Big Pumpkin

Once there was a witch who longed for pumpkin pie. Unfortunately, the pumpkin she had grown from a seed became so big she simply couldn't get it off the vine. Although "she pulled and she tugged and she pulled...that pumpkin just sat."Along came a ghost. "I am bigger than you and stronger, too," said he. "Let me try."Well, the witch wanted that whole pumpkin for herself. But she needed help -- Halloween was just hours away...With the rhythm and repetition that children love, Erica Silverman tells a rollicking story about a witch who, through her encounter with a ghost and other spooky creatures, discovers both the value of cooperating and the joy of sharing. S.D. Schindler brings this captivating crew to life in spirited paintings that are as warm as they are funny.

Erica Silverman is the author of two other books for children. Her first was Warm in Winter, illustrated by Michael J. Deraney. Booklist referred to it as "an affectionate tale of a friendship," and Kirkus called it "just right for the picture-book hour." Her second book, On Grandma's Roof, illustrated by Deborah Kogan Ray, was hailed by the Horn Book: "Quiet, gentle, tender, this picture story book transforms a commonplace occurrence into a transcendent experience through a superb blending of text and illustrations." A teacher of English as a second language, the author lives in Los Angeles, California.