Big Pumpkin

by Erica Silverman, S.D. Schindler (Illustrator)

Overview

A little bat uses brains over brawn in this not-so-scary Halloween picture book.

The witch has grown the biggest pumpkin ever, and now she wants to make herself a pumpkin pie for Halloween. But the pumpkin is so big she can't get it off the vine.

It’s so big the ghost can’t move it, either. Neither can the vampire, nor the mummy. It looks as if there’ll be no pumpkin pie for Halloween, until along comes the bat with an idea to save the day.

How can the tiny bat succeed where bigger and strong spooky creatures have failed? You'll be surprised!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780027826838
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Publication date:	08/31/1992
Edition description:	Repackage
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	10.00(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	AD420L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Erica Silverman is the author of several books including Big Pumpkin; When the Chickens Went on Strike, which was a Sydney Taylor Honor book; and Sholom’s Treasure, which won the Sydney Taylor Award and was a runner-up for the National Jewish Book Award. Her books have received the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award, the California Young Reader Medal, ABA Pick of the List, and the Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor. She lives in Los Angeles, California. Visit her at EricaSilverman.com.

S. D. Schindler is the popular and versatile illustrator of many books for children, including Ursula K. Le Guin’s Catwings series; Skeleton Hiccups and Monster Mess!, both by Margery Cuyler; Big Pumpkin and the ALA Notable Children’s Book Don’t Fidget a Feather!, both by Erica Silverman; How Santa Got His Job by Stephen Krensky; and Johnny Appleseed by Rosemary and Stephen Vincent Benét. He lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His website is SDSchindlerBooks.com.

Editorial Reviews

With pie on her mind, a witch goes to her garden to pick a special pumpkin off the vine. But she's watered and weeded it a bit too well--the gigantic pumpkin won't be budged. A ghost comes along and offers his help, as does a vampire, and a mummy, but all their tugging is to no avail. Then a bat flutters up, and the others laugh, for what can such a little thing do? The bat has an idea, though: they will all pull together. The pumpkin is liberated, and the ghoulies are soon enjoying pie. A take-off on other stories where giant vegetables (notably turnips) are pulled from the ground, this one will have special appeal because of its Halloween theme. Silverman's use of repetition is slightly overdone, but the rhythmic word patterns will still be pleasing to kids. Artwork, heavy both in shape and color, is a good choice for this nighttime adventure. A treat for story hours.

Ilene Cooper

* "A rollicking, amusing Halloween tale... The text is rhythmic and repetitive, making it a surefire success for story hours or read-alouds"

starred review School Library Journal