture the joys of preparing for Halloween. The rhymes are at times lyrical, often playful, and always filled with a warm, cozy sense of community, celebration and tradition.
July 2, 2019
Misses the magic of Pick a Pine Tree, but I think that's just because Christmas is more magical.
November 5, 2019
Von dem Duo, das in 2017 bereits „Pick a Pine Tree“, ein Weihnachtsbilderbuch, heraus brachte, gibt es in diesem Jahr ein neues Bilderbuch und zwar „Pick a Pumpkin“, ein Buch, nicht nur perfekt für Halloween, sondern perfekt für den Herbst.
In dieser wunderschönen Geschichte trifft sich eine Familie auf einer Kürbisfarm auf der Suche nach dem perfekten Kürbis, um ihn an Halloween in einen Jack-O-Lantern zu verwandeln. Nachdem die Kürbisse ausgewählt und gekauft wurden, ist es an der Zeit, sie mit nach Hause zu nehmen und sie mit Hilfe ihrer Freunde in unheimliche und gruselige Halloweenfratzen zu verwandeln. Doch das ist natürlich nicht alles, natürlich muss auch das Haus entsprechend dekoriert werden. Sobald all dies erledigt ist, ist endlich die Zeit gekommen, die Jack-O-Lanterns anzuzünden und den Abend zu genießen.
Das Buch ist mit all diesen wunderschönen Dingen gefüllt, die Halloween – insbesondere für Kinder – zu etwas ganz Besonderem machen. Vom Schnitzen der Kürbisse, übers Dekorieren der Wohnung bis hin zum Verkleiden.
Wie auch schon in „Pick a Pine Tree“, das ich euch vor zwei Jahren zu Weihnachten vorgestellt hatte, sind die Illustrationen einfach atemberaubend schön und verleihen dem Buch mit ihren satten orangefarbenen, rötlichen und violetten Farben die perfekte herbstliche Note und schaffen eine ganz wundervolle Atmosphäre, rund um diese wahnsinnig süße Geschichte.
Diese Geschichte strahlt eine ganz wunderbare Wärme aus, Herzlichkeit und zeigt, wie schön es ist, gemeinsam Zeit mit den Menschen zu verbringen, die uns wichtig sind. Und da es natürlich um Halloween geht, ist es einfach perfekt für diese Jahreszeit – auch, wenn Halloween bereits (leider) vorüber ist. Ich habe das Buch, seit ich es habe, bereits mehrere Male durchgeblättert und bleibe jedes Mal hängen an diesen unglaublich schönen Illustrationen und vor allen Dingen den satten, herbstlichen Farben. In meinen Augen ist dieses Buch – wie auch schon sein Vorgänger „Pick a Pine Tree“ ein absolutes Muss für jedes Kind.
In dieser wunderschönen Geschichte trifft sich eine Familie auf einer Kürbisfarm auf der Suche nach dem perfekten Kürbis, um ihn an Halloween in einen Jack-O-Lantern zu verwandeln. Nachdem die Kürbisse ausgewählt und gekauft wurden, ist es an der Zeit, sie mit nach Hause zu nehmen und sie mit Hilfe ihrer Freunde in unheimliche und gruselige Halloweenfratzen zu verwandeln. Doch das ist natürlich nicht alles, natürlich muss auch das Haus entsprechend dekoriert werden. Sobald all dies erledigt ist, ist endlich die Zeit gekommen, die Jack-O-Lanterns anzuzünden und den Abend zu genießen.
Das Buch ist mit all diesen wunderschönen Dingen gefüllt, die Halloween – insbesondere für Kinder – zu etwas ganz Besonderem machen. Vom Schnitzen der Kürbisse, übers Dekorieren der Wohnung bis hin zum Verkleiden.
Wie auch schon in „Pick a Pine Tree“, das ich euch vor zwei Jahren zu Weihnachten vorgestellt hatte, sind die Illustrationen einfach atemberaubend schön und verleihen dem Buch mit ihren satten orangefarbenen, rötlichen und violetten Farben die perfekte herbstliche Note und schaffen eine ganz wundervolle Atmosphäre, rund um diese wahnsinnig süße Geschichte.
Diese Geschichte strahlt eine ganz wunderbare Wärme aus, Herzlichkeit und zeigt, wie schön es ist, gemeinsam Zeit mit den Menschen zu verbringen, die uns wichtig sind. Und da es natürlich um Halloween geht, ist es einfach perfekt für diese Jahreszeit – auch, wenn Halloween bereits (leider) vorüber ist. Ich habe das Buch, seit ich es habe, bereits mehrere Male durchgeblättert und bleibe jedes Mal hängen an diesen unglaublich schönen Illustrationen und vor allen Dingen den satten, herbstlichen Farben. In meinen Augen ist dieses Buch – wie auch schon sein Vorgänger „Pick a Pine Tree“ ein absolutes Muss für jedes Kind.
