Pumpkinhead

I love this book!! Its one of my favorites! I love the woodcut style of the book and I think the story is hilarious. I highly recommend it!

There is a child with an obvious physical problem. He has no self pity and he has the full support of his family (who may have more pressing issues with which to deal). Bad things happen to the protagonist as a result of his physical problem. The bad episodes are related without sentimentality. Eventually, he makes it to the safety of his family. His physical problem is not resolved and the world is still a dangerous place at the end of the story. Is this a good outlook for children? You decide.

Eric Rohm's Pumpkinhead is a treasure on many levels. The layout, with the diecut front is unique, the artwork is simple, yet compelling. But, most importantly, the story of Pumpkinhead itself is a treasure. Of the many "halloween-themed" books I read with my five year old daughter, this is by clearly both of our favorite. Dry, ironic wit makes my daughter laugh out loud. Read aloud, the book creates a melody that any child would enjoy. Though the story would seem absurd, my daughter does not view it that way, and asks probing questions. This is a small book that offers moments of enjoyment to children and adults, much in the way that Art Spiegelman's "Open Me... I'm a Dog" or Hayde Ardalan's "Milton" does. Read it and learn the story of Otho, because life will always be difficult for a boy with a pumpkin for a head...

I love this book. I love the friendly size of it, the bold illustrations, the generous white space, and most of all, the daring story, which has a nicely twisted sensibility but a warm, embracing heart all the same. It's the tale of a boy who has the misfortune of being born with a pumpkin for a head. His parents accept this odd development without fuss or concern, as does their son Otho, who journeys through life with gratifying good humor and a notable lack of self-consciousness or self-pity. When a hungry bat swoops down and makes off with his head, Otho endures some nerve-wracking escapades. He ends up in the net of a puzzled fisherman and then on sale with other exotic fish in an outdoor market, where his mother joyfully catches sight of him. As Rohmann puts it, "And then, after some spirited dickering, she bought Otho's head and a half-pound of mackerel." To me, this line perfectly captures the story's charm: its strange but wonderful humor, its brisk, no-nonsense approach to troubling situations, and its lovely confidence that everything will turn out fine... not perfect, mind you, but fine, even for a boy with a pumpkin for a head.

Pumpkinhead by Eric Rohmann is completely different from any children's book I've ever read. It's quirky, it's laugh-out-loud funny, and... well... it's a little dark and edgy. It's a tonic for all parents tired of reading those sugar-sweet children's books to their kids. This one will entertain both parents and children alike -- a rollicking adventure for the kids, and some delightful humor for mom and dad. To make things better, this is a beautifully designed book -- small, square, exquisite woodcuts. This is the best picture book I've read all year.