Since
childhood Halloween has been my favorite time of the year.
Usually not too hot or cold, no restrictive family rituals
to follow and everything was a surprise. Nobody was too young
or old to join in the fun. Hay rides, bonfires, weenie roasts
were the features of late October in our Midwestern farming
community, along with visits to the apple orchard and pumpkin
patch to harvest sweet treats. All it takes is the smell of
wood-smoke and a cold breeze under a warm hat for me to think
fondly of wearing long johns under a princess costume again.
I felt similar things when I looked at the cover of Into
the Pumpkinand was not disappointed with the rest of
the book. It has amazing artwork for a children’s book,
many of which I would love to frame. Sophisticated and nostalgic,
the watercolors are an ideal contrast to the playful and easy-going
verse about party planning and fun! At first I thought it
was an awkward pairing, but then decided that the offset is
what makes the book great for the whole family. Not only are
the images wistfully appealing to all ages (except the creepy
spooky ones! Heh heh heh), but the simple couplets are reminiscent
of Mother Goose and Dr. Seuss and everything
I enjoy about them as well.
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