Pumpkin Moonshine

It's almost Halloween and little Sylvie Ann has found the biggest, fattest pumpkin. But before she can carve it into a giant, crooked-toothed pumpkin moonshine (or jack-o'Iantern), she has to get it home.

While visiting her grandparents' farm, Sylvie Ann finds a fine large pumpkin for Halloween but it leads her a merry chase as it rolls faster and faster down the hill and into the barnyard.

It's almost Halloween and little Sylvie Ann has found the biggest, fattest pumpkin. But before she can carve it into a giant, crooked-toothed pumpkin moonshine (or jack-o'Iantern), she has to get it home.

Children's Literature

In a book reminiscent of Beatrix Potter's art, Tudor relates a very simple story of little Sylvie Ann's hunt for a big fat pumpkin. When she finds the golden treasure, it is too big to carry so she rolls it home. Unfortunately, the pumpkin goes out of control and causes a bit of disruption. Sylvie apologizes to all and, with her Grandpawp's help she creates a really fearsome jack-o-lantern which she calls Pumpkin Moonshine. In this reissue, the pages are bordered in a pale golden orange with the delicate watercolors inset on the left of each spread. The initial letter of the text is decorated like an illuminated manuscript but using only the deeper orange and black. A sweet story that harkens back to days long gone. 2000 (orig. 1938), Simon and Schuster, $12.95. Ages 3 to 9. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot

Tasha Tudor is a Caldecott artist with more than ninety books to her credit. She is known across the world for her glowing watercolor decpictions of the American rural scene of a century ago and for her exquisite paintings of children, flowers, and animals. Tasha Tudor is also the illustrator of A Child's Garden of Verses, The Night Before Christmas, The Springs of Joy, A Time to Keep, The Dolls' Christmas, All for Love, Pumpkin Moonshine, A Tale for Easter, A is for Annabelle, and 1 is One, a Caldecott Honor Book. She lives in Vermont.