Nancy Churnin

When Lila and her family emigrate from Ireland to the United States in the 19th century, driven out of their homeland by an Gorta Mór—the Great Famine—she and her younger siblings wonder whether Jack, the spirit said to haunt the streets on Halloween night, using a carved turnip lantern as a guide, will follow them to this new land. Despite assuring her siblings that Jack will indeed be coming to America, Lila discovers that the turnips necessary to make jack-o-lanterns, traditionally carved for Halloween night, are in short supply. Fortunately, in the process of meeting her new friend Julia, Lila discovers pumpkins, and a new tradition is born...

I was excited to learn about Lila and the Jack-o'-Lantern: Halloween Comes to America, as it is the first children's story I have encountered that addresses the historical root of the jack-o-lantern tradition, brought to these shores by Irish immigrants. Author Nancy Churnin appears to be exploring the origins of various holiday traditions in her picture books recently, highlighting how Christmas trees came to the English-speaking world in her 2018 The Queen and the First Christmas Tree: Queen Charlotte's Gift to England, and how Valentines Day cards came to be sent in the states, in Valentines for All: Esther Howland Captures America's Heart, published earlier this year. I found her narrative here engaging, although not as poignant as expected, given that this was an immigrant story. That said, I did find it very interesting, and appreciated the inclusion of the historical note at the rear, with the recipes for colcannon and barmbrack (other Halloween traditions!). The accompanying artwork from illustrator Anneli Bray, although not a stand-out in my opinion, was nevertheless cute. Recommended to picture book readers and audiences looking for Halloween stories with a historical setting, or to anyone seeking children's stories about the origin of the jack-o-lantern, and how it came to America.… (more)