We love them in pies, bread, muffins, and Starbucks has found a way to pair them with spice in a latte that is heaven in a cup.
They are the great gourds of the season: pumpkins, pumpkins—-everywhere.
Even in children’s books.
Or, especially in children’s books.
Fall is prime time for the giant orange orbs and there is no better way to get your kids excited about the versatile fruit than by digging into a plethora of eye-popping pumpkin-themed picture books.
One of my daughter’s favorites is Pumpkin Cat by famed author/illustrator Anne Mortimer.
The delightful seasonal tale details the unlikely friendship formed between Cat and Mouse. The two are the antithesis of Tom and Jerry. In fact, not only do they enjoy each other’s company, they spend the entire book working together to plant and grow a giant pumpkin.
Toddlers, preschoolers and other young readers will appreciate Mortimer’s easy-to-follow chronicling of the great pumpkin harvest, from seed planting and watering to weeding, fending off crows, and finally, picking.
The book’s gentle tone and endearing illustrations are as warm and comforting as a mother’s embrace. What’s more, the story comes with an added bonus at the end. Mortimer includes step-by-step instructions on how children can grow their own pumpkins.
Another charming pumpkin tale comes courtesy of a trio of farm animal friends.
In Pumpkin Trouble, uber-popular children’s book author Jan Thomas, gathers Duck, Pig and Mouse for a hilarious romp complete with spooks, spills and a surprise ending that’ll make any kid smile.
The silly story reads like a cartoon strip (it even features bold text bubbles) played out on 40 vibrantly colored pages. At the center of it all is a pumpkin that takes on a life of its own, thanks in large part to the bumbling antics of the farm’s animated web-footed resident.
Pumpkin Trouble is the perfect read-aloud story for toddlers and ideal read-alone short for Level One bookworms. My daughter likened it to one of the vignettes shown during the commercial breaks on Nick and Disney Jr. It’s short, sweet, silly and seasonally appropriate.
Pumpkin Cat and Pumpkin Trouble can be found on HarperCollins’ website, as well as in book stores and discount retailers nationwide.
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