September has barely begun and in our area there is already a distinct
crispness to the air. The insects can sense that changes are on their way. The
hummingbirds have begun their yearly migration to warmer areas. It’s definitely
time to prepare for autumn.
With the changes of the seasons at my doorstep, I thought I’d celebrate
this transition with another book review and giveaway. The timing of this
review and giveaway will allow the winner of the giveaway the chance to receive
the treats before the month of tricks is upon us. So, without further delay,
check out this month’s book review and giveaway times TWO!
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| Books available on Amazon.com |
PUMPKIN CIRCLE by George
Levenson & Shmuel Thaler
Where does life begin? How does
life evolve? When does life begin again? These are questions that children and
adults seek answers to. In Pumpkin
Circle by George Levenson and
Shmuel Thaler, the circle of life is showcased through vividly detailed photos
that are punctuated by the well-chosen words that dance across the pages.
The book begins with a cascade of pumpkins tumbling across a two page
spread. The stage has now been set. Interest has been piqued. Immediately
following this introduction, Levenson and Thaler lead the reader on a guided
tour of a pumpkin patch that progresses from the long lazy days of summer to
the crisp and fleeting days of fall. Leaves grow. Blossoms bloom. Pumpkins
swell. Vines fade. Pumpkins are harvested. Yet, that is not the end of the
story. Whether you are a curious child or an inquisitive adult, read this story
to discover how the circle of life begins again.
As an added bonus, Levenson and Shmuel cleverly obscure the
identity of the pumpkin farmer. By doing so, the reader is invited to place
himself in the role of the gardener. So, go ahead— carve into that freshly
harvested pumpkin. But don’t forget to save some of the seeds to start your own
Pumpkin
Circle next spring.
The Details:
Word count: 459 (excluding fact
page at the end of the story)Average words per page: 12
Recommended age range: 4-7
Extra value: breathtaking photography, rich vocabulary, fun subject material.
How Do You Grow a Pumpkin?
This simple sequencing activity is great for children ages 4 through 6.
Simply print the images, cut out the 6 pictures, and conduct a quick lesson on
how a pumpkin grows. For younger children, placing the images in order with a
loosely guided discussion might be the best option. For children in first
grade, creating simple sentences to accompany those images can make this not
only a science lesson, but also a language arts activity, as well.
Have fun ‘growing’ your pumpkin with your little ones.
CHALLENGE: Where do you think this picture fits into the sequencing
activity? There are many answers, provided the explanation is correct. J
Interested in adding this book to your child’s library? Register here for a book giveaway.*
OR...
Like or Share on Facebook (click link)
OR...
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*This giveaway will include a free copy of Pumpkin Circle
(George Levenson & Shmuel Thaler), Pumpkin Jack (Will Hubbell), as well as
another treat. The registration will last from the posting of this blog post
until midnight, September 18, 2013. One winner will be randomly selected from
all entries. The books and treat will be shipped from Amazon within
approximately 2 weeks following the close of the giveaway. The giveaway is open
to residents of the United States with a United State’s mailing address. The
winner’s name will be posted on the blog, unless the winner chooses not to have
his/her name posted.
It is hard to believe it is already time to start preparing for Halloween. I will have to look for these books.
ReplyDeleteI must admit the cool weather in our area prompted me to get a head start with this review and activity. But, that means more time to read autumn-themed books. :-)
ReplyDeleteDeb - I learned something new today about growing pumpkins! I'm seeing fields of what looks like yellow flowers just starting to come out and I never knew what they were growing - now I know - so even a 62 year old can learn something new once in a while.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful premise. I love it. Thanks so much for bringing this book to our attention on the Kid Lit Blog hop.
ReplyDeleteI must admit that I learned a few things about growing pumpkins, as well. Thank you for your interest and good luck everyone!
ReplyDeleteI love books that go to the season, and these sound great. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteI love the fall and I'm so glad we get to turn our attention to some of those fall traditions, like pumpkin carving. Thanks so much for joining us in the Kid Lit Blog Hop. Happy to tweet about your giveaway. :)
ReplyDeleteSince completing the books pictured above, I've added more pumpkin-themed books to the library. Autumn-themed books--you can't stop at one, or two, or three. Well, you get the idea. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments.
Such great books! One is brand new to me - I will be checking it out --- thank you for the recommendation.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sarah. There are so many great book suggestions out there. I'm glad I discovered the blogging world.
ReplyDelete