Pumpkin Books

Scholastic put out a tape many years ago with this book being read to music. It is the most fabulous addition to this book. I've seen 3-5 year olds with special needs who won't sit for anything, perk up and take interest when this book is read along with the tape. Unfortunately you can't really find it anymore. If you do come across it, GET IT!

This is my very favorite story to read at Halloween. I read this story to my preschool class every year. The children love the pictures and the repetition. After a few pages they will begin to recite the verse "Drat" along with the characters. I ordered several copies so I could put it in the listening center. I also have the cassette tape to play along with the story.

This book is one of my favorite of all time! It takes Halloween characters and makes them fun. The story is all about working together toward a common goal-making pumpkin pie. This story can be acted out with preschool students. It also has an audiotape that you can't miss with! Even my students with short attention spans pay attention and participate with this one. When we are done reading it for the week, we make pumpkin pie. A great ending to a fun week!

This is a great book for kids 3-5 my kids loved it thought the pictures were wonderful and a good non-scary alternative for halloween stories.

Big Pumpkin is so Big in our house, it's read all the time...Oh and our son loves it too!

Once my son (4 years old) discovered and fell in love with Big Pumpkin it didn't matter if it was Halloween or not. The story is nothing short of hilarious, the illustrations could not be better suited and truly compliment this book where so many others fall short. My husband and I get such a kick out of reading this book as well, we practically know it by heart and have been known to recite it in jest around the house. One of my favorite things about this book is that it introduces the so-called "scary" characters of Halloween, the Ghost, the Vampire, the Mummy, the Bat, and the Witch in the most loveable manner with such simple and innocent humor that it completely removes any possible thought of "scary" for our little ones. Big Pumpkin can make you befriend a Witch, want to help out a Vampire, and just love your "Mummy"! Don't wait until Halloween, buy it now, it's too cute to pass up.

I did not know the extent to which my daughter would come to love this book when I purchased it. Had I known, I would have found a hardcover edition. Let me just say, this is the first book that my almost 4 year old memorized (word for word). This is the first book that my 9 year old will go to when he wants to read to her (e.g. he wants to read it and needs an excuse).

It is a warm tale about friendship, sharing, and overcoming conflict/compromise. It handles conflict naturally (e.g. real characters that really argue and act just like my kids). Real characters with real feelings and vivid imaginations portrayed with flawless, humorous illustrations (we especially love when Squirrel and Cat envision Duck's new shop). The colors of the artwork are warm and orange - just like pumpkin soup. You feel like you are peering in on their lives (like the two little bugs that appear on every page). Most importantly, this book does not come off preachy - so I think it rings true with children. In fact, my daughter uses this book to relate sharing issues - all I need to say is "remember how Duck wanted to use Squirrel's special spoon?" and she gets it - instantly.

And - for some odd reason - my children are now fascinated with pumpkins and want to cook. We have made pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, pumpkin ravioli... and.... Pumpkin soup - The Best You Ever Tasted!

I like how the characters finally work together to create harmony. It's a great, simple lesson. The illustrations are very nice and I love the feel of the book. Great choice for the 4-8 set!

I read this book to my elementary and special education students last week and I included some music from Ireland which included bagpipes and violin. I also added a country banjo song, too.
It was great fun! It's a wonderful story for all!

This book has a wonderful theme of what to do when change occurs. It shows how friendship can sustain mishaps. It had too many words for my students in preschool special class, and the illustrations were busy as well. My own elementary age kids loved it though!

Today my multi-age preschool class (3 yrs-5 yrs) sat silently and wide eyed as I read "Pumpkin Soup". The three characters and their relationship to one another were so clearly defined in the first few sentences that the children were mesmerized. The illustrations are soft but detailed. This was a perfect addition to our unit of study on pumpkins.

Although the thoughts are a bit strange and outlandish, this book will make everyone laugh and recall their childhood questions and thoughts. For children and adults, ages 3 to 103, this will quickly become your favorite. Pick up a copy and see for yourself.

