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Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 1
[ FROM SEED TO PUMPKIN (LET'S-READ-AND-FIND-OUT SCIENCE) ] BY Pfeffer, Wendy ( Author ) Aug - 2004 [ Paperback ]
In the fall, pumpkins are in the garden, in the supermarkets, and on doorsteps. But do you know how they grow from a tiny yellow seed to a big orange pumpkin? Read and find out! Stage 1 reader.
Paperback
First published August 17, 2004
13 people are currently reading
307 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Pfeffer
75 books26 followersWendy Pfeffer is an award winning author of many children’s books. A former teacher and nursery school director, Mrs. Pfeffer lives in Pennington, New Jersey. In addition to writing, she continues to teach writing and visit schools to share her work.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
October 6, 2017
I read From Seed to Pumpkin with my four-and-a-half year old. He's been interested in growing things from seeds and in the growing cycle so it was timely for us. He was absorbed for the "story" (such as it was; it's mostly just informative/science info about how pumpkins grow from seed to harvest, but the farmer and children in the illustrations help make it more fun and easier to relate to) and it seemed well suited to his level of understanding. He hasn't asked for it again, though--it's really not endearing in that way but I feel it serves its purpose.
August 1, 2020
A companion book to The Pumpkin Book by Gail Gibbons. Another book for fall storytime, but this is also more suited for first grade and up. I liked how the book covers the life cycle of a pumpkin, photosynthesis, and its many uses.
June 21, 2025
The perfect amount of information for a small child. Beautiful illustrations.
October 26, 2017
This is a pretty utilitarian explanation of pumpkin growth for primary elementary grade students. The illustrations are cute and appealing, and so make the information more palatable. I liked that the author included the recipe and experiment at the end. I would have liked for her to also include some of the different varieties of pumpkins as well.
October 21, 2017
Informative, sweet pictures, a lovely sense of seasons, diverse characters pictured.
November 25, 2017
Step by step explanation of how pumpkins grow from seeds. I could definitely use this to talk about how plants grow and what they need during our science unit on living and nonliving things.
October 16, 2021
I learned a lot!
October 21, 2021
This is an informational/ nonfiction book written by Wendy Pfeffer. It's appropriate for read aloud or independent reading for k-3rd and Lexile 550 words. This is a Level 1 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out, which means the book explores introductory concepts perfect for children in the primary grades and supports the Common Core Learning Standards.
Learning about life cycles is an important way to develop children's understanding of the world and help them understand and deal with weighty concepts such as life, death and birth. The book answers the questions with employ engaging quality illustrations. It entertain and educate at the same time.
Sometime around the beginning of October, pumpkins start to appear. In grocery stores, at the hardware store, and, of course, at the pumpkin patch, pumpkins are everywhere in early fall! While pumpkins may be most known for their ability to be carved into jack-o-lanterns, they are actually rather fascinating fruits to study in and of themselves.
This book provides a detailed description of the process by which a pumpkin seed is planted, a vine grows, pumpkins grow large, and pumpkins are harvested to be used as jack-o-lanterns or pumpkin pies.
The book provides lots of scientific facts about this process, albeit at a level that is appropriate for kids in preschool through grade 3. For example, the book discusses how plants make food using sunlight, water, and air (but doesn’t mention big words like photosynthesis or chlorophyl). The lovely illustrations that accompany the text make this book a wonderful way to introduce children to the life cycle of a pumpkin. The back of the book includes additional facts about pumpkins, directions for roasting pumpkin seeds, and an experiment to show kids how plants drink water.
I will take a packet of pumpkin seeds, a sheet of paper with each child’s name written on it and a pen or pencil to the reading area. I will show the packet to the children and ask them what they think is in the packet. Then I open the packet and give each child a pumpkin seed to examine and ask them to describe it. I will also ask the children, “What do you think will happen if you plant the seed?”
