The Runaway Pumpkin
Author: Kevin Lewis
Publisher: Orchard Books
Copyright: 2003
Pages: 32
Reading Level: 2.5
Genre: Picture Book
Rating***

Summary:This story starts off like a fairy tale, though it’s not, can you guess the first line? That’s right once upon a time. So once upon a time there were three siblings, Buck, Billy, and Lil Baxter, whom like most kids loved to go out and wander. On Halloween day, they were out wandering when they went up a big hill and found a HUGE pumpkin. Now those boys saw the pumpkin, and they couldn’t pass it up, so they began pushing and pulling at it, the only one who saw the problem was Lil and she was too late. The next thing any of them knew that great big pumpkin was rolling down the hill. As it went, it first passed the mother who thought of her pumpkin pie. Then on down to grandpa in the chicken coop, who thought of pumpkin soup. Finally, it approached dad down on the tractor, but using his head, he thought of pumpkin bread and plowed a pumpkin bed. The pumpkin then came to a stop and they all gather round. Finally pushing it into the house, they waited while grandma started the cooking. When it all done, they gathered round the tale, eating everything they’d thought of.

Who would benefit from reading this?This would be a good choice for younger children. Not only would it grab their attention with the topic of Halloween but it also teaches about other things that go on during Halloween, such as the many uses of pumpkins other than just for carving. Also it would make a great read aloud with the rhyming and fun art work.

Potential problems/conflicts:If a family does not celebrate Halloween, then this would not be a good book choice for them. Other than that there honestly are no problems or conflicts that I can see.

My reaction:This book captured me because not only do I love pumpkin, but the whole story rhymes. So the story not only catches you, but the pictures are captivating. They fill the page, and the writing is in a fun font and curved or jumbled around the pumpkin typically on every page. It is a very pleasing book to the eye and the ear. I don’t know that I would run out and buy this book, but it is a fun read especially for around Halloween.