Pumpkin Circle: The Story of a Garden [Paperback]

George Levenson (Author), Shmuel Thaler (Photographer)

Book Description

Release date: August 7, 2002 | Age Range: 5 - 8 years

We can be sure of this: It's a circle without end. It'¬?s pumpkin seeds to pumpkins To pumpkin seeds again! This treat of a picture book comes cloaked in the colors of fall. Bouncy verse and glowing photographs show a backyard pumpkin patch move through its natural cycle -- a bug'¬?s eye and a bird's high view of seeds sprouting, flowers blooming, bees buzzing, pumpkins growing . . .and then going back to earth. An author's note explains how to grow your own pumpkin. Educators, please visit our Resources section, above, for teaching guides and curricula. Awards1999 Parent'¬?s Guide AwardReviews"If you weren't a pumpkin lover before, you will be after checking this neat book out." -Fast Forward magazine "Eye-catching full-color photography and rhyming text. . . . An excellent choice for fall pumpkin studies."-Public Schools of North Carolina's Infotech"Your books will help us put an emphasis on early reading and help improve the stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding farmers and agriculture."-American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture


From the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2-The development of a pumpkin seed into a plant, pumpkin, jack-o'-lantern, and, completing the circle, back to seed again, is the subject of this colorful book. Photos show a child sitting on a huge mound of pumpkins, a magnified view of the inside of the fruit with its pulp and seeds, tendrils of a plant stretching across two pages, a Georgia O'Keeffe-like view into the center of a blossom, and the lighted grin of a beautiful jack-o'-lantern. Unfortunately, the text is written in badly rhyming verse: "One big pumpkin family, five varieties,/each one started from/different pumpkin seeds." Straightforward directions for growing pumpkins appear on the last page. Jeanne Titherington's Pumpkin, Pumpkin (Greenwillow, 1986) is less flashy, more artistic, and more appealing to young listeners.
Carolyn Jenks, First Parish Unitarian Church, Portland, ME
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Kirkus Reviews

For those who have seen the charming video of the same name, this will be an unhappy example of what happens when one medium is translated into another. Those who come to this without preconceived notions, however, will find glorious full-color photographs that capture pumpkin marvels, from the mountain of golden orange delights with a girl perched on them to the gorgeous close-ups of green sprouts, feathery buds, and full yellow flowers. The singsong text is often clumsy, rhyming ``seeds'' with ``leaves,'' ``hair'' with ``appear,'' and ``vine'' with ``time.'' The fascinating story of the growth of the pumpkin (and the pumpkin patch), from seed to jack-o-lantern, and then back, decaying, into the earth, is more fully conveyed in the pictures. (Picture book. 4-8) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 5 - 8 years
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Tricycle Press (August 7, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582460787
• ISBN-13: 978-1582460789
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 0.2 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #239,287 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #26 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Nature > Gardening

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Visuals October 30, 2000

By Ruanne A. Ewing

Format:Hardcover

A wonderful, graphic book about the circle of life. Why are kids so fascinated by pumpkins? Take a look at this visually intense book and see why. The photographs are definitely the feature here, but the text is not bad either, and keeps it at just about the right pace for a 3-5 year old audience.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars great book for children December 15, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

This is a wonderful book with great photos and is very enjoyable to read aloud to children. Both children and adults can learn about the life cycle of a pumpkin and can appreciate the wonders of nature.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars i loved it! November 29, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

i think pumpkin circle:...is wonderful! the diverse photographs are lovely and artful.they are robust in color yet delicate in detail.it is a great book to share with the family. the thought and care that must have gone into the creation of this book is quite evident.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy this book! February 5, 2004

By RG525

Format:Hardcover

I bought this book for my 2yr old and he loves it! My 4yr old loves it too. It does a great job teaching kids the cycle of life. The photos are wonderful and the story is simple enough to keep little ones interested, yet gives a great explanation about the circle of life.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book! Don't miss it! October 27, 2007

By L. Curran

Format:Paperback

I was looking for a new book to use with my class and ordered this one. I was amazed at how detailed the pictures are and the writing uses, such descriptive words. So it not only meets the needs of the season - it has integrated learning features but FUN for all!
Great book for kids & teachers! DVD & VHS also available at author site!

5.0 out of 5 stars Pumpkin Circle January 19, 2013

By VSP

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is soooo good! The whole book rhymes and has great pictures. My Jr. Master Gardeners will love this book. It tells them all the steps to grow their own pumpkins. Fun.

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding! January 12, 2013

By Deborah Elliott

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Wonderful information delivered in a fun rhyming story with great pictures. Very engaging! Give it to your favorite youngsters with a packet of pumpkin seeds and start a growing experience you and they will remember and cherish.

5.0 out of 5 stars Pumpkin Circle: The Story of a Garden January 6, 2013

By Jan Hodgson

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Pumpkin Circle is perfect for teaching the life of a pumpkin to Kindergarten. I was excited to find another copy since the 5 of us have to share ours in the library at school!