I will show the cover of "From Seed to Pumpkin", and explain that this book is about planting seeds that become pumpkins. I will ask for "Turn and talk" and ask children to talk about, "what they think helps the seeds grow and become pumpkins." And I call attention to things that are needed in order for seeds to grow and become pumpkins: moist soil(dirt), light, water and air, bees to pollinate the flowers, someone to keep the weeds out.
I also invite children to help me read the story. As I am reading the words, pointing to the named object in the picture and invite children to say the name of the object. For example, read “Every pumpkin _____(seed)” as I point to the seed. I will continue this process of involving children in the reading of the story. I will tell children that the book will be in the Library Center where they can read it on their own or read it to a friend. then I collect the pumpkin seeds from the children and place them back in the packet. I will ask each child to tell me how many pumpkin seeds they estimate are in the packet and write that number
beside their name. I will explain to children that the packet of seeds will be in the Discovery Center where they can help me count the seeds to see whose estimate is the closest to the actual number.
To reinforce the learning of pumpkin life cycle and comprehension level, I will ask them to make "My Pumpkin Life Cycle Book" By ------
I will provide them 2 orange card stock and 6 white paper in size of 5" x 5" to make their own booklet.
In lower elementary classroom teachers can use this book to chart information about pumpkins. Before beginning the unit teachers can start a KWL chart. After reading this book students will be able to fill in the "What I Learned portion of the chart and cross check it with what they know before they began the unit.
Learning about life cycles is an important way to develop children's understanding of the world and help them understand and deal with weighty concepts such as life, death and birth. The book answers the questions with employ engaging quality illustrations. It entertain and educate at the same time.
Sometime around the beginning of October, pumpkins start to appear. In grocery stores, at the hardware store, and, of course, at the pumpkin patch, pumpkins are everywhere in early fall! While pumpkins may be most known for their ability to be carved into jack-o-lanterns, they are actually rather fascinating fruits to study in and of themselves.
This book provides a detailed description of the process by which a pumpkin seed is planted, a vine grows, pumpkins grow large, and pumpkins are harvested to be used as jack-o-lanterns or pumpkin pies.
The book provides lots of scientific facts about this process, albeit at a level that is appropriate for kids in preschool through grade 3. For example, the book discusses how plants make food using sunlight, water, and air (but doesn’t mention big words like photosynthesis or chlorophyl). The lovely illustrations that accompany the text make this book a wonderful way to introduce children to the life cycle of a pumpkin. The back of the book includes additional facts about pumpkins, directions for roasting pumpkin seeds, and an experiment to show kids how plants drink water.
I will take a packet of pumpkin seeds, a sheet of paper with each child’s name written on it and a pen or pencil to the reading area. I will show the packet to the children and ask them what they think is in the packet. Then I open the packet and give each child a pumpkin seed to examine and ask them to describe it. I will also ask the children, “What do you think will happen if you plant the seed?”
I will show the cover of "From Seed to Pumpkin", and explain that this book is about planting seeds that become pumpkins. I will ask for "Turn and talk" and ask children to talk about, "what they think helps the seeds grow and become pumpkins." And I call attention to things that are needed in order for seeds to grow and become pumpkins: moist soil(dirt), light, water and air, bees to pollinate the flowers, someone to keep the weeds out.
I also invite children to help me read the story. As I am reading the words, pointing to the named object in the picture and invite children to say the name of the object. For example, read “Every pumpkin _____(seed)” as I point to the seed. I will continue this process of involving children in the reading of the story. I will tell children that the book will be in the Library Center where they can read it on their own or read it to a friend. then I collect the pumpkin seeds from the children and place them back in the packet. I will ask each child to tell me how many pumpkin seeds they estimate are in the packet and write that number
beside their name. I will explain to children that the packet of seeds will be in the Discovery Center where they can help me count the seeds to see whose estimate is the closest to the actual number.