September 24, 2019
The Great Pumpkin!
PLEASE READ THIS ON MY BLOG: http://bookreadingtic.com/2019/09/23/... THANK YOU!
Illustrated by Jarvis
Join the good times this family has as they take part in fall activities. It begins by visiting a pumpkin patch and selecting their favorite squash. Friends and family gather as the kids learn to scoop out the insides while deciding what to carve on it. Later on, the family dresses in costumes as together they go house to house getting treats. But the most exciting thing is seeing their carved pumpkin with a light inside glowing in the night.
Children will enjoy seeing the transformation of the pumpkin, along with all the merry making the family has along the way. Besides the pumpkin shining, this story shines, too. That is because everything about this tale involves family, along with the fun everyone has doing things with each other. Jarvis provided eye-catching, colorful illustrations on every page that captures all the festivity--including the glow of the many pumpkins sprinkled across the pages. This over-sized, hardbacked, 5-star book will be a favorite of children all year long.
Candlewick Press has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of Pick a Pumpkin, for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
PLEASE READ THIS ON MY BLOG: http://bookreadingtic.com/2019/09/23/... THANK YOU!
Illustrated by Jarvis
Join the good times this family has as they take part in fall activities. It begins by visiting a pumpkin patch and selecting their favorite squash. Friends and family gather as the kids learn to scoop out the insides while deciding what to carve on it. Later on, the family dresses in costumes as together they go house to house getting treats. But the most exciting thing is seeing their carved pumpkin with a light inside glowing in the night.
Children will enjoy seeing the transformation of the pumpkin, along with all the merry making the family has along the way. Besides the pumpkin shining, this story shines, too. That is because everything about this tale involves family, along with the fun everyone has doing things with each other. Jarvis provided eye-catching, colorful illustrations on every page that captures all the festivity--including the glow of the many pumpkins sprinkled across the pages. This over-sized, hardbacked, 5-star book will be a favorite of children all year long.
Candlewick Press has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of Pick a Pumpkin, for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
October 18, 2024
This was just okay. The writing is very simple and basic, and the illustrations are in a style I don’t like. Idk what this style is called but I don’t care for it at all. The glittery title is very misleading because there is none of that in the book.
The people just looked weird. One man had a bears but it looked like soot had been smeared across his face the way it was so uneven. It looked ridiculous!
The writing felt like it could have been better in several places.
“Pumpkin snugly in your arms, wheel a wagon through the farm.”
It captured the process of carving the pumpkin, pulling the seeds out, sticky strings and “guts and things,” and scraping the sides.
The best part of the writing was when it came to carving the face. I actually enjoyed the rhyming more and the wording.
“Carve the eyes.
Giant circles of surprise.
Small slits sleeping
Or one eye peeping.
Cross-eyed crazy.
Angry. Lazy.”
It covered the various options for eyes, nose, and mouth.
It then touched on decorating, getting dressed for trick or treating, then it becoming a Jack-o-lantern once it’s lit.
The cat was adorable on one page when it was facing the reader and both eyes were showing for a change rather than profile, a sweet little smile as it reached into the bowl of pumpkin guts. I also liked the little witch silhouette on her broom in front of the moon.
This wasn’t anything new and the writing wasn’t good enough for it to stand out, or the illustrations nice enough to want to look at.
The people just looked weird. One man had a bears but it looked like soot had been smeared across his face the way it was so uneven. It looked ridiculous!
The writing felt like it could have been better in several places.
“Pumpkin snugly in your arms, wheel a wagon through the farm.”
It captured the process of carving the pumpkin, pulling the seeds out, sticky strings and “guts and things,” and scraping the sides.
The best part of the writing was when it came to carving the face. I actually enjoyed the rhyming more and the wording.
“Carve the eyes.
Giant circles of surprise.
Small slits sleeping
Or one eye peeping.
Cross-eyed crazy.
Angry. Lazy.”
It covered the various options for eyes, nose, and mouth.
It then touched on decorating, getting dressed for trick or treating, then it becoming a Jack-o-lantern once it’s lit.
The cat was adorable on one page when it was facing the reader and both eyes were showing for a change rather than profile, a sweet little smile as it reached into the bowl of pumpkin guts. I also liked the little witch silhouette on her broom in front of the moon.
This wasn’t anything new and the writing wasn’t good enough for it to stand out, or the illustrations nice enough to want to look at.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2019
Having read Pick a Pine Tree last Christmas I was excited to read Pick a Pumpkin with the children and they loved it! They got very excited to see a Halloween story and will now refer to it as just that as they still ask for it to be read even though it's mid November.
