The Pumpkin Runner

What a good one on one read this one is...as a matter of fact, it makes a very nice group read too! As noted by the author, this children's book is based on the true story and was inspired by a fellow in Australia, Cliff Young, who at the age of 61 meandered through the famous (infamous race...depending on how you look at it) from Sydney to Melbourne, a total of 542 miles, and actually won; beating all of the younger contenders! Like the hero of the story featured in this book, Cliff shared the $10,000.00 winnings with the other participants of the race. Our book hero, like Cliff, is around 61 years old. This is the story of an old sheep rancher, Joshua Summerhayes and his dog, which goes by the name of Yellow Dog. From a small lad, Joshua ran; he ran everywhere, but for the most part ran after his sheep and back and forth from the family pumpkin patch. He and the great-great-great grandparent of Yellow Dog ran after the sheep, taking care of the flock on into the current times when others used trucks, jeeps, planes, motorcycles and such. No, Joshua and Yellow dog did it my foot and a goodly run, with Joshua wearing only his gumboots as foot wear. Joshua was for the most part fueled by Pumpkins. He simply could not get enough of the wonderful pumpkins his family raised in their own patch. One day, when Joshua, now an old man, and Yellow Dog, no longer a puppy himself, were setting on the porch after a long run over to Bandicoot Creek, Joshua read a flyer advertising the 12 Annual Koalo-K Race. He and Yellow Dog decide to run. What follows is a story of that race; of Joshua and Yellow Dog, of gum boots and slices of pumpkin to keep him going. A story of an older, sort of laid back guy, dressed in overall, gumboots and with a common looking yellow dog, and how they defeated the younger, better conditioned (or so they thought) and much better dressed runners. The discussion between training methods and clothing between the younger runners and the old guy for the Outback is absolutely hilarious. This is a very well told tale. A central theme of pumpkins runs throughout and the author refers to them constantly in a lighthearted way. If you enjoy running, you will love this one. If you are not a runner, you will enjoy it anyway. Kids seem to love this one. It is told in a very "homey" laidback manner, much like the main character of the book. The art work in this book is by Brad Sneed who is one of my favorite. Mr. Sneed has obviously been strongly influenced by Thomas Hart Benton, who happens to be one of my favorite American painters. His illustrations of a previous book, Smoky Mountain Rose by Alan Schroeder hooked me on this artist. This book of course has an extremely strong Australian flavor, as it should have, and the kids will be introduced to some wonderful names and sayings which could only be thought up by an Australian. I like this. It would be extremely difficult to find any fault what-so-ever with this work

My granddaughter told me about this story; her teacher had read it in her classroom. She's not a book lover, so I knew it made an impression on her. Nice tale, great illustrations, perfect for an elementary school classroom--or a read aloud book at home.

Bright colorful pictures and down home language make this picture book a favorite with both younger and older children. Based on a true story, this book has a lesson to teach - persevere with those who are unkind. Stick with your goals. Continue to be kind despite opposition. This picture book is pulled out again and again in our home.

The Pumpkin Runner is a great book for parents to read to their children, especially those parents who are runners. Few are the books that spin a tale about the sports we love. Children need to be exposed to the challenges and rewards of participating in sports. Taken from a true story of ultramarathoner Cliff Young, The Pumpkin Runner has fantastic colors in vivid artwork to hold a child's attention. Adults will smile as Joshua runs the race of his life in a carefree way that shows children of all ages that sometimes we just need to have fun--and the rewards will come.

This story has my six year old pretending to eat slices of pumpkin before he zooms off into the distance! It is a compelling tale of an old bloke who beats the odds by just doing what works for him. What I like best about this story, besides it being based on reality, is that it makes folks think about what elders can do, or indeed what people can accomplish, just by being utterly themselves. It's an updated 'tortoise and the hare' fable, really. Incidentally, I found the laconic, modest character of Joshua to be distinctly Australian, having lived there for four years. It's great!