To reinforce the learning of pumpkin life cycle and comprehension level, I will ask them to make "My Pumpkin Life Cycle Book" By ------
I will provide them 2 orange card stock and 6 white paper in size of 5" x 5" to make their own booklet.
In lower elementary classroom teachers can use this book to chart information about pumpkins. Before beginning the unit teachers can start a KWL chart. After reading this book students will be able to fill in the "What I Learned portion of the chart and cross check it with what they know before they began the unit.
July 19, 2022
This is from HarperCollins' "Let's-Read-And-Find-Out Science" Stage 1 series for ages 3-7. I'd say 3 to 5 is about right. With one or at most two, short, simple sentences per page the language is a little young for a 7-year-old
The illustrations are very attractive, with three small children doing basic garden chores and then sitting on giant pumpkins all under the approving gaze of a farmer.
The author has clearly struggled to describe plant biology in terms easy enough for small children while not being overly simplistic. That's never easy and sometimes she is more successful than other times. Occasionally it's just easier to use a big word, like carbon dioxide, rather than make confusing sentences like:
The illustrations are very attractive, with three small children doing basic garden chores and then sitting on giant pumpkins all under the approving gaze of a farmer.
The author has clearly struggled to describe plant biology in terms easy enough for small children while not being overly simplistic. That's never easy and sometimes she is more successful than other times. Occasionally it's just easier to use a big word, like carbon dioxide, rather than make confusing sentences like:
"Using energy from the sun, the leaves mix the air with water from the soil to make sugar."Any child knows you can't "mix air with water" to make food, so be prepared with a better explanation of photosynthesis. I can also foresee some interesting questions from this one:
"The bees buzz about, carrying yellow pollen from the male flowers to the female flowers."Hint: the girl flowers on a pumpkin have a bulge just underneath the flower that will eventually grow into a pumpkin.
December 3, 2019
This easy to read picture books takes students on a journey through fall and teaches them all about how pumpkins grow. Starting with just a seed students can see all the work and care that goes into growing the great, big, pumpkins they love to pick. It also shows students a few ways to use the pumpkins they grow.
This is such a cute informational book. It is not typical with real life pictures of a pumpkin or the process of growing but the illustrations are beautiful. The story has more of a story line than a normal informational text but it still gives the straight forward steps to grow a pumpkin from seed to pumpkin.
A book I would connect this to is Pumpkin Jack by Will Hubbell. After growing a pumpkin students would love to make a Jack-O-Lantern and Pumpkin Jack has a great story about Jack-O-Lanterns.
"Colorful leaves turn brown. WInter winds begin to blow, and soon the trees are bare. The farmer looks out over the pumpkin patch, where only a few dead vines remain."
This is such a cute informational book. It is not typical with real life pictures of a pumpkin or the process of growing but the illustrations are beautiful. The story has more of a story line than a normal informational text but it still gives the straight forward steps to grow a pumpkin from seed to pumpkin.
A book I would connect this to is Pumpkin Jack by Will Hubbell. After growing a pumpkin students would love to make a Jack-O-Lantern and Pumpkin Jack has a great story about Jack-O-Lanterns.
"Colorful leaves turn brown. WInter winds begin to blow, and soon the trees are bare. The farmer looks out over the pumpkin patch, where only a few dead vines remain."
April 25, 2021
Book Title: From Seed to Pumpkin
Author/Illustrator: Wendy Pfeffer (Author); James Graham Hale (Illustrator)
Reading Level: 2.6
Book Level: grades 1-3
Book Summary: Pumpkins can be baked in a pie. Pumpkins can be carved into jack-o'-lanterns. Pumpkin seeds can be roasted for a healthy snack. But how does a tiny seed turn into a big pumpkin? Read and find out what a pumpkin seed needs to help it grow!
Bookshelf Genre: Informational Text
Bookshelf Mentor Writing Traits:
Word Choice: This book does a wonderful job at including a variety of words explaining a specific science topic. Words that were chosen are appropriate for the age level of the book.
