October is Pumpkin Patch Month and every year I help my friends at Bettencourt Family Farms welcome children who come to pick out a special pumpkin for a class project. And, every year I treat myself to a new pumpkin-themed book. I’m happy to share my new seasonal favorite on Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday link up.
PICK A PUMPKIN
By Patricia Toht (author) and Jarvis (illustrator)
Candlewick Press 2019
Fiction picture book for pumpkin lovers of all ages
Themes – Pumpkins, Holidays, Fall
Opening lines:
Pick a pumpkin
from the patch-
tall and lean
or short and fat.
Vivid orange,
ghostly white,
or speckled green
might be just right.
This book is written in child-friendly perfect rhyme (which is not an easy thing to do) and shows the pumpkin adventures of a happy family as they choose, clean, and creatively carve pumpkins.
The lush layered illustrations have a vintage look showing a diverse group of children enjoying all aspects of the Halloween season.
This is such a fun book to read out loud to a group of children – especially at a pumpkin patch.
I love spending the day at the pumpkin patch!
Here they come!
After learning about the life cycle of pumpkins and the various varieties, the search is on!
The children chose interesting pumpkins (and one boy picked a turban squash)
Isn’t this a perfect spot to read?
Snack time! These are peeled clementines with celery stems. Don’t they look like little pumpkins?
Time to play –
Pumpkin Toss
Broom Relay Race
and a scavenger hunt (feel free to copy and paste this for your own use)
Thanks for stopping by. Comment if you’d like – I’d love to hear about your favorite pumpkin books.
Sarah Tobias says
It makes sense that a Pumpkin book would come from an Illinois author. Illinois is the biggest grower of pumpkins. Living in the country you get loads of choices for heading into a pumpkin patch.
I love pumpkins and Halloween. Thanks for sharing your adventures and this book.
I hope I get to read it before Halloween. There were quite a few holds on the copies in our system.
Maria Marshall says
I’ve been waiting for this book. Ever since Pick A Pine Tree released! Congrats Patricia!
Adelia says
Where’s the pumpkin patch? I saw a picture of Ava ❤️❤️❤️
Claire Annette Noland says
Yes- Ava’s class came. Great bunch of kiddos!
Adelia says
Yikes it’s just down the street from me
Patricia Tilton says
That a lovely autumn book. I love the rhyming and the gorgeous illustrations.
I love picking pie pumpkins and freezing 2 Cups of cooked pumpkin in 2 qt bags for the holidays.
Claire Annette Noland says
That’s a great idea to freeze pumpkin. I think I’ll give it a try!
Diane Tulloch says
Lovely book for around Halloween time and anytime you fancy pumpkin. Great choice. So loved all the beautiful pics too.
Claire Annette Noland says
I’m really having fun sharing it with kids.
Tina Cho says
I miss pumpkin patches from the states! Thanks for highlighting Patti’s book!
Claire Annette Noland says
My kids in Nicaragua are missing them too. My son-in-law requested that we bring canned pumpkin on our the last visit!
Trine Grillo says
Looks like a fun day, Claire. Thanks for highlighting the book.
Claire Annette Noland says
I always look forward to pumpkin patch time.