This book is hilarious. LW Lewis out shines any other childrens poet writer. Every poem on every page is knee slapping hilarious. Every teacher should read a poem a day to their class. They would become the coolest teacher. EVerytime we finish our work early we all sit quietly in hopes that our teacher will read us a poem. Some of them have a lesson within the funny story.

If you are a kid who is always is blue and have no good humour then you are going to want to read this book.There is a lot of a funny poems in this book and you'll go nuts to read them again so aftrer yuo read this you will go nuts.

We are two fifth grade girls from Waccamaw Elem. L.W Lewis came to our school and read some of his poems we think he is a superb author and that everyone should read his wonderous poem book called "Why Do Flies Eat Doggy Poop?" and "Poodles,tigers,monsters and you"!!!! sit back relax and read a few poems by L.W.Lewis ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This book is so good you will laugh your pants off. Litterally! Parents think that this book is bad but really it has some good teaching poems that rock out loud. Some are serious and they also have morals. L.W Lewis is one of the best poem writer that has ever came to our school. All Mr.Lewis wants to do is make people laugh. You should read his book sometime!

We love all of Barbara Robinson's books. My family read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever when I was young and I read it to my daughter as soon as she was old enough to listen. This book like her other "Best" books make you laugh out loud at the characters and make you see true human nature. It is not just a children's book by any means. I could pick one up and sit down and read it for a good laugh anytime. Halloween is a favorite holiday in our house which made this one appealing. I would highly recommend any of Barbara Robinson's book and especially "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" and "The Best School Year Ever" as well. We read all of them out loud to the family or on a long ride and it makes that time go by quickly and with a lot of laughter.

This book is crazy! The Herdmans go into their school for halloween and steal all the candy. When the other kids are looking for the candy, they turn off the power! You really should read this cause it will make you fall over laughing!

Those of you who have read the original Herdman saga, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" will enjoy hearing from the Herdmans again. Yes, there are some unrealistic parts of the story, but that was true of the first story, too. This one is funny and enjoyable, without being too long. A nice addition to your Herdman library.

While the Herdmans wrecked lots of the town, they manage to disguise themselves to make the most boring school Halloween party the BEST Halloween party when they give all the children a room full of candy. Funny and surprising this book was a ton of fun for a Saturday read. Makes me want to read other stories about the Herdmans.

It's a known fact that whenever there's trouble, the six Herdman kids are behind it. Lose a pair of pants? It's the Herdmans. Find your window broken? The Herdmans are behind it. Find yourself painted green? Blame the Herdmans. It never gets old. Or, at least it never got old before. But this year is different. This year, as everyone is preparing for Halloween, and loading up on candy, the Mayor does something drastic to protect the town from the Herdmans...he cancels Halloween. Sure, without Halloween, the Herdmans are sure to keep their distance from everyone, and cease from stealing the candy that every child has collected. But without the Herman's to contend with, it would also mean that candy is banned for the season. And Halloween just isn't Halloween with a heaping bag full of goodies that will rot your teeth and make you sick. Now, Halloween has turned into a horrible, boring event that will take place at school, with a bunch of parents dressed up as witches and ghouls, ghosts and monsters. Instead of candy, there'll be donuts. Instead of trick-or-treating, there'll be supervised bobbing for apples. This is sure to be the worst Halloween ever, Herdmans or not. But when the lights go off, suddenly everything changes, and everyone begins to wonder whether the Herdmans have what it takes to pull off a spooktacular Halloween that will leave the town cheering.

I don't know how Barbara Robinson does it, but she manages to turn every holiday from a bad experience into the best day ever, and all with the help of the Herdman clan. The Herdmans are enjoyable characters, who, regardless of their bad behavior, knack for pulling pranks everywhere they go, and ability to steal just about anything, obviously have a soft spot, and it is showcased in Robinson's Halloween effort THE BEST HALLOWEEN EVER. Robinson shows a different side of the Herdmans in this particular installment into their trying life, allowing readers to see the kindness that they can emanate, when they feel the need. If you're looking for a spooktacular tale this Halloween featuring some tricks, and quite a few treats, look no further than THE BEST HALLOWEEN EVER.