The story follows the journey of picking and carving a pumpkin ready for Halloween. Where we live it is not common to visit a pumpkin farm and so I thought it would be an interesting story for them to see the whole process and how some other cultures, like America, choose to celebrate Halloween. I am really pleased with the storyline in the book as, like the previous book, the journey from start to end flows very well and is so detailed. This really helped the children understand what was going on and kept their interest throughout.
The illustrations in the book are gorgeous with lots of autumnal scenes and some spookier and Halloween ones too (these were the children's favourite pictures!) Seeing all of the pumpkins made them very excited and they couldn't wait to share with the other children what they had done for Halloween. It is always lovely to see a book prompt further conversations from them in this way.
The book doesn't follow any particular characters so it give a good general view over what happens for the occasion. We really enjoyed this story, perfect for younger children to learn a bit about pumpkins with a fun but not scary Halloween read!
The story follows the journey of picking and carving a pumpkin ready for Halloween. Where we live it is not common to visit a pumpkin farm and so I thought it would be an interesting story for them to see the whole process and how some other cultures, like America, choose to celebrate Halloween. I am really pleased with the storyline in the book as, like the previous book, the journey from start to end flows very well and is so detailed. This really helped the children understand what was going on and kept their interest throughout.
The illustrations in the book are gorgeous with lots of autumnal scenes and some spookier and Halloween ones too (these were the children's favourite pictures!) Seeing all of the pumpkins made them very excited and they couldn't wait to share with the other children what they had done for Halloween. It is always lovely to see a book prompt further conversations from them in this way.
The book doesn't follow any particular characters so it give a good general view over what happens for the occasion. We really enjoyed this story, perfect for younger children to learn a bit about pumpkins with a fun but not scary Halloween read!
October 22, 2019
Remember Pick A Pine Tree? I do and loved it. Here is another by Patricia Toht with perfect rhyming and a story from family to friends to neighborhood traditions, illustrated by Jarvis with pencil, chalk, paint and digital color in sunshine first at the pumpkin patch through evening, then dusky dark at the end when all is lit and Halloween arrives! It's hard to pick a favorite page spread. My favorite crows are there in day with bats replacing later in the dark. A black cat can be found on every page, a fun thing for readers, but when the pumpkins are carved, the faces delight, and first before lighting, time to decorate:
" Cobwebs strung from post to post.
Rings of gauzy dancing ghosts.
Spiders. Tombstones.
Dangling bats.
Skeletons and witches' hats."
Patricia Toht and Jarvis have given us readers another wonder of a book, yes, a Halloween treat, but those autumn illustrations make it a celebration of the season, too! It's wonderful.
Thanks to Candlewick Press for the copy!
" Cobwebs strung from post to post.
Rings of gauzy dancing ghosts.
Spiders. Tombstones.
Dangling bats.
Skeletons and witches' hats."
Patricia Toht and Jarvis have given us readers another wonder of a book, yes, a Halloween treat, but those autumn illustrations make it a celebration of the season, too! It's wonderful.
Thanks to Candlewick Press for the copy!
November 4, 2019
This follow up to Pick a Pine Tree invites readers into the autumn bounty of choosing a pumpkin and creating a jack-o-lantern. The book moves quickly through the pumpkin patch with its mix of sweet fall treats and fields of pumpkins. The family then returns home to clean their pumpkins up, find the tools they need, and get set up in the garage. Friends are invited over to carve pumpkins with them. The goopy insides are scooped, faces are chosen and candles are lit inside.
With so many rhyming picture books, Toht’s skill demonstrates what a rhyme should bring to a children’s book. It offers a great rollicking feel to the book and brings a celebratory tone to it as well. Combined with Jarvis’ deep-colored illustrations, the entire book is a pleasure and takes readers directly into the harvest spirit. Jarvis includes a racially diverse cast of characters in his images. Nicely, this book stays realistic and doesn’t introduce witches or ghosts, so it’s just right for little ones who aren’t looking for anything scary at Halloween.
A glowing picture book about pumpkins, jack-o-lanterns and family. Appropriate for ages 2-4.
With so many rhyming picture books, Toht’s skill demonstrates what a rhyme should bring to a children’s book. It offers a great rollicking feel to the book and brings a celebratory tone to it as well. Combined with Jarvis’ deep-colored illustrations, the entire book is a pleasure and takes readers directly into the harvest spirit. Jarvis includes a racially diverse cast of characters in his images. Nicely, this book stays realistic and doesn’t introduce witches or ghosts, so it’s just right for little ones who aren’t looking for anything scary at Halloween.
A glowing picture book about pumpkins, jack-o-lanterns and family. Appropriate for ages 2-4.