Ideas: I would have students plant a pumpkin seed and keep track of its growth. As it grows, I would have students practice writing sentences that describe what they are seeing happening with the plant.
Author/Illustrator: Wendy Pfeffer (Author); James Graham Hale (Illustrator)
Reading Level: 2.6
Book Level: grades 1-3
Book Summary: Pumpkins can be baked in a pie. Pumpkins can be carved into jack-o'-lanterns. Pumpkin seeds can be roasted for a healthy snack. But how does a tiny seed turn into a big pumpkin? Read and find out what a pumpkin seed needs to help it grow!
Bookshelf Genre: Informational Text
Bookshelf Mentor Writing Traits:
Word Choice: This book does a wonderful job at including a variety of words explaining a specific science topic. Words that were chosen are appropriate for the age level of the book.
Ideas: I would have students plant a pumpkin seed and keep track of its growth. As it grows, I would have students practice writing sentences that describe what they are seeing happening with the plant.
June 13, 2017
1. The book "From Seed to Pumpkin" by Wendy Pfeffer is about the life cycle of a pumpkin. It explains the process from the seed until it becomes a pumpkin. The book explains what the seed needs to grow into a pumpkin.
2. I use this book as part of my informational unit in the fall. I bring in a real pumpkin seed and a pumpkin. We review the process of what happens from a seed to a pumpkin. This ties into our science unit and informational writing. The students may use transition words to explain the process.
3. I would pair this book with "The Biggest Pumpkin Ever" by Steven Kroll.
4. "When spring winds warm the earth, a farmer plants hundreds of pumpkin seeds. Every pumpkin seed can become a baby pumpkin plant.
2. I use this book as part of my informational unit in the fall. I bring in a real pumpkin seed and a pumpkin. We review the process of what happens from a seed to a pumpkin. This ties into our science unit and informational writing. The students may use transition words to explain the process.
3. I would pair this book with "The Biggest Pumpkin Ever" by Steven Kroll.
4. "When spring winds warm the earth, a farmer plants hundreds of pumpkin seeds. Every pumpkin seed can become a baby pumpkin plant.
June 5, 2022
From From Seed to Pumpkin (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 1) by Wendy Pfeffer, Illustrator James Graham Hale Hindi language translation by Arvind Gupta- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the story of life cycle of a pumpkin, photosynthesis, and its many uses in food and festivals. For seeds to grow and become pumpkins: moist soil (dirt), light, water and air, bees to pollinate the flowers are necessary. Weeds have to weeded out so that pumpkin gets proper water for growth. Coloured illustrations help the reader to relate to the story. I have read the Hindi language translation of this book.
October 14, 2021
A fun way to learn about the life cycle of pumpkins with great details that are probably most suited for 3 or 4 year olds and up, but Elliot still enjoyed it. I paraphrased a few longer pages and used flash cards I found online with photos of the life cycle (seed, sprout, vine, flower, tiny green pumpkin, orange pumpkin) and we put the cards in sequence while reading the book, which was great practice for using sequencing terms like “first”, “then”, and “last”.
*library book; read at 2 years old
*library book; read at 2 years old
October 17, 2017
When there are so many pumpkin treats around this time of year, it’s a good time to share books about where pumpkins come from. This book uses easy to read and understand text, along with welcoming, cheerful illustrations to show how pumpkins grow from seeds to the full grown fruits we know and love. There are nice diagrams explaining the science behind growing these plants, and there are directions for further activities to extend the book.
April 24, 2020
Genre: informational grade: 1-3
This book is such a cute way of explaining how plants grow! I think they both like this would be especially helpful in areas where farming and growing plants is not as prevalent. In more urban areas many kids do not understand how plants grow at all. This book is very good at explaining that in an interactive and cute way the kids will understand and enjoy.