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

Who knew a book about pumpkins could be so entertaining and exhilarating. This book touches on everything from single-parent families to a young girl's coming of age and determination to make her deceased mother proud.

Mildred's determination, anticipation, and sometimes disappointing attempts at growing the largest pumpkin for the annual festival, grabs and keeps the reader's attention throughout the book. I only wish I could have read this book before I attended the Circleville Pumpkin Festival back in the 1990's. Growing a prize pumpkin such as Mildreds, definitely takes knowledge, patience, and hard work.

A very light-hearted and wonderful read. The characters in this book are truly realistic and well portrayed. We can all relate to having a family member, such as Mildred's Aunt Arlene, that can create drama in our lives as well as having a true friend such as Mildred's friend Jacob, that knows what you're thinking without speaking.

This story is set in a rural community outside of Columbus in Circleville, Ohio. Every year on the third Wednesday of October, one can visit Circleville and see hundreds of thousands of visitors all on a quest to see the largest pumpkin and eat a variety of foods made with, you guessed it....Pumpkins. A fantastic children's book that can capture a variety of audiences! Well done!

Also recommended: Dogku by Andrew Clements. A story writen about a stray dog who finds a loving home. A fantastic picture book written using Haiku poetry. Hence the name, 'Dogku.'

Very glad we picked this up. A great choice. I read it after my 8 yr old finished it. I thought it was warm and touching. What a sweet girl. Great detail on growing pumpkins-- very interesting. I had no idea how much work and special attention growing giant pumpkins required. A great first book by Ms. Kennedy-- thank you!

Mildred dreams big dreams in the shape of a pumpkin. This may seem strange to some people, and it especially does to her Aunt Arlene, who's convinced Mildred should start acting and dressing like girls her own age. It's not normal, according to Aunt Arlene, for 11-year-old girls to spend every single summer cultivating a tiny seed and trying to grow it into a giant pumpkin. Even if it is to win the Circleville Pumpkin Show's giant pumpkin contest.

But to Mildred, it makes perfect sense for her to try to make her mother's wish come true. The former Pumpkin Show Queen died when Mildred was only six, but Mildred still remembers how much she loved those huge pumpkins, and that she'd mentioned a desire to take home the prize for the largest pumpkin.

So, with the help of her veterinarian father and her best friend, Jacob, Mildred once again sets out on her pumpkin growing adventure, with her eye on the prize.

Librarians across the country are already selecting this book as a top choice for young students, and I can see why. The narrative voice is strong, and Mildred's control over her own world is enviable. Some challenges on her road to success bring the story home and have the reader rooting for the little girl with the big dreams.

Look for this genuinely sweet read on the shelves!

Reviewed by: Julie M. Prince

This is one of those books that sneaks up on you. It caught me off guard. Based on some positive reviews I'd read and the back cover blurb, I expected it to be cute. I thought I'd kind of like it. I didn't expect to be so swept up in Mildred's quest to grow the perfect giant pumpkin that I was tempted to ignore my 7th period English class today.

But I was.

Marlane Kennedy captures the voice of a fifth grader who has settled into life with her dad after her mother's death and explores the very real issues that face fifth grade girls - shopping for a first bra, getting ears pierced, and dealing with a bossy aunt. I found hints of Judy Blume in the coming of age parts of this book and big servings of warm humor on just about every page. Add to that one huge issue - growing a HUGE pumpkin, and protecting it from bugs, fungus, drought, and tornadoes - and you have one amazing book.

I was enchanted by the story and terribly intrigued by the process of growing a giant pumpkin. I kind of want to try and grow one myself now. Mostly, though, I want to stand up and cheer for Mildred and for Marlane Kennedy. ME AND THE PUMPKIN QUEEN is a little book with a giant-pumpkin sized heart.

