Customer Reviews

The Ugly Pumpkin

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am using this book for my third grade class and they love it! It is essentially the classic ugly duckling book with a holiday twist and leads to a lot of productive discussion in class. The way this version of the classic tale is written makes it a very fun read. The words become part of the image, the image becomes part of the words, and the kids have a lot of fun reading all of it out loud. The voice of the pumpkin definitely comes through in the unique narrative style. It's true that the pumpkin has no desire to be a jack-o-lantern, as a previous reviewer pointed out, but somehow this wasn't a problem to the kids or me. Why would they only like the book if the pumpkin were masochistic and wanted to be cut up? That one is a head scratcher for me. The only reason I give the book 4 stars rather than 5 is that the story is a bit simplistic, but so are most ugly duckling books written for young children. I definitely recommend this one for anyone looking for a book children will enjoy both reading on their own and being read to.

It isn't often that I find a book that I am as enthused to read to my three-year-old son as he is to have it read to him. This is one of them. I picked it up at a local bookstore and from the first page, I was just delighted by the style of the art and the flow of the narrative. It is a simple story, but a classic one and I think it is a fantastic read for young kids. Definitely reccommended.

I think that this story has good poetry, great old fashioned pictures, and is a lot of fun. It takes care of the Halloween story and Thanksgiving in one swoop. The poor pumpkin is mishapen and is considered ugly. Others play jokes on it and no one takes him home. Does the story have a happy ending? We'll see!

My daughter borrowed this from the school library and after reading it 4 or 5 times in a row we bought a copy. It seems like a Halloween book but its really Thanksgiving. The pictures are bright and colorful, the rhymes are fun to read and the "Oh my Gosh, I'm a Squash!" is now a favorite quote in our house! Highly recommend this book!

My then three-year-old son got the paperback version of this one last year for Thanksgiving and we've since read it so many times that it's falling apart, so he's getting this hardback version this year.

The story of "an ugly pumpkin" there is a definite message about popularity (and the hazing that comes with rejection) and the patience it takes to find your own place in the world. But none of the ideas are stated overtly, or drawn with a heavy hand.

It's a fun, funny and charming tale that has become a classic in our house. Cleverly written, and drawn, my son has this one memorized, though he still likes us to read it together.

Wonderful children's book that I highly recommend!

i love the book my daughter loves it it is a fun book to read it is great condition i already have book memorized

This man is so talented I'm in awe! This was one of the first books by Dave Horowitz that I purchased. I began reading it to my grandson when he was a month old..he is now going on three and still loves this one. The illustrations alone keep him captivated. I have also purchased much of Mr Horowitz's other childrens material and am always delighted!

I bought this book on a friend's suggestion. At first I wasn't sure why any kid would like this book. It's about an "ugly pumpkin" who can't find a home with anyone in time for Halloween. Several characters, including a goofy looking skeleton and a bunch of trees, are downright mean to this pumpkin, down to leaving him alone in the road and stealing his shoes, only to run him off again. However, our protagonist has a happy ending - just in time for Thanksgiving - as he finds out why being different really isn't so bad. One of my three year old's favorites.

This is basically the ugly duckling told about a pumpkin who turns out to be a squash. Cute idea with great illustrations.

Author of "Hobo Finds A Home"

This book is often mixed with Halloween and hard to find in November, but it's actually a Thanksgiving story. My daughter (3 yrs when we first read it) loves the revelation, of "OH my gosh, I'm a squash!" She says that all year. It's a sweet story. The artwork is a bit crazy to me, but I like the story and rhyme.