The Pumpkin Book [Paperback]

Gail Gibbons (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

How they grow, their traditional uses and cultural significance.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3 Bold, clear watercolor illustrations and a concise text work together to explain the planting, cultivating, and harvesting of pumpkins. Gibbons includes a description of their traditional use by the Pilgrims and at Halloween. Directions for carving are provided with cautionary reminders about knives and candle safety along with alternate ways to decorate a pumpkin using a variety of materials found in most homes. A page of interesting facts about the history of pumpkins, their nutritional value, pollination, and instructions for drying seeds to eat is appended. Gibbons succeeds once again at covering a topic in a useful way at just the right level for beginning readers. This book provides more detail than Jeanne Titherington's Pumpkin, Pumpkin (Greenwillow, 1986), and will be a welcome addition to fall study units. Cheryl Cufari, Glencliff Elementary School, Niskayuna, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

From Booklist

Using bright artwork in her familiar style, Gibbons takes on a favorite fall subject. The first part of the book depicts the complicated process of growing a pumpkin from seed, including an explanation of the role of male pumpkin flowers in the pollination process. Gibbons' illustrations for this section will be particularly useful teaching aides, especially for younger children. The remainder of the book is less science oriented. Halloween and Thanksgiving are each given a colorful double-page spread, though, oddly, the discussion of Halloween never mentions pumpkins at all. An ending section provides related information, such as instructions for carving a pumpkin and drying seeds. A good resource for educators, this also has plenty of kid appeal. Lauren Peterson --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House (June 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823416364
• ISBN-13: 978-0823416363
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 10 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #101,540 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Sports & Activities > Cooking
  • #23 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( G ) > Gibbons, Gail
  • #26 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Nature > Flowers & Plants

More About the Author

Gail Gibbons has published close to fifty distinguished nonfiction titles with Holiday House. According to "The Washington Post," "Gail Gibbons has taught more preschoolers and early readers about the world than any other children's writer-illustrator." She lives in Vermont. Her website is www.gailgibbons.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for teachers and parents, July 29, 2008

By 

Teaching with Books - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Pumpkin Book (Paperback)

The Pumpkin Book by Gail Gibbons is an entertaining and informative book for elementary age children. This book is most appropriate for kindergarten through third grade students. The pictures are large and colorful. The text is limited mostly to the bottom of the page. Elementary students will need some vocabulary defined for them - examples: sprout, minerals, stamen, pollen, stigma, nectar, pollination, and harvest. A worthy addition to any parent or teachers' October activities.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Pumpkin Book, December 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Pumpkin Book (Library Binding)

The Pumpkin Book will be a sure hit with teachers doing theme planning around October events. Ms. Gibbon blends factual information with enough interesting tidbits to keep the attention of even squirmy 2nd graders. Excellent color illustrations, and recommended for K through 3rd grades, as well as for the teachers.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Pumpkin Book, December 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Pumpkin Book (Library Binding)

The Pumpkin Book will be a sure hit with teachers doing theme planning around October events. Ms. Gibbon blends factual information with enough interesting tidbits to keep the attention of even squirmy 2nd graders. Excellent color illustrations, and recommended for K through 3rd grades, as well as for the teachers.