This book left me with a smile on my face, and a tiny tear in my eye. It's about a young girl who is obsessed with growing giant pumpkins. Mildred lives in the small town of Circleville, Ohio, where they have the annual Circleville Pumpkin Show, which more than 400,000 people attend each year. (This story is based on a real-world festival and contest, see here.) Mildred's mother died when she was six, leaving behind an unfulfilled desire to grow one of the giant pumpkins that people enter into the annual contest. Mildred, in an effort to please, or be closer to, her lost mother, decides to win the pumpkin contest herself. Here's the passage where Mildred first realizes her mission:

"Daddy must have been thinking the same thing 'cause he said, "Your mama sure got a kick out of those pumpkins. Every year she would say she wanted to try her hand at growing one." He paused, and then his voice trailed off kind of sadlike. "I guess she just never got around to it."

At that very moment those big pumpkins seemed magical." (Page 13)

4 1/2 years later, as the story begins, Mildred is still trying to grow that prize-winning pumpkin. Tending to her pumpkins consumes all of her spare time for six months out of the year (the amount of work required is truly astounding). Her busybody aunt thinks that she's obsessed, in an unhealthy sort of way. But Mildred's veterinarian father supports her in her efforts, as does her one friend, Jacob.

At its simplest, this is a sweet story about a girl trying to do something big and all-consuming as a way of coping with her grief over the loss of her mother. Mildred tends those pumpkins like they are her children, agonizing over them and loving them. It's impossible not to be moved by her.

But what makes the book a joy is Mildred's impish personality and oh-so-dry sense of humor. She'll say outrageous things in this dewy innocent voice, and this keeps the story well away from cloying. Mildred and her dad have to team up a bit against overbearing (though well-intentioned) Aunt Arlene. At eleven, Mildred sees her aunt clearly, and derives joy from teasing her. Here's a small example:

"After we are done eating, Aunt Arlene asks if I want to go anywhere else, since we are in Columbus.

"No, I have to go home and check on my pumpkin plant," I tell her.

I hear a very long sigh coming from Aunt Arlene, which I do my best to ignore. (Page 85)

Mildred is a kid who goes her own way, and doesn't let opposition or ridicule stop her. If anything, opposition causes her to dig in her heels until she gets what's important to her (in a non-bratty sort of way, as someone who is passionate about their beliefs, and utterly secure in her place in the world). Mildred's security comes from her father, who supports her and jokes with her and only occasionally allows himself to be steamrolled by his sister.

Mildred is not particularly interested in being popular with the other girls at school. She says things like:

"Gloria Mathis, the girl who plasters her notebooks with pictures of her actor crush, is a jabberbox, and not to be mean, but honestly, even though lots of girls hang on her every word, I can only stand a few minutes in her presence." (Page 35)

And this:

"The rest of the week at school most of the girls are nicer than usual to me. I think it's on account of my new wardrobe. But it's hard for me to act interested back at them. For one thing, I figure I gave them a chance way back when, and they really didn't want to get to know me. Truth be told, I think they still don't want to know the real me. Besides, all I can think about are my seeds. First thing I do when I get home every day is check on them." (Page 53)

What a little budding introvert. I love her country accent, too. Don't tell me you can't hear it, because I surely can.

One interesting thing about this book is the line that the author walks in talking about things like neutering of animals, birthing of calves, euthanizing of sick pets, and pollinating of plants. Mildred is the daughter of a vet, and a budding farmer in her own right. She is completely blase about things like neutering. I think that Kennedy does a nice job of making this part of Mildred's world, without getting into too much detail, or portraying anything that will be directly disturbing for younger readers.

All in all, this is an entertaining story, chock full of interesting information about the art of growing giant pumpkins. Me and the Pumpkin Queen positively brims over with heart and humor. Highly recommended for 7 to 12 years olds (though perhaps best suited to the earlier end of that scale), and especially for kids who have an interest in growing things. Although the main character is a girl, I think that the technical details about growing the pumpkins, the veterinary details, and Miriam's personality will appeal to boys, too. Highly recommended for children and parents.

This book review was originally published on my blog, Jen Robinson's Book Page, on October 31, 2007.

This is a wonderful Halloween holiday book and my 4 yr old daughter loves it. She even picked out her costume based on this book. The runaway pumpkin rolls though a farm and through a series of events becomes the jack-o-lantern for the holiday dinner table. I really like the family tone to the book as well.

