How to Help a Pumpkin Grow

by Ashley Wolff, Ashley Wolff (Illustrator)

Overview

What does it take to help a pumpkin grow? Find out in this warm, rhyming tale of gardening and unexpected friendship.

Dog is planting a garden, doing all he can to help his pumpkins grow: protecting them from snow, weeding and watering their patch, and keeping them safe from barnyard creatures who might eat the sprouts! But are Crow, Rabbit, Duck, and Goat really out to destroy the garden? Or are they be new friends hoping to pitch in and help the pumpkins thrive?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781481419345
Publisher:	Beach Lane Books
Publication date:	07/20/2021
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	1,031,862
Product dimensions:	10.00(w) x 10.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	AD350L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Ashley Wolff lives in Vermont and is the author and illustrator of more than sixty books for children, including the modern classic Miss Bindergarten series by Joseph Slate, and her own celebrated Only the Cat Saw; Where, Oh Where, Is Baby Bear?; Baby Bear Counts One; and Baby Bear Sees Blue. Visit her at AshleyWolff.com.

Ashley Wolff lives in Vermont and is the author and illustrator of more than sixty books for children, including the modern classic Miss Bindergarten series by Joseph Slate, and her own celebrated Only the Cat Saw; Where, Oh Where, Is Baby Bear?; Baby Bear Counts One; and Baby Bear Sees Blue. Visit her at AshleyWolff.com.

Editorial Reviews

07/26/2021

An anthropomorphic, farm-dwelling dog is an eager pumpkin gardener in this rhyming picture book by Wolff. “Dig it./ Spade it./ Seeds to sow.// Keep seeds warm,/ Protect from snow./ I want to help a pumpkin grow,” the book begins in staccato rhythm. The bandana-wearing dog soon realizes that a seemingly hungry crow merely wants to assist. “You want to help a pumpkin grow?” becomes the refrain, as the dog recruits new animal friends—the crow, a rabbit, duck, and goat—and their diligence helps the pumpkins flourish. Wolff’s richly colored, opaquely textured art, rendered in acrylic gouache, showcases the animals’ cooperation: the rabbit eats weeds, the crow holds the hose in its beak, and more. Set in a farmyard world in which levels of anthropomorphism vary (the dog wears accessories and stands upright while the unclothed goat pulls a cart on four legs), this welcoming tale serves as warm encouragement for collaboration. Ages 4–8. (July)

Publishers Weekly

09/01/2021

Toddler-PreS—Pumpkin tales abound, but Wolff's contribution to the harvest is sweet and welcome. An anthropomorphized pup begins planting pumpkins early in the year. As the seasons progress, animal friends join in the work and, ultimately, share in the pie and jack-o'-lantern rewards. The gouache illustrations are vibrant and cheerful, using generous line weight and soft edges to emphasize the agrarian feel. The brief, rhyming text is ideal for sharing aloud. Observant readers will notice many fun details in the spreads, including a helpful little mouse who appears in almost every scene. Children will also observe that only the dog possesses human traits, wearing clothes and wielding opposable thumbs, while the other animals are less anthropomorphic. VERDICT This sweet book is a general purchase for libraries where pumpkin-related fare is in high demand.—Taylor Worley, Springfield P.L., OR

School Library Journal

2021-07-14
An anthropomorphic dog and his animal friends tend pumpkins from seed to table.

It’s spring on the farm, and a border collie dons boots and gloves to dig the garden and sow pumpkin seeds. As the story progresses and the dog works the pumpkin patch, would-be plant and seed eaters, like a crow, rabbit, and goat, instead take part in garden care. While Halloween isn’t mentioned by name, the animal group (which also includes a mouse and goose) carves jack-o’-lanterns after baking and eating some pumpkin pies. Wolff’s illustrations include lovely, subtle details. The spring buds on a nearby tree blossom into a deeper pink with the turn of a page, contrasting poignantly with a surprise flurry. Empty seed packets are placed on stakes in the garden to denote the different cultivars, autumn arrives with a fall of berries from the once-blossoming tree, and the warm glow of sunset signals both a job well done and a book near its end. The mouse that graces the cover is cleverly hidden throughout the story, not always obvious but always present. These illustrative grace notes make for an enjoyable reread. The rhyming text follows a predictable pattern and cadence, which hits just right for little listeners and for an effective read-aloud. Readers will delight in the animals’ proud smiles as the book meets a satisfying end. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A rhythmic seasonal read-aloud with rich, detailed illustrations. (Picture book. 2-5)

Kirkus Reviews