Too Many Pumpkins

10/6/2020

Linda White

White's one other children's fiction book, Too Many Turkeys, was illustrated by Lloyd and published by Holiday House in 2010 -- a continuation of the partnership which created Too Many Pumpkins. White has written activity books for children including Haunting on Halloween, Trekking on a Trail and Sleeping in a Sack.

White is one of those unusual published children's authors who does not have her own web page, is not found in Wikipedia and does not have readily accessible interviews.

World Relevance

Rebecca Estelle must solve a problem caused by a vegetable she legitimately dislikes. First, she avoids pumpkins whenever possible. Next, Rebecca Estelle hides the problem when pumpkins are accidentally dumped into her yard. When she discovers the pumpkin seeds have sprouted and cannot be eradicated, she chooses to ignore the problem until the situation becomes so dire, Rebecca Estelle must actually find a real solution to the problem.

Does this sound like anyone's child?

Problem solving is a critical element in a child's cognitive development and learning to resolve difficulties or challenges at developmentally appropriate stages increases a child's sense of self-confidence and independence.

"Where did you ever find all these pumpkins?" people asked.

"I came by them quite by accident," Rebecca Estelle said, smiling. "Would you like some pumpkin pie? There's plenty."

She winked at Esmeralda. Everyone enjoyed the pumpkin pie and cider and had a good time. So did Rebecca Estelle. And when they were ready to go home, she made sure each carried a jack-o'-lantern, a bag of seeds for roasting, and a pumpkin treat. Rebecca Estelle gave away everything that reminded her of the pumpkins she had always hated, until ...

Megan Lloyd

Lloyd is the illustrator for over 40 children's books including two reviewed for this month's All Hallows Read list: White's Too Many Pumpkins and Williams' The Little Old Lady Who Wasn't Afraid of Anything. Scenes from her farm and drawings of her farm animals are included in over 35 of the books she's illustrated.

In a 2006 Pennsylvania Center for the Book interview, Lloyd shares what she believes all illustrators should bring to the work: "I try to capture the essence of the story and expand on it, and to add things to the story that may not even be there. A well-written story will inspire ideas and images, and even subplots in my mind—things the author probably didn't intend."

Synopsis

Rebecca Estelle has hated pumpkins ever since her family ate them for every meal for a month when she was a girl. Now, when her hair is white, a giant pumpkin falls off a truck into her front yard. Rebecca Estelle can't even think of picking up the pieces, so she shovels dirt over the whole mess. And forgets about it.

That is exactly what pumpkin seeds need: as little attention as possible. Rebecca Estelle is surprised in the fall to find a sea of pumpkins in her front yard! What will she do with so many pumpkins, when she can’t stand the sight of even one?

Learning Connections

How to Teach Problem Solving Skills to Kids (Ages 3-14), Collins, Big Life Journal
Kindergarten Problem Solving, Kindergarten-Lessons.com
10 Simple Activities to Teach Your Preschooler Problem Solving, Mcilroy, Empowered Parents
How You Can Help Children Solve Problems, Scholastic

Ages/Emerging Readers: 5 - 8 year-olds; Kindergarten - 2nd grade; 32 pages. Rebecca Estelle must get rid of a full crop of pumpkins.

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