This is a fun, rhythmic, rhyming story about a big pumpkin on the loose. "'Round and 'round across the ground makin' a thumpin' bumpin' sound came that thumpety, bumpety, thumpin' bumpin' round and roll-y RUNAWAY PUMPKIN!"

My two year olds like it for the rhythm and funny pictures. It's a good book to have them practice predicting what might happen next in the story.

I get a kick out of this tasty Halloween treat. The three Baxter children happen upon a huge pumpkin and the boy Baxters promptly try to remove the pumpkin from its perch.

The pumpkin rolls down a hill and right through town.

Round and 'round across the ground
Makin a thumpin' bumpin' sound
Came that thumpety bumpety thumpin' bumpin'
Round and Rolly Runaway Pumpkin

The pumpkin knocks over Momma Baxter and Grandpa Baxter. It is just about to mow down Poppa Baxter when Dad comes up with an idea to make a pumpkin bed and cleverly catches the pumpkin.

Throughout the story, each Baxter family member has designs on things they would like to do or make with a pumpkin (pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin soup). In the end, Grandma Baxter makes all of the family members favorite pumpkin recipe and the centerpiece contains the rest of the huge pumpkin, nicely carved into a jack-o-lantern.

I have an infant son that is now 11 months old and we read to him every day. This is the only book of his that I don't get tired of reading. It has a great flow, wonderful illustrations and he smiles every time we get to the tongue twister "chorus" of the book. I will definitely buy more of this author's books!

We purchased this book a couple of year ago in paperback. I drag it out every October and read it to my girls. It has been a much loved book, so much that we are replacing the well used paperback with a hardcover and ordered an additional one for our friends two little girls. We hope they enjoy this book as much as we have. We are looking forward to another "thumpin, bumpin" October.

I loved this book! I laughed, I cried, I cheered (well, not really-I was on a plane and didn't want to create a ruckus, but in my mind I was standing up and cheering!). This book offered a lot of interesting information-who knew pumpkins could grow up to 40 lbs. A DAY??-while following the attempts of various growers to reach the ultimate goal in giant pumpkin growing, a 1500 lb. pumpkin. Easy reading, informative, and a good conversation starter when you need to make small talk.

I had a great time reading this book. I too grow pumpkins and had a hard time setting this book down. Easy to read and gives a real behind the scenes on this sport, showing that growers have lives outside of pumpkin growing as well. If you want to grow a giant pumpkin yourself this book won't give you much for information on that topic. It is meant for more the humanity side of things.

Backyard Giants is a fascinating and informative book on the art, science, competition and reward of growing giant pumpkins. The author depicts the trials and tribulations of growers in Rhode Island, Ohio, the West Coast and Canada. A close-knit group of growers in Rhode Island are followed for an entire year as they prepare, plant, harvest and competitively show their giant fruits. The growers are depicted as compassionate, committed, scientific in their own right, and competitive. Through the author's creative writing style the reader is compelled through each stage of the giant pumpkin process. The pictures are an added bonus - driving home the amazing undertaking of growing something over 1,000 pounds in just four months. The joys and heartbreaks of this sport are well described, and leave the reader with respect and in awe of the growers.

The author did an excellent job researching all aspects of growing giant pumpkins. I found myself with numerous questions as I read the book and inevitably the author answered every question I had. The author writes for those having no prior knowledge of pumpkin growing - but would also likely interest those who were knowledgeable in the field. She has a creative use of vocabulary and story telling. I was sorry to see the book come to an end, but also very content with the ending. This book is well worth the reader's investment.

Who says gardening is a gentle hobby? In "Backyard Giants," Ms. Warren takes us on a journey through the passionate and far-from-gentle world of competitive pumpkin growing. With a masterful eye for the telling detail and a narrative voice that sweeps the reader into this unusual world from the very first page, this is delightful and eye-opening read -- especially for those who've never wielded pruning shears or pored through garden catalogues at night.

Bill Clinton was quoted in the "Washington Post" a few weeks ago: "That's the biggest pumpkin I've ever seen. It looks like we need a steroid inspection here." I googled " Big Pumpkins " and found lots of information, including this charming and fascinating book.

