Pumpkins, Pumpkins Everywhere

July 27, 2015
Lest one think that pumpkins are only good for pies and carving, Prasadam-Halls (Don’t Call Me Sweet!) and Alvarez (The Noon Balloon) explore emotions, opposites, and general Halloween fun, as evoked in glowing jack-o’-lantern faces. “Pumpkin happy,/ pumpkin sad,/ pumpkin cheeky,/ pumpkin mad,” begins the author, as Alvarez shows two sisters preparing to go trick-or-treating; the “sad” is triggered when the younger sister sees her older sibling dash off with her other friends, a feeling reflected in the faces of both the girl and the jack’-o-lantern she carries. The sisters soon reconcile, and the story expands to include dozens of costumed children who snag candy, dance, and take part in a parade. Alvarez’s illustrations have the fresh, modern feel of an indie webcomic, creating an inviting backdrop for Prasadam-Halls’s bouncy, gourd-driven rhymes. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Jodie Hodges, United Agents. Illustrator’s agency: Bright Agency.