The Pumpkin Patch

School Library Journal

Color photographs of pumpkins at all stages of growth, of farmers planting them, and of children enjoying them are the strength of this beautiful book. King's sharp, well-framed and well-composed photos are sure to captivate pumpkin lovers of all ages. Her prose is clear, concise, and informative. At times, the words serve primarily as captions for the pictures, which are the main focus. Because it so clearly shows the plant growth cycle and relates to a popular holiday, this book is certain to be in demand by primary-grade teachers. Unfortunately, the pictures show a world in which mostly blonde, white children frolic in the pumpkin patch while the only dark-skinned persons shown are laboring in the fields. One wonders if this is a social statement or merely a reflection of the status quo where these photographs were taken (the San Fernando Valley) . A book for a younger audience than Hannah Johnson's more informative but less attractive From Seed to Jack-O'-Lantern (Lothrop, 1974; o.p.). --Louise L. Sherman, Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, NJ