Sunday, October 4, 2009

Review/Giveaway: My Happy Pumpkin

Hi, it's me, Esmé, reviewing my very own book! I am two AND A HALF now! Though I tell everybody I'm three, cuz it's easier to hold up three fingers than two and a half.

Back to the book... My Happy Pumpkin: God's Love Shining Through Me is written by Crystal Bowman and illustrated by Claudine Gevry. It is a colorful board book in a cool pumpkin/sunflower shape! The book is not too long, and it rhymes, so it is easy to sit through the whole thing. Plus, there is a mouse to look for on ALL the pages! It's targeted for ages 2-5. You can get more information at Zonderkidz.

Here's what the publisher has to say about the book: "This book shares with young children the delight of picking out and carving your first pumpkin and compares this experience to God choosing us and shaping us to his delight. Just as the candle we put in a pumpkin glows, so does God's light shine in us."

Here's what I have to say about it:

What is the book about? A pumpkin!
What is the daddy doing? Planting seeds!
What is the mouse doing? Throwing a ball! No, he is eating a pumpkin seed that just happens to look like a miniature football.
Wow, look at all the pumpkins that grew!
I like THAT one. Why? Because! I like THAT one.
What color are the trees? That one is yellow. That one is orange. That one is ...? Brown. That one is green. Why are they different colors? Because it is fall. Do you like the fall? I like Christmas. And I like fall.
Now the pumpkin is carved! What are the eyes? Circles. What is the nose? A triangle. What is the mouth? Happy!
How do you show God you love him? I don't know... Is it by obeying? I don't know...
What is the little boy doing? He is praying to the mouse. No! He is praying to God! The mouse is just sleeping. No! (and so ensues an argument that I won't detail here...)

Mommy's Notes


As you can see, theology remains a constant topic of debate in our house. That's why I'm glad for Zonderkidz books!

We've chosen not to celebrate Halloween at our house. This isn't the forum for a debate on the topic, so I won't go into reasons. But I will say that it's becoming more challenging now that we have a kid. There is nothing inherently wrong with princess costumes, chocolate, candied apples, pumpkins, and scarecrows. (Well, maybe there is something inherently wrong with chocolate, but once again, we won't debate that here...) So how do you enjoy all the fall season has to offer if you're trying to ignore the biggest holiday of the season?

What I love about this book is the way it steers completely clear of Halloween, while bringing beautiful meaning to the carved pumpkin. Here is a portion of the text:

"My pumpkin is happy and I'm happy too.
For God picked me out, and he made me like new...
...I'll try to be good so that others can see
God's love and God's light, shining through me."

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Thanks to Zonderkidz, we've got two extra copies of My Happy Pumpkin to share with you!

To enter to win:

Leave a comment on this post. Make sure I have a way to contact you if you win.

I'll randomly pick a winner on October 13, 2009.

International readers welcome!

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If you'd like to find more book giveaways, be sure to check out our other blog, Winning Readings.

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36 comments:

Ticia said...

I hope I win! I got the other book I won from you, and can't wait to read that.

SarahHub said...

So perfect for this season! Please enter me!

~ Cee ~ said...

This is wonderful. I have a 15mo daughter whom I would love to share this with. Instead of celebrating Halloween, her daycare holds a fall festival and celebrates the changing seasons and giving thanks for the joys that fall brings. Thank you for this giveaway!

ceevegnashville [at] gmail [dot] com

Bende, Zoé or Abigél said...

It looks like a lovely book and living in a country without Halloween, it is nice to see a "seasonal" book without too much of a Halloween theme!

Anonymous said...

happy pumpkin
gjakins@cableone.net

Jennifer said...

A pumpkin book that is also Christian... sounds like a good month to read that! Thanks for the giveaway.

Anonymous said...

i would get this for my little sister::
i think it's great to have a story about autum and not spooky halloween~
=]

panicxduh@yahoo.com

sweetsue said...

This looks like a book my three year old granddaughter would love. She is getting excited about Halloween.
smchester at gmail dot com

Drainefamily said...

What a fun book for fall!

Drainefamily@yahoo.com

Melanie said...

this looks darling! we don't celebrate Halloween either, so I like the alternative book.

melanieinaz2003 at yahoo

Kristi said...

Fall is my favorite season - I love pumpkins, corn stalks, scarecrows, all the colorful gourds and Indian corn! Would love to add this book to our collection.

kherbrand at comcast dot net

Dolphin Girl said...

What a fun book. Please enter me. Thanks yoU! My email is in my profile.

Uncles said...

what a great looking book.

Jennifer said...

This book is absolutely adorable! I know both my girls will love it! Thanks for offering this giveaway!

~ Jennifer
http://thetoyboxyears.blogspot.com

Amanda said...

I would love to win this book. We always read lots of Halloween books at our house.
corley@wildblue.net

Angela said...

My son loves books! I would love to win this for him.

veniceangel@hotmail.com

Amanda said...

Sounds wonderful, would love to win it for my son.

Gidget Girl Reading said...

we love this book! I have it from the library we are featuring it on Totally Tots Once Upon A Book in 2 weeks!

Fingers and Toes Crossed!!!

Danielle said...

I would absolutely love to give this to my son for his 4th birthday on October 26th. I know he would love this! Thank you for the chance!

danielle78@comcast.net

Jill said...

What a wonderful book!! It's great to see something so nice at this time of year instead of all the blood and gore.

tutucuteforme(at)hotmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

This looks really cute. My son would love it.

hafner611{AT}gmail{DOT}com

Jonnie (JB) said...

I know my little man would enjoy this story.
dftrew(at)gmail(dot)com

erma said...

My kids would love this.
erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net

Ms. Anita said...

I love Zonderkidz! Thanks for hosting this!

roseinthemorning [at] gmail [dot] com

Jodi said...

My little one would love this book. Thank you for the chance.

purehrt555(at)Yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

For my niece Hannah!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Looks like a fun book to have!
happeejackee at gmail dot com

Emmy Coffee said...

Sounds like a wonderful book!

wmmahaney said...

I would love to win a copy for either my son or my nieces.

missybeetoo said...

What a sweet book! I'd like to win it for my great-grandchild, who is due to be born in May. Thanks! :)

Andria said...

I would love a chance to win. Thank you

Gloria's Bits and Pieces said...

Looks like a cute book! Thanks for entering me!

kngmckellar@hotmail.com

Dawn Reid said...

This book is absolutely adorable! Thanks
mightynaynay(at)cs.com

Tammy said...

Oh I would love to add this to our church nursery, I am always looking for good Christian board books to add to it! Thanks for the chance!

Erica G said...

Please, count me in. I would love this for my little ones. Thanks!

egreca (at) hotmail {dot} com

cman said...

Please enter me for my kids :)