The Pumpkin Patch

I got this book years ago when teaching first grade. It has proven to be a classic with my students, their parents, and anyone willing to grow a pumpkin seed. The text is straightforward, detailing the stages of growth, as well as how a pumpkin is used with the general public (i.e. at the pumpkin patch for purchase, the tactile adventure of choosing a pumpkin, and the fact that a farmer has worked all year to grow this piece of produce). The photographs remind the reader that this is real. Some people can only read about a pumpkin patch, while others get to enjoy the actual experience. I have used this book every year with my students to introduce them to the idea of pumpkin patches, but since we don't have any near us, we plant our own seeds in the classroom and watch these plants grow. The fascination that one day this little seed will be a jack-o-lantern is too much to watch. It's great fun and allows wonderful conversations at home and at school.

My son is planning his own pumpkin patch as a result of reading this book. He is only 5, but in love with holidays and Halloween. He wants to carve 5 jack o'lanterns. He knows that we plant the pumpkins in July. He even knows the name of the author and photographer. This is a great learning tool for us.

I purchased The Pumpkin Patch a number of years ago and it is still one of my favorite fall books. The text is direct, going through the stages of pumpkin growth; from seed to harvest, for sale at the Pumpkin Patch, and carving into a jack o'lantern. The large, colorful photographs are a clear asset to the instructional value of the text. I now use this book every fall with primary (K through 3rd grade) students as we learn about pumpkins in the days before our own Pumpkin Patch field trip. It allows us to talk about sequencing (what happens first, next, etc.), how fruits grow from flowers, and the different varieties of pumpkins. The Pumpkin Patch is very educational for children (and adults!) old enough to understand the text and how the sequence of photographs relate to each other.

Who knew that our two year old would become so obsessed with this book, but after multiple library renewals we ended up having to buy it. A book that can work at multiple age levels. The text and growth concepts are too advanced for a two year old, but the pictures are large, clear, colorful, and varied. He claps when we get to the baby pumpkins appearing under the flower. Good pictures to depict concepts such as big, small, smooth, bumpy, as well as many farm scenes. His favorite of the pumpkin books we have brought home.

My 3 1/2 year old son loves this book. It has some great pictures of the different stages of growth on a pumpkin plant. Also featured are pictures of different types of pumpkins and squash. The story is educational and informative, but simple enough for small children.