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Miss Fiona's Stupendous Pumpkin Pies
At Halloween, all the neighborhood children look forward to eating the delicious pumpkin pies made by Fiona, an old woman who reminds them of a witch.
24 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
September 19, 2018
I've gone back on forth on this one between 3 and 4 stars. It's somewhere in between probably for me, but I ended up with 4 stars. This is told in rhyming prose which I love. I did feel like a few lines dropped a beat here or there and broke the rhythm established.
Miss Fiona knows how to create anticipation. She makes this little kids wait till midnight before they get her amazing pumpkin pies. I mean, that's late. She loves her pumpkins. She has so many they are all over the house. There is also a mystery of is she a real witch or dressed up for Halloween. The question is hinted at, but not answered.
The mood and tone are all Halloween. I did like the artwork, but it wasn't amazing. It's a nice cozy read. My birthday has past, which I consider the opening of Halloween season, so get ready for Halloween books.
Miss Fiona knows how to create anticipation. She makes this little kids wait till midnight before they get her amazing pumpkin pies. I mean, that's late. She loves her pumpkins. She has so many they are all over the house. There is also a mystery of is she a real witch or dressed up for Halloween. The question is hinted at, but not answered.
The mood and tone are all Halloween. I did like the artwork, but it wasn't amazing. It's a nice cozy read. My birthday has past, which I consider the opening of Halloween season, so get ready for Halloween books.
November 13, 2009
This is technically a Halloween book but since it's about pumpkin pies (which I associate with Thanksgiving), I read it in-between. It was a cute enough read, but nothing memorable or great. The illustrations made me think of the Gooseberry Patch catalog (cutesy country cozy stuff) and there were lots of cats, so I enjoyed that! The story is a bit long, and the poem is awkward--I hate to say it, but it seemed a bit amateurish. Still, it's a "gentle" Halloween read for those not too keen on the scary stuff.
October 12, 2018
Famous in the neighborhood for her delicious pumpkin pies, Miss Fiona - a cackling old witch who lives in the haunted house beyond the graveyard - prepares for Halloween night in this rhyming holiday tale. Harvesting the pumpkins from her very own patch, decorating her house with copious jack-o-lanterns, and (of course!) baking her beloved pies, she makes everything ready for midnight on the important day, when all the local children arrive for their annual treat.
Although I was occasionally distracted by the awkward rhyme scheme here - sometimes it worked, and sometimes it just didn't - I did enjoy reading Miss Fiona's Stupendous Pumpkin Pies, appreciating both the seasonal fun of the story, and the cute artwork by Karen Hillard Crouch. The latter had a distinctly folksy feel to it, and reminded me a bit of the work of Jane Ray. All in all, a fun story for the holidays, particularly for those young children who like their Halloween fare more on the sweet side!
Although I was occasionally distracted by the awkward rhyme scheme here - sometimes it worked, and sometimes it just didn't - I did enjoy reading Miss Fiona's Stupendous Pumpkin Pies, appreciating both the seasonal fun of the story, and the cute artwork by Karen Hillard Crouch. The latter had a distinctly folksy feel to it, and reminded me a bit of the work of Jane Ray. All in all, a fun story for the holidays, particularly for those young children who like their Halloween fare more on the sweet side!
September 22, 2017
I picked up this book and chose it for my daughter's first introduction to Witches and Halloween after reading a handful of other Halloween books while at Barnes and Noble almost two years ago. I absolutely loved how good-natured and positive the entire book was. The good morals , the innocent way that Halloween was written in the story, and the illustrations were visually stimulating in a pleasing manner; very reminiscent of the simple rustic country art I used to love seeing in small towns as a child. I loved being able to find such a little gem as this book for my daughter, and it's actually my 19 month old's favorite book that she gets us to read to her every night!
March 19, 2018
This is my all time favorite Halloween story to read!! I came across this book several years ago and bought it to read with my sons. I knew it was a must buy for my library and it instantly became my traditional annual October read! It is a must read, especially if you love pumpkin pie! 🎃
Miss. Fiona lives in the spookiest house on the street, the kind all kids are drawn too. Every Halloween she picks all of her pumpkins and sets to work making her stupendous pumpkin pies from her most secret recipe. At midnight all the neighborhood children gather at her house waiting to try a piece of her delicious pumpkin pie!
This book is such a fun, rhyming story that you and your kids will never get tired of reading together!
Miss. Fiona lives in the spookiest house on the street, the kind all kids are drawn too. Every Halloween she picks all of her pumpkins and sets to work making her stupendous pumpkin pies from her most secret recipe. At midnight all the neighborhood children gather at her house waiting to try a piece of her delicious pumpkin pie!
This book is such a fun, rhyming story that you and your kids will never get tired of reading together!
October 2, 2011
I read through this book at the bookstore today and brought it home to read to my boys. It is super cute! I love the rhyming, fun text and cool illustrations. Great halloween book!
October 16, 2014
Miss Fiona loves pumpkins, pies and children. The story is in rhyming form and the artwork is beautiful and inviting.
October 4, 2020
A fun story of a witch who bakes pumpkin pie on Halloween using her secret recipe. We really enjoyed the book, which is a very long poem, very similar to 'Twas The Night Before Christmas.
September 1, 2016
I picked this up because I have LOVED the books I've read written by Mark Kimball Moulton. His book Reindeer Christmas is a book that we plan on purchasing to read at Christmas every year. If you haven't read that book, you absolutely must pick it up this Christmas!
Moulton has written several books and I've enjoyed them all. His rhyming style is so easy to read. This only reason this one gets 4 stars instead of 5 is because I did stumble over a few of the rhymes in this book. Generally his words flow so easily. His books have actually made me more critical of other rhyming books that have to restructure a sentence in a weird way in order to make it rhyme.