This book is such a cute way of explaining how plants grow! I think they both like this would be especially helpful in areas where farming and growing plants is not as prevalent. In more urban areas many kids do not understand how plants grow at all. This book is very good at explaining that in an interactive and cute way the kids will understand and enjoy.
May 9, 2017
A great book for 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders! The book tells in order of how a seed is planted in the spring and how the seed need a lot of water and sunlight in order for it to grow. The book tells you step by step on how the pumpkin starts from a seed, to a plant and onto a pumpkin.
October 20, 2017
I didn't find this book too interesting but picked it up for seasonal reading. My toddler enjoys it quite a bit, and there's certainly a nice introduction of some scientific concepts. Illustration style is pleasant enough.
April 18, 2020
Genre: Informational Nonfiction
Grade Range: Early Primary (K-1)
I really liked this book and the information presented. The illustration were very helpful in understanding what the story was saying. I liked that it gave detailed examples of exactly how pumpkins, and sometimes other plants, grow.
Grade Range: Early Primary (K-1)
I really liked this book and the information presented. The illustration were very helpful in understanding what the story was saying. I liked that it gave detailed examples of exactly how pumpkins, and sometimes other plants, grow.
September 5, 2020
Great for my pumpkin loving preschooler. I liked the simple explanation of photosynthesis and his little mind was blown learning that pumpkins are fruits. Also includes a recipe for roasted pumpkin seeds, and a science experiment about how plants drink.
October 18, 2017
Genre: Nonfiction
This book is great for Kindergarten and up. One unique feature of this book is it discusses the life cycle of a pumpkin in a fun way!
This book is great for Kindergarten and up. One unique feature of this book is it discusses the life cycle of a pumpkin in a fun way!
March 15, 2018
Clear, concise writing (perfect for reading out loud to small children), and cute, informative illustrations. We liked this one!
September 27, 2019
Describes the botany and life cycle of pumpkins.
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June 23, 20202917
November 20, 2020
We love all the Let’s Red and Find Out books they’re informative and have activities in the back to bring the book to life they’re like mini unit studies.
January 25, 2023
A good book for children learning about plants/gardening, the art is pleasant and the explanations clear
October 18, 2023
Detailed, but manages to stay engaging
December 6, 2023
I wish this book had been around when I was a little girl. Thanks so much for writing it. This books explains the process of plant growth simply without talking down to the child reader. Well done!
October 8, 2024
perfect book for 2nd graders curious about pumpkins!
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December 9, 2015Title: From Seed To Pumpkin
Author: Wendy Pfeffe
Illustrator: James Graham Hale
Genre: “How To” book
Theme(s): Life Cycles, Children Learning
Opening line/sentence: “When spring winds warm the earth, a farmer plants hundreds of pumpkin seeds.”
Brief Book Summary: This book is a very detailed stories of how pumpkin seeds grow and form into big orange pumpkins. Once the pumpkins form, the book discusses all the seasonal things people do with pumpkins and a list of activities at the end.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 1-Another entry in the popular and useful science series, this title explains in simple, clear language the stages in the development of a seed into a pumpkin. A couple of easy recipes and experiments are appended. Appealing watercolor-and-pencil illustrations show children involved in planting and tending the pumpkins, and help make the process and the passage of time understandable to this audience.-Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Children's Literature
Pumpkins always make me think of Halloween and Thanksgiving. One for the jack-o'-lanterns and two for the delicious pies. Pfeffer takes kids through the cycle of how the bright orange vegetable comes to be. It all starts in the spring when the farmer plants the seeds. The water and nutrients in the soil help the plant that tiny sprouts from the seeds grow bigger and push their way up out of the soil. The roots draw up the water while the leaves make food for the plant using energy from the sun air and water. Pumpkins hug the ground and the vines spread like a carpet. Then bright orange flowers appear. After pollination the fruit begins to grow and by fall pumpkins have gone from green to yellow to orange. Then they are harvested and used for decoration and as a food source. Even the seeds make a tasty treat. At the end of the book there is more information, a recipe and an experiment. The growth process is clearly described and depicted and will make a nice adjunct to a beginning science collection and also a perfect book for the fall. A Level 1 book in the "Let's-Read-And-Find-Out Science" series. 2004, Harper Collins, , Ages 3 to 6.
