The Great Pumpkin Switch (Orchard Paperbacks) [Paperback]

Megan Mcdonald (Author), Ted Lewin (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

A grandfather remembers a time in his past during which he and his buddy Otto accidentally knock his sister's pumpkin down the front steps and smash it to smithereens. By the author of The Potato Man. Reprint. AB. K. SLJ.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Atmospheric watercolors by the Caldecott Honor artist cast a glow over this Norman Rockwell-esque story of a neighborhood peddlar who helps two boys when they accidentally smash a prize pumpkin. Ages 4-7.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-- McDonald's storytelling skill is once again very much in evidence in this sequel to The Potato Man (Orchard, 1991). This time Grampa tells of the time he and his friend Otto accidentally cut the stem of his sister's prized pumpkin, causing ``Big Max'' to tumble down 34 front steps and smash. With some quick thinking and the help of Mr. Angelo, the Potato Man, the boys are able to bring about a happy ending. Although the story is set in the early part of the century, this very realistic tale involves typical childhood dilemmas and will not seem the least bit old-fashioned to today's readers. Lewin's outstanding watercolor paintings add even more flavor and appeal to the well-crafted text. Especially noteworthy is the composition of each illustration and his use of perspective and bold color highlights to define the focal points. This perfect melding of words and pictures is a shining example of the finest in picture book production. --Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic (September 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0531070654
• ISBN-13: 978-0531070659
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.9 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,967,002 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

10 THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT ME

10. The first book I ever wrote was about a hermit crab, inspired by a pet I once owned.

9. My favorite color is purple.

8. I love to read mysteries. When I was Judy's age, I read all 56 classic Nancy Drew books . . . in order! Jeepers!

7. I used to collect scabs so I could examine them under the microscope that I got for my 8th birthday.

6. My four sisters and I often made up our own language, which included the words "Hoidi Boidi", "oogey", "retzel crummypuss" and "poony-poony".

5. My favorite TV show is JEOPARDY!

4. To research my Sisters Club book, THE RULE OF THREE, I toured San Francisco in search of the ultimate cupcake. The winner: Sleepless in San Francisco. Think chocolate + coffee.

3. When I was a kid, I fell down a hill from chasing the ice-cream truck and had to get stitches.

2. When I was a librarian, I used to tell stories in sign language. That's how I got the expression "same-same" for Judy.

1. I share a birthday (February 28) with a famous princess, race car driver and gangster, a Rolling Stone, a French tightrope walker, and a winning racehorse named Smarty Jones.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for teaching writing!, October 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Great Pumpkin Switch (Orchard Paperbacks) (Paperback)

This book is a great tool to teach elements of writing. It includes great onomatopoeia, hyperbole, and fantastic descriptive language. It kept my 2nd grade students engaged and would be excellent for upper grades as well. It is also open-ended and has a great opportunity for a writing extension.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the great pumpkin switch, September 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Great Pumpkin Switch (Orchard Paperbacks) (Paperback)

THIS IS SUCH A WARM, NOSTALGIC BOOK THAT TAKES YOU BACK TO YOUR GRANDMOTHER'S STORIES OF GROWING UP. THE PICTURES ARE DONE IN WARM COLORS - JUST PERFECT FOR A FROSTY DAY'S READING. IT SHOWS THE UNDERLYING LOVE OF A BROTHER AND SISTER THAT ONE ONLY REALIZES AS YOU GROW.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The REAL prize pumpkin!, February 10, 2006

By 

Emily A. Canter "library lady" (TN, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Great Pumpkin Switch (Orchard Paperbacks) (Paperback)

I am an elementary librarian and discovered this book probably 8 years ago. We had
had only 1 copy, so I am buying more here! We call it one of our "grandfather stories,"
because 2 grandchildren sit spellbound listening to their grandfather tell at tale of his childhood. My K-4th graders sit spellbound too, even though they of course know what is going to happen! When the pumpkin bounces down the 24 steps...everyone is ready with the SPLAT!! New listeners are thrilled, old listeners rate this as an October story we cannot listen without!....I want this one back in print for children of this new century!!