August 31, 2019
Cooler nights the past week have hinted at the nearness of autumn. There's not as much birdsong in the air in the mornings signaling the beginning of their migration south for the winter. Farmers' markets are filled with an abundance of summer-harvest fruits, vegetables, flowers, honey and other homemade delicacies.
Pumpkins are ripening on their vines. It's that special time of year to make selections for celebrations of Halloween. Pick a Pumpkin (Candlewick Press, July 9, 2019), a companion to Pick a Pine Tree (Candlewick Press, September 19, 2017) written by Patricia Toht with illustrations by Jarvis follows a family from seeking the perfect pumpkins to strolling through their neighborhood on a spooky October 31st.
My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
Pumpkins are ripening on their vines. It's that special time of year to make selections for celebrations of Halloween. Pick a Pumpkin (Candlewick Press, July 9, 2019), a companion to Pick a Pine Tree (Candlewick Press, September 19, 2017) written by Patricia Toht with illustrations by Jarvis follows a family from seeking the perfect pumpkins to strolling through their neighborhood on a spooky October 31st.
My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
November 13, 2019
A family picks pumpkins at the pumpkin patch and then carves them into Jack-O'-Lanterns before trick-or-treating.
This picture book captures the childhood magic of Halloween as a loving and ethnically diverse family celebrates with the tradition of pumpkin carving, accompanied by decorations, costumes, and trick-or-treating.
The illustrations are amazing. They were done with digitally colored pencil, chalk, and paint. There is a great balance between the warm and cool colors. The reds and oranges in the autumnal color palate smolder, and the Jack-O'-Lantern glows.
The text leaves a lot to be desired. The rhyme scheme is irregular, sometimes AABB, sometimes ABAC, and sometimes something else. The rhythm suffers because of this, and the orphan words connected by ellipses to a couplet or stanza on the next page are disruptive rather than connective. Prose instead of forced rhymes might have served the story better.
This picture book captures the childhood magic of Halloween as a loving and ethnically diverse family celebrates with the tradition of pumpkin carving, accompanied by decorations, costumes, and trick-or-treating.
The illustrations are amazing. They were done with digitally colored pencil, chalk, and paint. There is a great balance between the warm and cool colors. The reds and oranges in the autumnal color palate smolder, and the Jack-O'-Lantern glows.
The text leaves a lot to be desired. The rhyme scheme is irregular, sometimes AABB, sometimes ABAC, and sometimes something else. The rhythm suffers because of this, and the orphan words connected by ellipses to a couplet or stanza on the next page are disruptive rather than connective. Prose instead of forced rhymes might have served the story better.
November 17, 2019
I rated this book with 5 stars just due to the illustrations alone. They are gorgeous and they build and get better as the stories go on . I think Halloween and fall in general can lend it self to some not so great children stories, but this one is packed with poetry and beautiful vocabulary. It is geared to K-3, but I think could also be used for pre-k. I would use it for vocabulary purposes or as part of a poetry unit. I think the vocabulary is enhanced throughout the story but not intimidating to a group of second grade students. This would make a great mentor text for students to write their own poetry. With lines like “brush or wipe your pumpkin clean. Rub it smooth and make it gleam. Find the perfect carving space, lined with papers just in case”. This is a 2019 book and may not be one you have in your library. You must add to it, it is so visually stunning.
October 5, 2020
Pumpkins, pumpkins, “vivid orange, ghostly white, so speckled green might be just right.” A family is on a search for the perfect pumpkin while enjoying wonderful fall treats. The beautiful digitally colored illustrations are drawn in pencil, chalk, and paint, capturing the essences of fall magnificently. The friendly and warm pages of the book take the reader through the process of cleaning and carving a pumpkin with a “pumpkin carving crew.” Circles, triangles, thin, and thick are some of the parts that help do the trick. Putting on a costume, decorating the house, lighting the candle inside the pumpkin, are ways this crew celebrate and guard their house. This is a great children's book that goes through the process and celebration of the fall season making it great for open discussions about community (crew) with young children.
March 31, 2019
THEY'RE BAAAACK! The wonderful team that created the fabulous holiday book, PICK A PINE TREE, is back with this gorgeous new picture book to celebrate all-things-fall with PICK A PUMPKIN! Author Patricia Toht's charming rhymes will inspire every family to head to their local pumpkin patch to find the beauty that is just right to carve and place on their front porch. Illustrator Jarvis creates another masterpiece with his beautiful art highlighting autumn's changing colors--you can feel the chill in the air and taste the hot cider shown in his picture-perfect scenes. Don't miss this wonderful choice to get your family in the mood for fall, pumpkin-picking and prepped for Halloween! And, a great gift-giving title that will be read over and over again . . .
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