Susan Warren is a gardener. She googled a personal gardening question one day, and incidentally found guys that were obsessed with creating monster pumpkins. She wrote a front page story about them for the "Wall Street Journal", and this book grew out of that article.

Warren describes the pumpkins, of course, but her book is much more about those obsessed guys. She grew a giant pumpkin (240 pounds) as a research project, but both she and her architect husband "got sucked in ... this is a very dangerous book. It sucks in people who like a challenge."

She is amazed at the diversity of growers: airline pilots, engineers, Wall Street analysts, bankers, truck drivers, country club managers and "your mom could be a giant pumpkin grower." They live in a number of countries: the US, England, Germany, Australia, and elsewhere. She believes they are all overachievers, the kind of people who work all day and then come home and put in a few more hours in the garden.

Warren writes that the giant pumpkin competition started out with a lot of secrecy involved; there was very little sharing. The Internet changed that. Growers soon realized they couldn't hold secrets, and 15 new world records have been set in the last 18 years. [The current record is 1,689 pounds set by Joe Jutras in Rhode Island who is mentioned in the book, but who set the record after the book was released.] The philosophy is now: "I'm going to beat you. I want to beat you at your best. So here, let me help you."

Bill Clinton understands the challenges {apparently an expert on giant Arkansas watermelons): "If you give it too much water and the skin breaks, you're eliminated. And if you give it too little, somebody else beats you because they've got a bigger melon or a bigger pumpkin. So like at the end, under very tense circumstances, there are these constant judgment calls. It's kind of like being President."

The growers feel a moment of mutual elation when a new record is set, according to Warren. That moment represents many years of hard work, many years of disappointment, many years of learning and education. A key point of the education is that these fruits are no longer pure pumpkins, but the result of cross breeding with other heavy cousins like squash. The goal is to be heavy -- weight is the only objective measurement of size. A smaller pumpkin can weigh more than a larger one, so the growers strive to increase density. They don't look so much like pumpkins anymore; Warren writes that they resemble "deflated Thanksgiving Day parade floats."

She says that the growers don't care about looks, they care about 40 to 50 pound a day weight gains during the peak growth period. That rate will put a great deal of strain on the pumpkin which can lead to the disaster of split skin and disqualification that Clinton spoke of. Growers report that they can hear the pumpkins growing, a creaking and groaning, especially at night, much like the sounds of corn growing back in Wisconsin many years ago.

Several other details caught my attention:

- Despite their enhanced density, these giants will float.

- They can be hollowed out and raced in Pumpkin Regattas.

- Growers thump them vigorously to judge density.

- Getting rid of gophers and other varmits provide some of the most intense moments; a lost bud can severely weaken a pumpkin vine. ("You'll still get a pumpkin, but you want a champion.")

- All growers become soil scientists, and now rely primarily on organic fertilizers.

There is a bit of pathos in this book: Ron Wallace, the featured grower, loses one of his pumpkins: "Ron's disappointment was sharp and deep and all too familiar. He cracked the rotting skin open in hopes of recovering some seeds. But the seeds swimming in a fetid pool of neon-orange slime were limp and lifeless. Disgusted, he left the broken shards of giant pumpkin lying in the grass next to the garden, an organic monument to disappointment."

As the extract shows, Warren is particularly good at describing the depth and complexity of the obsession these competitors. If that human element appeals to you, you'll enjoy this book.

This is the first Karen Katz book my daughter has seen...it was given to her by her Aunt for Halloween this year. And although she is only 8 1/2 months old, she absolutely loves this book because of the flaps that open and close. It's the only "toy" I take to church with us and it keeps her amused the entire time. (Although, she does like to screach when she gets excited, so sometimes it's a little embarassing).

Just to add to the chorus of praises, if you have a toddler you really should buy this book. Our 14-month old loved it from the moment she opened the cover, and she has continued to come back to it as a favorite in the weeks since. The flaps are big and sturdy so she can get ahold of them herself, and she loves the different pictures and textures. From my perspective, the illustrations are charming and really capture the excitement of halloween for a small child, so I like looking through it too. Brava to Karen Katz for a wonderful book!

