Review: Rotten Pumpkin: A Rotten Tale in 15 Voices by David M. Schwartz; Photography by Dwight Kuhn

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

Compost won't mean the same thing after readers have seen the amazing transformation of Jack from grinning pumpkin to mold-mottled wreckage to hopeful green shoot. The story of decomposition is vividly told so that science comes to life (and death). Part story, part science, and a whole lot of fun. Features a teacher guide in the back of the book, and additional material (including instructions on how to put on a Rotten Pumpkin play in your school) are on the Creston and Author websites.

MY TAKE:
What happens to jack-o-lanterns after Halloween?

In Rotten Pumpkin: A Rotten Tale in 15 Voices, we get to see what happens to a pumpkin as it slowly decomposes. The story is told through dialogue from the creatures that help the pumpkin go back to the earth.

I found this book a little strange at first. Based on the first couple of pages, I thought that the book would be told in rhymes or in verses with an internal rhyme of some sort. However, a lot of the dialogue for the creatures were more prose than poem.

Other than that, the book was quite educational and kids who want to learn more about the process and the creatures that invade a rotting fruit or vegetable will find this book interesting enough, especially with the pictures that clearly illustrate the breakdown of the pumpkin matter.

Thanks to NetGalley and JKSCommunications for the e-copy.

THE GOOD:

1. The book is informative.
2. The pictures that accompany the book make it easier to see the process happen to one pumpkin.
3. Kids can learn just by looking at the pictures.

THE BAD:

1. It's not consistently prose or poetry.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

Naturally, I'd rather not share my food with other molds or bacteria.

READ IT IF:

1. Your child wants to learn more about rotting fruits and vegetables.
2. Your child likes science.
3. Your child learns better with pictures.

RATING:


SOUNDS INTERESTING?