Pinky Rex And The Perfect Pumpkin Paperback [Paperback]

James Howe (Author), Melissa Sweet (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Series: Pinky & Rex

When Rex is invited to go along on the traditional pumpkin-picking trip with Pinky's grandparents, she doesn't feel that Pinky's cousin Abby really wants her to be part of the fun. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3-In this addition to the series, Howe shows his keen understanding of the struggle children go through when learning to balance peer relationships with feelings of jealousy and anger. Rex, who has always felt like part of her best friend Pinky's family, is excited about going on their traditional pumpkin-picking weekend with Pinky's grandparents, his little sister, and his cousin Abby. However, Rex soon discovers that something is different this year. Abby refuses to talk to her, makes fun of her, and continually makes her feel left out. That night, someone smashes the jack-o'-lantern that Grandpa had carved. In the morning, the culprit is revealed, along with Rex's and Abby's feelings. Howe's realistic portrayal of Abby's exclusionary tactics and Rex's jealousy, coupled with Sweet's supportive watercolor paintings, make for a believable tale. The understanding grandparents set the stage for the children to resolve their conflicts and take another step toward maturity. This sensitive story is a must for early chapter-book collections and is perfect for all seasons. It will provide solace to readers as they struggle with the realities of growing up.
Gale W. Sherman, Pocatello Public Library, ID
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 2^-4. Pinky, his little sister, Amanda, and his cousin Abby are joined by Rex on their annual pumpkin-picking weekend at Pinky's grandparents' cabin. Rex remembers her parents' warning not to leave Amanda out of the fun this year, but soon Rex feels like an outsider, as Abby seems determined to make sure Rex doesn't see herself as one of the family. When the "perfect" pumpkin is smashed in the middle of the night, Abby and Rex accuse each other. Ultimately, Pinky's family apologizes for hurting Rex's feelings, and Rex apologizes for wrecking the pumpkin. Most of the story is told from Rex's point of view, so it's a little awkward that readers don't immediately know whether she smashed the pumpkin or not. On the other hand, the children's rift and reconciliation are handled with more realism and finesse than in most books for this age group. Even after Abby apologized, too, Rex "tried to smile, but there was still a lot of hurt inside her." Carolyn Phelan --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689817770
• ISBN-13: 978-0689817779
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.7 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,478,951 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

James Howe has written more than eighty books in the thirty-plus years he's been writing for young readers. It sometimes confuses people that the author of the humorous Bunnicula series also wrote the dark young adult novel, The Watcher, or such beginning reader series as Pinky and Rex and the E.B. White Read Aloud Award-winning Houndsley and Catina and its sequels. But from the beginning of his career (which came about somewhat by accident after asking himself what kind of vampire a rabbit might make), he has been most interested in letting his imagination take him in whatever direction it cared to. So far, his imagination has led him to picture books, such as I Wish I Were a Butterfly and Brontorina (about a dinosaur who dreams of being a ballerina), mysteries, poetry (in the upcoming Addie on the Inside), and fiction that deals with issues that matter deeply to him. He is especially proud of The Misfits, which inspired national No Name-Calling Week (www.nonamecallingweek.org) and its sequel Totally Joe. He does not know where his imagination will take him in the next thirty-plus years, but he is looking forward to finding out.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A moving story, October 29, 2010

By 

A. Guyton "eluraluna" (Fredericksburg, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ready To Read Pinky And Rex And The Perfect Pumpkin (Pinky and Rex (Aladdin Paperback)) (Hardcover)

This story is pretty intense, but great for discussing social skills and situations with your child. My first grader loves Pinky and Rex. This one is a little longer than the first few books, which we think is great- the series grows in reading and attention skills with its readers! Children identify with the feelings of the characters and their actions, and it provides an excellent opportunity for discussing those actions and appropriate ways of expressing the intense emotions involved in the story. It also shows children that people love them no matter what, even when they make poor choices and mistakes. We recommend this one.

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is Accelerated Reader Rated!, March 7, 2011

By 

vkmays - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pinky Rex And The Perfect Pumpkin Paperback (Paperback)

My childrens' school participates in the Accelerated Reader Program. This book is AR rated. James Howe is an excellent auther for early readers. The stories have great themes, and are extremely well written!