PUMPKIN TOWN!

Some randomly tossed seeds spawn a village all covered in orange and green. Jose and his four brothers and his dad grow pumpkins for a living, of all sizes and shapes, from the wee Jack-Be-Littles that can be dropped in your pocket to the Big Moons, too big for even all five brothers to roll. At reaping time, they save the good seeds to plant again, and father tells them to sell the rest. Instead, the brothers take them to a field overlooking the town and toss them; a big wind does the rest. The following spring, the town is engulfed in curlicue vines and big orange fruit. It takes an all-night operation by all five brothers to get rid of the pumpkins. All celebrate with watermelons, and before you know it. . . . Bernasconi’s bright illustrations, collaged original art with found objects, have a nice three-dimensional pop. A fun fable with Halloween overtones. (Picture book. 4-8)