The illustrations in his books are always beautiful as well. I love the style - a cozy country soft feel. My daughter and I liked to count the pumpkins and/or cats on the page.
The story was about a lady that a lot of people think are a witch. But every Halloween she makes delicious pumpkin pies that she gives to all the kids in the neighborhood at midnight. It's a sweet story and a great read for those who don't love the "scary" part of Halloween.
If you haven't read any books by Moulton, I highly recommend that you pick some up. I'd suggest starting with Reindeer Christmas and Scarecrow Pete.
Moulton has written several books and I've enjoyed them all. His rhyming style is so easy to read. This only reason this one gets 4 stars instead of 5 is because I did stumble over a few of the rhymes in this book. Generally his words flow so easily. His books have actually made me more critical of other rhyming books that have to restructure a sentence in a weird way in order to make it rhyme.
The illustrations in his books are always beautiful as well. I love the style - a cozy country soft feel. My daughter and I liked to count the pumpkins and/or cats on the page.
The story was about a lady that a lot of people think are a witch. But every Halloween she makes delicious pumpkin pies that she gives to all the kids in the neighborhood at midnight. It's a sweet story and a great read for those who don't love the "scary" part of Halloween.
If you haven't read any books by Moulton, I highly recommend that you pick some up. I'd suggest starting with Reindeer Christmas and Scarecrow Pete.
September 15, 2011
Written by Mark Kimball Moulton, this book was always a Halloween favorite.
Written in rhyme, the story carries the scary Halloween tone that is fun and not too scary for younger children. The color palette by Karen Hillard Crouch sets the tone..nice fall colors..lots of oranges and browns, pumpkins and night stars, witches with warts and a recipe for pie that you won't want to follow!
Written in rhyme, the story carries the scary Halloween tone that is fun and not too scary for younger children. The color palette by Karen Hillard Crouch sets the tone..nice fall colors..lots of oranges and browns, pumpkins and night stars, witches with warts and a recipe for pie that you won't want to follow!
November 4, 2012
Such a delightful, October read.
Full of clever storytelling and illustrations to match, this is an absolute must-read story for the pumpkin season.
This would be great in a secondary classroom to teach students how to build suspense in their writing - as well as how to create illustrations that capture the mood of the piece.
Full of clever storytelling and illustrations to match, this is an absolute must-read story for the pumpkin season.
This would be great in a secondary classroom to teach students how to build suspense in their writing - as well as how to create illustrations that capture the mood of the piece.
October 3, 2009
This book was definitely too old for my 2.5 year old. We'll have to come back to it maybe next year (or the year afterward), since it's just too long. Still, in the story she grew her pumpkins, made them into pies, and had all the neighborhood children over for pumpkin pie and apple cider. Sweet!
September 18, 2010
28 months - we always enjoy a good Halloween read. This is a pretty long rhyming story but luckily O has a great attention span. The rhyme is a bit ackward in places. The illustrations are a bit country-ish but I like the old foxing look to the pages.
October 27, 2010
A cute, non-scary book about a "witch" who makes homemade pumpkin pie from scratch every Halloween to serve to the trick or treaters at midnight. At great honor, one special child is chosen to help serve the pie every year. Beautiful illustrations.
October 27, 2010
Great book to read for Halloween, Liam loved it! I was alittle upset that Fiona had to be in her 400's, but feel the stringy hair may be justified! I will make that hair appointment.I have only managed 2 Pumpkin pies so far this year. Thanks to our friends in Boston for sending this book!
September 14, 2011
My favorite book to read to my kids. I hoped to one day to read it to my grandchildren. This book will always have a special place in my heart and home. My oldest would have me read it to him all the time no matter what the time of year. So thank you Mark
May 27, 2012
This was a nice read for Halloween. The witch makes the best pumpkin pie in the neighborhood once a year for Halloween night. This was a rhyming text, so technically it could be called poetry as well. It was a fun book. I liked it.
December 6, 2012
I loved this book. It had a really sweet moral to the story. That even though Miss Fiona doesn't look all that great on the outside, it's what is inside that counts. The rhyme is sweet and easy and my girls loved hearing the story throughout October.
November 4, 2013
I read this with my 7, 4.5 and 3 year olds. The 4.5 was completely enthralled with it. Love the verse structure used and I truly enjoyed the muted colors used in the illustrations-very much fits the season and tone. I enjoyed the message/moral added in.
October 1, 2009
Personally, I think the illustrations leave a bit to be desired, but the story is clever and humorous.
October 18, 2010
I own a hardcover of this and it's absolutely beautiful. I love the illustrations, they really evoke a great fall/Halloween feeling. Cute rhymes. AND it makes me incredibly hungry for pumpkin pie.
October 21, 2010
My favorite kids Halloween book we own. I have to read it to Easton every day until Oct. 31st. We love the illustrations and the story.
October 25, 2010
One of our favorites Halloween books.
March 28, 2011
Love the rhyming verse. Makes you so hungry for pumpkin pie and inspired to throw a rocking Halloween party. Fun.
October 24, 2011
What an adorable book! I love rhyming books, and the author does a great job without any missteps in meter. A cute Halloween story.
November 11, 2011
just OK--too much rhyming for me
July 15, 2012
Rhyming Halloween story. A friendly baking witch;) I thought it was cute and am happy to add it to our Halloween book collection.
October 4, 2012
It was an ok Halloween book. Slightly weird and just a pinch of creepy.
October 15, 2012
Told in rhyme and illustrated in lovely earthy colors with sparkly jewel toned accents.
October 16, 2012
Very cute.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews