Pumpkin Day, Pumpkin Night

by Anne Rockwell, Megan Halsey (Illustrator)

And so begins this timeless story of a treasured childhood tradition. Jack-o-lantern faces are drawn on paper in anticipation. Baskets of apples fill the air with the crisp, sweet smell of fall at the farmers' market. There a child finds a pumpkin that's not too big and not too small. Soon it's carved (with mother's help, of course), and set outside to glow in the starry night. Written by Anne Rockwell, one of the most beloved names in books for preschoolers, and illustrated by Megan Halsey, whose delightfully uncluttered paper sculptures speak clearly to young children, Pumpkin Day, Pumpkin Night is a friendly toast to a child's sense of accomplishment and the joy of a special day shared between parent and child.

Pumpkin Day, Pumpkin Night is the second collaboration by Anne Rockwell and Megan Halsey, the creative team behind One Bean , an American Bookseller "Pick of the List."

Genres: Halloween, Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday, Storytime, Realistic Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 1, 1999

Reviews

[Monster]

I admit there is nothing scary about Pumpkin Day, Pumpkin Night. Still, it’s a great book for the Halloween season. With simple words and spare text, and lots of repetition, Anne Rockwell describes the experience of a child exploring a pumpkin patch, choosing a pumpkin, scooping out the insides, and carving a jack-o-lantern with his mother. Older readers may smile, looking back on the days when they roasted and salted pumpkin seeds in the oven (mine were always a little burned). Halsey’s illustrations fit the text well- uncluttered paper sculptures give the pages a three dimensional appearance, so pumpkins really look like they’re piled up, and even cast shadows in places. Clean lines and bright colors make this a perfect choice for sharing this Halloween tradition with a preschooler before venturing out to the pumpkin patch together.

Review by Kirsten Kowalewski

[The Bougie Twins · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Kylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This simple book follows a boy as he tells the reader about “pumpkin time” or fall basically. Then he and his mom pick out pumpkins at the farmers market. He describes everything he sees there. Then they go home and carve his pumpkin. Strangely not much happens in the book, yet it is very descriptive, so it is a decent length. This would probably be best for kindergarten aged children, as I think most younger children would probably get bored with it. Otherwise it is a very good book to read in October.

[Lneme2651ung.Edu · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about a little boy who is getting excited to go pumpkin picking and celebrate fall with all of the wonderful things you can do with pumpkins. He draws pumpkin faces, goes pumpkin picking, makes jack-o-lanterns, makes roasted pumpkins seeds, and pumpkin pie. I like this story because it clearly depicts fall traditions with pumpkins and students of all ages can relate to this story. This story can be used as an introduction to fall or Halloween.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little boy picks out the best pumpkin--not too big and not too small. A bit too texty for storytime? But a cute halloween story

[Alyssa]

Read 6 times

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun, simple story for a little.

[Jennifer Heise · Rating 4 out of 5]

The narrator loves pumpkin season, and carefully plans out his jack-o-lantern, from drawing test faces to shopping for it at the farm with Mom, and finally carving and displaying it. A lyrical story with a stronger Halloween tie-in than the author's "Apples and Pumpkins." A similar theme, but less strong treatment is in "Pick a circle, gather squares: a harvest of shapes." This is a book we'll pick out again when the holiday rolls around.

[jacky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Natalie grabbed this out of the board book area, and we took it home since it is perfect for this time of year. It is a simple and short enough story for Natalie to sit through and it covers the whole process of getting a pumpkin to make a jack'o'lantern. Nice illustrations. I learned that you can easily book the seeds from the pumpkin.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of our favorite fall books!

[Ginette · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a sweet story about a little boy finding his perfect pumpkin to carve.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was surprised to discover that the hardcover and board book versions of this book are not the same; the hardcover contains a lot more text. I would rate both as a 3s --- pretty good books.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a well-done introduction to the tradition of carving a jack-o-lantern.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The message I got from this is that mothers should be the ones cutting out faces on pumpkins and using matches; I would have like the author to have taken some risks.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read during a preschool class visit on 10/17/12: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...

[Elaine Hebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book because its about pumpkins.

[Lauren White · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for grades prek-2

[Cecily V · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe I'll like this one a bit more when I'm older! For now, there were maybe a bit too many words for my patience.