She doesn't get everything there is to enjoy about this book yet, but I've read this with my 7 week old daughter twice and both times she smiled through the whole thing. Must be all the sparkles and glitter!

We were quite surprised when we got this book - how beautiful and interesting the illustrations are! There are lots of tactical additions - black glitter on the baby's cat costume, etc. Very cute!

This was a big hit with my 21-month-old son! He has a number of other Karen Katz books, and always enjoys looking behind the panels. This particular book also has textures (like the fuzzy cat costume) that help to keep my son interested and engaged. A very fun book that we read every night for a week or so after we bought it. Now it's an occasional request, but he still really enjoys it. A fun Halloween book!

this was a great book but i bought it new form amazon and there was writing on the sides and cover.

This book is written with a sense of humor. It has lots of ideas, tips, recipes, and facts; it even has poetry. There are no patterns but plenty of ideas and pictures (to copy). This book is a delight!

I love this guy,I've been watching his website for years. Search under
Extreme Pumpkins.Not for the mainsteam friendly smiling pumpkin carver.
The book has great pictures and instructions. You get to use POWER TOOLS!
I recommend it as a great book for yourself and to give to any friends you have with a strange sense of humor! Warning your neighbors may think you've gotten a little too far out there!!!

I love this book! Not only are the pumpkin carving ideas amazing, but the guy has great suggestions with a good sense of humor. My only regret was that I ordered it late in October and I didn't get the book in time to pursue some of the projects for Halloween night. But it sure made for a great table book and conversation piece at my little Halloween get together. Next year we'll be ready to take some of these on! The photos are wonderful and we all cracked up, deciding which pumkin extravaganza was our favorite. So if you're seriously into having some Halloween creativity and fun, get this little book.
FUNNY!

This book is entertaining, hilarious, and is guaranteed to equally disturb your neighbors and make you a legend among the neighborhood kids come Halloween. Easy instructions to make one of the many bizzare pumpkins illustrated or to "take creative wing" and scare the bejeebers out of the neighbors! Put the fun back into Halloween-this book will show you how!!!

Having Lupus I have been searching and searching for a book that truly expresses what I am going through. When I started reading Pumpkin I realized that I had found that book. I read the book in one sitting and am going to suggest it to my family. I am experiencing much of what Eileen went through, it's as if the book were about me personally. Patricia does a remarkable job conveying Eileen's thoughts although she did not have the disease herself. She really understood her daughter well and Eileen was so lucky for that. I would recommend this book for others who have Lupus as well as their family members.

I read this book as I have recently gotten involved with the Dorough Lupus Foundation which was set up after Howie Dorough of the Backstreet Boys lost his sister Caroline to Lupus.

This story is about Eileen and was written by her mother. Eileen fought hard against the effects of Lupus. Every setback that was thrown at her she fought against, and in the end, she lost. But her strength and perserverance moved me.

I highly recommend this book to everyone. Lupus is a disease that is not as widely known as others, but is very devastating. We need to to find a cure for this illness so no more people die from it.

I thought this was a good book, and very easy to read. I have a friend with lupus, and she is very much like the main lady in this book. It is good to see how other people deal with these things. I think the author knows how to touch the heart of people and that is a very special gift. I read this book, and Stolen Moments by Fisher, and both have helped me in a big way to understand my friend with this illness. Hope they find a cure for it soon. I would recommend this book for anyone dealing wtih any illness, personally or with someone they love.

Once I began reading I could not put it down. It made me laugh and brought me to tears. It is such a beautiful tribute to the author's daughter and allows Eileen to be loved and admired by people who never had the joy of meeting her. God bless her family and their strength, it was truly inspiring.

I have a sister who died of Lupus and reading this book really does explain what goes on in your life when someone close to you is ill. Even though you feel hopeless, even though you're scared for that person, you know you have to be strong and cherish every single moment. I enjoyed this book because it reminds you how important your life is. Eileen had brothers,sisters and parents who loved her and even though she was sick she tried to make the most of it which is inspirational to all of us.