How to Carve Freakishly Cool Pumpkins

April 1, 2011

Gr 3-7-This unabashedly seasonal series offering covers all the Halloween bases with creative and easily achievable crafts. There is some planning and prep work involved, but nothing more complicated than visiting a thrift shop for old clothes to shred (surfer-bit-by-shark in Costumes) or figuring out when to pour water over dry ice so that it will smoke at the right time ("Witch's Brew" in Decorations). Pictures corresponding to the steps appear on the page opposite the numbered directions, and though they are on the small side, they do an adequate job of driving home the point of the instructions. Additional tips dealing with safety, adding a scarier element, or extending the life of the decorations (petroleum jelly on pumpkin skin prevents it from turning brown) appear with each project. While not as polished as store-bought items, the charming homemade DIY qualities of the finished products will definitely impress party guests and fellow trick-or-treaters.

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.