Horn Book (Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 CST 1992)

A witch is assisted by a ghost, vampire, mummy, and bat when pulling her pumpkin off the vine, after which they all feast cheerfully on pumpkin pie. Fine for Halloween.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2-- A rollicking, amusing Halloween tale. Based on the Russian folktale ``The Turnip,'' it's the cumulative tale of a witch who plants a pumpkin seed in anticipation of a Halloween pie. When the pumpkin grows too large, however, she finds she needs the help of some fitting wanderers: ghost, vampire, mummy, and a little bat. Some nice lessons are learned: the need for help from others, the joy of sharing, and that everyone--no matter what size-- has something to offer. The text is rhythmic and repetitive, making it a surefire success for story hours or read-alouds. Schindler's richly colored illustrations lend humor and give a lively feeling to the characters and plot, helping to make the story nonthreatening for the youngest of readers. The book starts with a large border, and the pictures and the pumpkin grow as large as the page. Rousing good fun for the Halloween season and far beyond. --Elizabeth Hanson, Chicago Pub . Lib .

ALA Booklist (Tue Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 1992)

With pie on her mind, a witch goes to her garden to pick a special pumpkin off the vine. But she's watered and weeded it a bit too well--the gigantic pumpkin won't be budged. A ghost comes along and offers his help, as does a vampire, and a mummy, but all their tugging is to no avail. Then a bat flutters up, and the others laugh, for what can such a little thing do? The bat has an idea, though: they will all pull together. The pumpkin is liberated, and the ghoulies are soon enjoying pie. A take-off on other stories where giant vegetables (notably turnips) are pulled from the ground, this one will have special appeal because of its Halloween theme. Silverman's use of repetition is slightly overdone, but the rhythmic word patterns will still be pleasing to kids. Artwork, heavy both in shape and color, is a good choice for this nighttime adventure. A treat for story hours. (Reviewed Sept. 1, 1992)

Kirkus Reviews

In a nicely cadenced variant on the cumulative tale about a turnip, a witch is vainly trying to tug a pumpkin off its vine in order to bake a pie. A number of other Halloween figures (ghost, vampire, mummy) happen by to help; they sneer at the little bat who suggests that they all pull together, but then take his advice. They share the witch's pie, and afterward she plants one of the pumpkin seeds. In Schindler's deft, colorful illustrations, these familiar figures take a traditional, popular form, just scary enough to be fun. A sure-fire addition to the Halloween shelf. (Picture book. 3-7)"