The Magic Pumpkin [Hardcover]

Bill Martin (Author), Robert J. Lee (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

"A deceptively simple text with a lyrical rhythm describes a pear-shaped pumpkin growing in a garden, who unexpectedly whispers that he’ll protect the yard from the ‘foolies.’ Lee’s fragile watercolors cast an appropriately haunting aura to the strange proceedings." --Publishers Weekly

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A deceptively simple text with a lyrical rhythm describes a pear-shaped pumpkin growing in a garden, who unexpectedly whispers that he'll protect the yard from the "foolies." Soon a face is carved, with an eerily grinning mouth "which came to life / with candlelight, / to stay the mischief / of the night." Several creatures (among them fox, skunk and owl) pay scary visits, and then, at last, the foolies do arrive--and the pumpkin turns out to be the leader of their gang. "With that / I snuffed his candlelight . . . / and the turncoat withered / out of sight." The foolies are foiled. And Lee's Halloween pumpkin rots away, smoke seeping out of his black eyes. While the story contains an air of mystery suited to the holiday, unclear portions will no doubt confuse young readers. Why is the pumpkin a rebel, and what purpose does this serve in the story? What is the reason for his sudden--and rather grisly--demise? Lee's fragile watercolors cast an appropriately haunting aura to the strange proceedings. Ages 4-7.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3-- An unseen speaker's pumpkin comes to life in this Halloween picture book. The narrator goes into the garden to select a pumpkin, finds the perfect one, and is startled when it whispers, "Choose me!. . .I'll keep the foolies from your yard!" The narrator carves a face in the pumpkin and places it at the door. The yard is then visited by twin foxes, "four mystic giants disguised as skunks," an owl, and some mice, all of whom the narrator finds (for some unknown reason) threatening. When the "foolies," little leprechaun-like people with tails, parade into the yard with batons and musical instruments, the jack-o-lantern changes. "He sneered! He snorted! He danced! He sang! He was the leader of the foolie gang!" Although the only change that readers see is human eyes peering out of the pumpkin, the narrator feels betrayed, calls the pumpkin a traitor, and blows out the candle, causing the pumpkin to shrink and wither out of sight. Lee's watercolors are painted in appropriate fall colors and could be easily seen by a group as well as individual readers. The text itself is too sophisticated for the children who will be attracted by the picture-book format and large pumpkin on the cover. It is unlikely that even older elementary students will understand the literary allusion, "Tonight will be your albatross!" The illustrations are attractive and evocative of the fall season and the book could be used as a Halloween read-aloud, but it will not have the enormous appeal of Martin's Brown Bear , Brown Bear , What Do You See? (Holt, 1983). --Jean H. Zimmerman, Willett School, South River, NJ
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); 1St Edition edition (October 15, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080501134X
• ISBN-13: 978-0805011340
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,347,469 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Just "Okay", October 23, 2011

By 

S.B. Moody - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Magic Pumpkin (Paperback)

The illustrations in this book are fun, but the text doesn't flow well which makes it less than ideal for a read-aloud. Some of the literary references are out of place in a children's book, and the result is verse that feels as through it were written by a high school student trying to impress the English teacher. My daughter enjoyed the pictures, but the poem didn't do much for either of us.

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome! Poetic! A Halloween must-have, October 6, 2009

By 

T. Colson "I heart books" (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Magic Pumpkin (Hardcover)

I love this book! My 8 year old and 3 year old love it and I'm hooked too. It's so poetic, mysterious and creative. Definitely a Halloween must-have. No doubt I'll be quoting lines from this book.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars great for articulate 5-year olds, October 25, 2000

By 

Jessica R. Murray (Rush, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Magic Pumpkin (Hardcover)

I don't quite understand this spooky Halloween book, but my 5-year old loves it. He insisted he was going to get it from the library every week for the rest of his life until I suggested buying it. It has added the words "stupefied," "albatross," and "foolies" to his working vocabulary. The story is a little confusing but it's got a good Halloween spirit and look to it.