Pinky and Rex and the Perfect Pumpkin

Pinky and Rex #11

by James Howe, Melissa Sweet (Illustrator)

When Rex is invited to go along on the traditional pumpkin-picking trip with Pinky's grandparents, she doesn't feel that Pinky's cousin Abby really wants her to be part of the fun.

Genres: Picture Books, Halloween, Childrens

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

James Howe has written more than eighty books in the thirty-plus years he's been writing for young readers. It sometimes confuses people that the author of the humorous Bunnicula series also wrote the dark young adult novel, The Watcher, or such beginning reader series as Pinky and Rex and the E.B. White Read Aloud Award-winning Houndsley and Catina and its sequels. But from the beginning of his career (which came about somewhat by accident after asking himself what kind of vampire a rabbit might make), he has been most interested in letting his imagination take him in whatever direction it cared to. So far, his imagination has led him to picture books, such as I Wish I Were a Butterfly and Brontorina (about a dinosaur who dreams of being a ballerina), mysteries, poetry (in the upcoming Addie on the Inside), and fiction that deals with issues that matter deeply to him. He is especially proud of The Misfits, which inspired national No Name-Calling Week (www.nonamecallingweek.org) and its sequel Totally Joe. He does not know where his imagination will take him in the next thirty-plus years, but he is looking forward to finding out.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pinky’s grandparents have a tradition of pumpkin picking with the grandkids and Rex. Rex is known to them as good-as-a-granddaughter. They also join a cousin Abby to pick pumpkins. Usually, it’s Pinky, Abby and Rex who leave out Amanda - the little sister. Something is different this year. Rex is feeling left out of the family.

It’s the perfect year for everything accept Rex. Abby is making the day miserable for Rex and really doing some psychological warfare here. That night something happens and the next day all the feelings pour out of the children. There is a make up session.

I actually feel this is an important story for kids with all the different types of bullying going on out there. How do you handle yourself when all the sudden a place you feel safe is now a place you’re not welcome. Every kid has to go through something like this. A time of being left out or talked about where an adult doesn’t even know it’s happening. All this happened under the grandparents nose and not one of them noticed before the hurt was done.

I think all that’s good and I love the pumpkin picking tradition they all have. When I was in Michigan, we would go an apple orchard each year with family and have fresh apple cider, special donuts after going out in the pumpkin patch and picking pumpkins. Those were good times. Some family traditions are worth keeping.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

We've read several books in the Pinky and Rex series by James Howe and Melissa Sweet and we like the unusual characters and the purposeful challenge to stereotypes.

This is a good story that tackles the tough subject of jealousy and apologizing for misbehavior. The sad, but true fact is that it is not uncommon for a child in a group of relatives and/or friends to get excluded or picked on. I like that the grandparents in the story handle the situation with sensitivity, but expect some kind of apology.

This story is more about Autumn, but with the pumpkin picking trip and the making of a jack o'lantern, it is a great story to read for Halloween. The trip to the farm in the story mirrored almost exactly our recent trip to a local farm to go pumpkin picking and our girls really enjoyed reminiscing about the experience.

We enjoyed reading this book together and we will certainly look for more of the books in this series from our local library.

[Josiah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would likely give this book either two and a half or three stars.

I love this simple, sweet, aching story. We're fortunate to have James Howe, who is willing and able to create meaningful stories with depth for kids who are just beginning to read.

The ache of feeling left out that follows Rex most of the way in this book gives subtle power to the subtle. Pinky and Rex and the Perfect Pumpkin is nearly perfect for what it is, beautifully and soulfully done.

I recommend this for anyone who loves good literature, and those who have cherished the unique goodness of James Howe's books in the past and want to enjoy more of it.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is part of the Pinky and Rex series for beginning readers. Students will feel that they're transitioning from picture books to illustrated chapter books. I thought the story was well-thought-out and delivered. I liked the illustrations and the theme is something that a lot of kids can relate to: jealousy and wanting to be a part of a clique.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

"My First Book about How to Form a Clique." Abby's reformation seems implausible. But everyone knows how to apologize, so it's all hea....

[Nichole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice little book about tradition, family, and changing alliances.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jealousy almost destroys the friendship of Rex and Pinky's family when the Halloween pumpkin hunt causes problems.