Pumpkins!

Written by Jill Esbaum, Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin Pie is one of the crisp nonfiction picture books in the National Geographic Kids Picture the Seasons series. The first few pages depict the life cycle of a pumpkin from seed to fruit, the pumpkin itself, in full bleed photographs or collages. Poetic text accompanying each photograph describes the growth of the pumpkin plant. Then, the text describes different types of pumpkins in the photographs on each page. At times, it is difficult to discern whether the text extends the photographs or vice versa because they seem to work in unison throughout the book.  

Pictures of children with pumpkins are paired with bold text about how people use pumpkins in the fall. Several examples lead up to the awaited glowing jack’- o- lanterns with which many young readers associate pumpkins. Poetic verses describe the rotting of a pumpkin plant and the coming of winter as the life cycle continues.  The final photograph captures a large tree over bright orange pumpkins lying on a barren ground sprinkled with snow. Though appropriate text drifts across the page, the photograph clearly speaks the hush of winter and the hope of new life.

While children of all ages will enjoy studying the photographs, the layout of the text makes this book a difficult read for young children. This would be an appropriate fall read-aloud for the home or classroom. Teachers might consider using Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin Pie to introduce a science unit on pumpkin plants. This book easily lends itself to a discussion about the pumpkin plant life cycle, how people use plants, or the season of fall. Another great picture book with which this book might be paired is called Pumpkin Circle: The Story of a Garden.