In the fall, pumpkins are everywhere – in the garden, in the supermarkets, and on doorsteps. But did you know how they grow from a tiny yellow seed to a big orange pumpkin?

discusses the process of a seed turning into a pumpkin, the vines they grow, the flowers they made, and how their seeds move
1 book

I really like this book! I have actually used it in a few lessons/lesson plans in the past. I like how it is informational, interesting and accurate! Wendy Pfeffer does a great job of taking reading through the entire lifecycle of a pumpkin. The book is written in a way that even young children will be able to comprehend and remember the steps of the lifecycle of a pumpkin. I also like how James Graham Hale included accurate illustrations of each step of the life cycle. ( )

Genre:Informational
Media:Crayons, oil
Critique: This is a really fun and ( )

"From Seed to Pumpkin", written by Wendy Pfeffer and illustrated by James Graham Hale, is a great informational text for young readers! The author incorporates literary tools, such as word choice and organization to make the central theme, learning about the life cycle of a pumpkin, interesting and fun!
This picture book begins with a vivid illustration of spring with text telling readers what time of year a farmer plants seeds for growing pumpkins. The language used in this book allows young readers to follow along easily and grasp the information presented. On each page, an illustration with text is provided. The amount of text on each page is minimal, which gives readers an opportunity to pace their reading and really understand the life cycle of a pumpkin. Although life cycles of plants are usually described in complex scientific terms, the author manages to use kid appropriate language so the readers do not get confused. This strategy keeps the young readers engaged in the book and gives them confidence and motivation to learn.
Another way the author conveyed the theme was through organization and plot. The book is organized in a sequential manner. It begins in spring, when the pumpkin seeds are planted and continues through to autumn, when a pumpkins life cycle is complete. In order to convey this message and keep the attention of young readers, the author presented the information in an easy to follow way, while the illustrator provided images in an aesthetically pleasing manner. Rather than presenting the reader with flat-out information about a pumpkins life cycle, the author turned the text into a story appropriate for children.
In order to keep this information at the level of the readers, the book provided many examples and comparisons to help the reader understand more difficult aspects of the life cycle. For example, when explaining how a plant receives water, the author compared this process with the way juice goes up a straw. Also, to provide further explanation of how plants drink water, the author provides a detailed, step-by-step science experiment that can be done at home to model this process. This method used throughout the book allows the readers to relate the information to their life experiences and observations, which provides them with more opportunities to successfully comprehend the information given.
I found this to be a great book overall that allows readers to learn the central theme of the life cycle of a pumpkin in an engaging and interesting way. The illustrator’s use of colorful, vivid pictures and young children characters grasps the reader’s attention and engages them in the informational story. The authors use of simplified language, scientific comparisons and explanations, organization, and amount of content included gives the reader optimal opportunities to successfully comprehend the author’s message of the life cycle of a pumpkin. ( )