—Marilyn Courtot
Response to Two Professional Reviews: These two reviewers both accurately describe the success of the illustrations by Hale in this book. School Library Journal discusses show the illustrations in the book show children involved in the process of planting and caring for pumpkins which makes it easily understandable for children. I liked how the Children’s Literature review states that this book is well depicted and makes it a perfect beginning book for fall because I agree!
Evaluation of Literary Elements: This book uses very vivid and detailed illustrations to portray the process of seeds growing. The illustrations are enhanced by various word bubbles, thought bubbles and arrows to portray just exactly what the text says and more. In addition, the book is written is short phrased paragraphs that are easy to read for young children.
Consideration of Instructional Application: This book can be used to apply to a seasonal lesson in the fall for children. It can teach them all about how people use pumpkins and the class can potentially carve a pumpkin or make some pumpkin treats. In addition, this book can be used to teach children all about how plants grow.
Author: Wendy Pfeffe
Illustrator: James Graham Hale
Genre: “How To” book
Theme(s): Life Cycles, Children Learning
Opening line/sentence: “When spring winds warm the earth, a farmer plants hundreds of pumpkin seeds.”
Brief Book Summary: This book is a very detailed stories of how pumpkin seeds grow and form into big orange pumpkins. Once the pumpkins form, the book discusses all the seasonal things people do with pumpkins and a list of activities at the end.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 1-Another entry in the popular and useful science series, this title explains in simple, clear language the stages in the development of a seed into a pumpkin. A couple of easy recipes and experiments are appended. Appealing watercolor-and-pencil illustrations show children involved in planting and tending the pumpkins, and help make the process and the passage of time understandable to this audience.-Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Children's Literature
Pumpkins always make me think of Halloween and Thanksgiving. One for the jack-o'-lanterns and two for the delicious pies. Pfeffer takes kids through the cycle of how the bright orange vegetable comes to be. It all starts in the spring when the farmer plants the seeds. The water and nutrients in the soil help the plant that tiny sprouts from the seeds grow bigger and push their way up out of the soil. The roots draw up the water while the leaves make food for the plant using energy from the sun air and water. Pumpkins hug the ground and the vines spread like a carpet. Then bright orange flowers appear. After pollination the fruit begins to grow and by fall pumpkins have gone from green to yellow to orange. Then they are harvested and used for decoration and as a food source. Even the seeds make a tasty treat. At the end of the book there is more information, a recipe and an experiment. The growth process is clearly described and depicted and will make a nice adjunct to a beginning science collection and also a perfect book for the fall. A Level 1 book in the "Let's-Read-And-Find-Out Science" series. 2004, Harper Collins, , Ages 3 to 6.
—Marilyn Courtot
Response to Two Professional Reviews: These two reviewers both accurately describe the success of the illustrations by Hale in this book. School Library Journal discusses show the illustrations in the book show children involved in the process of planting and caring for pumpkins which makes it easily understandable for children. I liked how the Children’s Literature review states that this book is well depicted and makes it a perfect beginning book for fall because I agree!
Evaluation of Literary Elements: This book uses very vivid and detailed illustrations to portray the process of seeds growing. The illustrations are enhanced by various word bubbles, thought bubbles and arrows to portray just exactly what the text says and more. In addition, the book is written is short phrased paragraphs that are easy to read for young children.
Consideration of Instructional Application: This book can be used to apply to a seasonal lesson in the fall for children. It can teach them all about how people use pumpkins and the class can potentially carve a pumpkin or make some pumpkin treats. In addition, this book can be used to teach children all about how plants grow.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews