marybatson's Full Review: Kevin Lewis - The Runaway Pumpkin
Are you ready to boogie? Prepare yourself as The Runaway Pumpkin rocks ‘n rolls! While frolicking the hillside of their nearby farmhouse, the Baxter children happen upon an enormous pumpkin. We know it’s the afternoon of Halloween, because the children are decked-out for trick-or-treating. Without thinking, the boys cut the massive squash from the vine and so the fun begins. Little sis tries to warn them, but it’s too late, and the mammoth pumpkin starts rolling down hill.
“Round and ‘round
across the ground
makin’ a
thumpin’
bumpin’ sound
came that
thumpety
bumpety
thumpin’
bumpin’
round and roll-y
RUNAWAY PUMPKIN!”
It smashes through the pigsty, and the chicken coop, scattering farms animals everywhere. It even knocks Grandpa for a loop. Fortunately, Dad spies the runaway pumpkin, and quickly plows a bed at the bottom of the hillside. The freshly tilled earth stops the squash, and somehow, they squeeze the gigantic pumpkin into the house. That night, the family sits around the table in costume and feasts on Granny’s delights from pumpkin soup to pumpkin pie. Joining them at the table is a gigantic grinning jack-o-lantern.
I am thrilled to have stumbled upon this terrific tale at my local library. Kevin Lewis is the author of Chugga, Chugga, Choo, Choo my son’s favorite baby book. Thus, I knew it was going to be great even before reading the first page. The pulse is addictive, so much so I find myself humming it hours later. Some of the rhymes are a little forced, and the story can be a tongue twister to read aloud, but the cadence is so wonderful, I’m not going to nitpick about the rhymes. Moreover, the story’s easier to read the second, and third time around.
S.D. Schindler is quickly becoming one of my favorite artists of children’s books. He illustrated some of my favorite Halloween books: Big Pumpkin, Skeleton Hiccups, One Witch, and now The Runaway Pumpkin. His work is special, because he captivates his audience with rich, and humorous details. For instance, when the pumpkin rolls through the chicken coup and knocks Grandpa on his hinny, a chicken finds refuge on top of his head and lays an egg. This makes my son laugh every time.
Additionally, when the colossal pumpkin rolls through the different vistas, one would think the family members might be alarmed, and concerned for their safety, but they’re all thinking about the delights Granny will make from the squash. Each has a thought bubble above his head with visions of Granny’s pumpkin pie, pumpkin soup, or pumpkin bread. William appreciates that all the characters dress up for the Halloween super as well. My folks never put on disguises, and I would have loved it had they dressed in creative costumes. For me, that’s what makes this holiday different from the others, adults can be silly too.
The pictures in The Runaway Pumpkin are so warm and appealing it feels like autumn. The leaves are falling, and one can almost feel a crispness in the air. There are many golden tones, oranges, rusts, and browns. The pages are full-color spreads and there’s nothing dark, gloomy, or scary. Schindler’s use of watercolor, and gouache make for bright, colorful, pleasing pictures. The only tiny complaint I have is that after dinner, the children go trick-or-treating alone. I wish the artist painted in an adult as not to put ideas in kid’s minds that it’s okay to wander in the dark alone. This story appears to take place in rural America, where there are only 3 houses in the neighborhood, so it’s not a big city, but it still bothers me.
The Runaway Pumpkin is a quick read that takes about 3-minutes from cover to cover. The book doesn’t offer an age recommendation, but I think 3 to 7 years are the optimal ages. William’s five, and he requests it several times throughout the day, so I know he loves it as much as I do. Adults will like reading this book for the fantastic illustrations, and humor.
ISBN: 0-439-43974-4
Orchard Books (An imprint of Scholastic, Inc.) 2003
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