Customer Reviews

Pumpkin Patch: A Traditional Buddhist Tale

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
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This enchanting children's book deserves to become a classic, both in its story and exquisite artwork.

Sybil Taylor has written a timely adaptation of an inspiring traditional Buddhist tale of a farmer who teaches his pumpkins a lesson in the peaceful resolution of animosities. The story unfolds to reveal the healing power of meditation that can be easily understood by children and explains the nature of Buddhist path.

June Atkin has enriched the book with dazzling color pencil illustrations that will provide generations of children - and their parents - with hours of delight discovering the layers of magic in each picture. They make the book a good candidate for the Caldicott medal.

The Pumpkin Patch is a sheer joy for eye and mind.

Christopher Brummel

This is a wonderful book, just the thing for curious and spiritually developed children and also, because it is so beautifully illustrated, an enchanting way for all children to learn from nature. Each page, with its vivid and beautifully executed illustration draws the viewer into the story which contains some valuable lessons in life and ends up by showing the interconnectedness of all things. I thoroughly recommend The Pumpkin Patch to all parents who either want to introduce children to meditation or to those who simply want their children to read a well-conceived and written and equisitely illustrated book.

Don't be misled by the title- this is not a story about picking the perfect Halloween pumpkin! "The Pumpkin Patch" is a useful tool for parents, classroom teachers, and religious school educators who wish to introduce children to the practice of meditation. The story uses pumpkins in a pumpkin patch to beautifully show through clean writing and colorful illustrations how we are all interconnected.

Its message of peace, tolerance and unity makes this an especially important and timely contribution to the body of literature available to children.

Following the story is an excellent explanation of the "Way of the Buddha." This section of the book serves to teach children that amazing discoveries can be made when one takes the time to sit quietly.

This book nourishes the soul and promotes peace. (It is not just for Buddhists.)

"I have read the "The Pumpkin Patch" and was thoroughly
warmed by the simplicity of it's message and the world
created by the wonderful illustrations to help us
experience the lessons within. All children should get to
read it and have the chance to experience their own
part in the whole of things."

The book, The Pumpkin Patch, arrived within days after I ordered it. It was in perfect condition!

Reviewed by Stephanie, Parish (age 3), and Isaac, Rollins(age 1) for Reader Views (5/07)


"The Pumpkin Patch" is a traditional Buddhist tale with meaning for every child and adult. In "The Pumpkin Patch," a wise old man lives in the country and grows a garden. He lives in harmony with all of nature. There are dogs, bunnies, birds, deer, and etc... He liked to watch his garden grow after working the soil.

One day, the pumpkins began to quarrel. Feelings were hurt. He tells the pumpkins to stop. He tells them to sit still. He demonstrates a meditation pose. A day went by, the pumpkins remained silent. The pumpkins then told the wise man that they each are the same on a basic level. They told him that they felt connected to each other.

The last two pages are written for the adult reader. It explains meditation and its benefits. Though there are definitely Buddhist overtones throughout the book, this is a special book that may help children take time to realize their feelings and the feelings of others. For the non-Buddhists, this book will still be a blessing.

Parish liked the illustration of the rainbow and the bright orange pumpkins. She said that she liked the book and wants to keep it. This is a book I may read to her after she quarrels with her brothers. The words are simple enough for third graders and above. I recommend "The Pumpkin Patch."

Book received free of charge