Pumpkin Fiesta

Rating:
Summary: A Great Book
Review: As a children's librarian, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I'm sure children will be entralled by the story's humor and suspense and also by the illustrations vivid hues, which transport readers to a village in San Miguel. This book will be especially coveted in the fall when teachers and families enjoy pumpkin-themed books, but it is rollicking tale, worthy of reading all year long.

Rating:
Summary: Terrific story with a wonderful moral.
Review: Caryn Yacowitz has produced a winner. Pumpkin Fiesta is the charming tale of Old Juana, whose devotion to her pumpkin crop has gained her acclaim in her province. Young children learn from the funny exploits of Foolish Fernando, Old Juana's bumbling imitator, that empty gesture is not what has meaning and that true success is reached by acting with passion and energy. While paying appropriate homage to the original storyteller, Ms. Yacowitz gives the story her own terrific spin, elegantly juxtaposing English and Spanish. My three year-old was instantly enthralled by this book, and has learned, laughed and been enriched many times over.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful story about gardening and life's lessons
Review: Foolish Fernando dreamed of growing a prize-winning giant pumpkin, but didn't know it takes hard work and simple gardening wisdom. Children will laugh at Fernando's foolishness as he tries to imitate the methods of Old Juana. It will stimulate the gardener in most of us. And children may even want to learn how to grow pumkins! This charming book has wonderfully colored illustrations and even a good recipe for pumpkin soup.

Rating:
Summary: Even I laughed out loud
Review: What a delight... even I laughed out loud near the beginning of the book. My children (avid gardeners) loved this clever little book.