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The Parable Series
The Parable Series: The Pumpkin Patch Parable
A heartwarming parable celebrating the harvest season uses the example of how a loving farmer can turn a simple pumpkin into a glorious sight, in the same way God's transforming love can fill each of us with joy and light.
20 pages, Board Book
First published August 11, 1995
29 people are currently reading
211 people want to read
About the author
Liz Curtis Higgs
76 books1,425 followersFormer 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
September 14, 2015
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!
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!
September 23, 2009
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.
November 3, 2015
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.
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.
October 16, 2025
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.
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.
August 31, 2021
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.
September 14, 2015
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!
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!
October 27, 2022
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.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
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.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
November 2, 2008
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.
October 30, 2013
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.
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.
October 30, 2013
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.
May 9, 2011
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.
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.
December 6, 2016
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 scripture associated with each page does not make up for the fact that it's still a Halloween book.
April 9, 2009
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".
July 24, 2011
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.
October 12, 2012
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.
October 26, 2013
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.
January 26, 2017
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.
July 7, 2008
This is a great "refurbishing" of the meaning of the Jack-O-Lantern from a Christian perspective. The Farmer is really Jesus Christ.
March 16, 2008
I've been reading this one to Blake since he was one and a half and he still loves it. This series is wonderful! :)
May 8, 2010
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.
November 8, 2010
Very cute book about how a pumpkin can make people smile.
January 2, 2011
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!!
March 6, 2012
Excellent book about explaining pumpkins and how God makes us all unique. Nothing scary about this book.
October 22, 2012
Great fall/Halloween book for my preschool Sunday School class
October 15, 2012
I loved the pictures in this parable about the light in a pumpkin and the light God can put into your life.
March 23, 2013
Good children's book.
June 10, 2017
Great book... Really good for Chidren
February 16, 2014
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.
November 13, 2016
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.
November 4, 2017
Great story
This was the perfect story to read at our local church Trunk or Treat. I highly recommend this book to everyone.
This was the perfect story to read at our local church Trunk or Treat. I highly recommend this book to everyone.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews