Pick a Pumpkin

The creators of Pick a Pine Tree are back with a joyful, energetic celebration of a Halloween tradition.

Pick a pumpkin from the patch. Tall and lean or short and fat. Vivid orange, ghostly white, or speckled green, might be just right.

Pairing a wonderfully rhythmic read-aloud text with expressive retro illustrations, author Patricia Toht and illustrator Jarvis capture all the excitement and familial feeling of a favorite holiday tradition. Readers will be happy to follow along with each step, from picking out the perfect specimen at the pumpkin patch (be sure to stop for cider and toffee apples) to carting it home, scooping out the insides, carving a scary face, and finally lighting a candle inside — savoring the familiar ritual of transforming an ordinary pumpkin into a one-of-a-kind glowing jack-o’-lantern.

Patricia Toht is the author of Pick a Pine Tree and many other children's books. She once owned a children’s bookshop called Never Never Land before turning a love of books into a love of writing. Patricia Toht lives in Chicago.

Jarvis is the illustrator of Pick a Pine Tree. He is also an animator who has worked as both a record jacket designer and an animation director. The author-illustrator of Alan’s Big, Scary Teeth; Mrs. Mole, I'm Home!; and Tropical Jerry, Jarvis lives in Manchester, England.