Pumpkin Moonshine

Spending Halloween at her grandparents' farm in Connecticut, Sylvie Ann decides that she wants a 'Pumpkin Moonshine,' AKA a Jack-o-Lantern, and she sets out to find the fattest pumpkin she can. Rolling it back to the farmhouse, she is dismayed when it takes off downhill, leaving all sorts of chaos in its wake. Fortunately for her, Grandpawp is there to help her, once the pumpkin has reached its destination...

Originally published in 1938, in a miniature format, and then reissued in this (slightly) larger edition in 1962, Pumpkin Moonshine is a delightfully sweet little Halloween confection for young picture-book readers and listeners! Still quite small, despite being an enlarged edition, it will fit nicely into little hands, and features show more Tasha Tudor's distinctive artwork, with all of its vintage charm. Recommended to young Halloween lovers, to Tasha Tudor fans, and to any reader who appreciates vintage picture-books. show less

First published in 1938, this little gift-size book has old-fashioned country charm and is a pleasant seasonal tale that some children will like and some may find too dull. People who love the art of Tasha Tudor, as I do, are in for a little treat.

Executed in ink and water colors, Pumpkin Moonshine tells a short little tale of Tudor's niece Sylvie Ann as she goes out to select a big pumpkin for Halloween. Sylvie Ann and her little dog, Wiggy, climb a hill to the cornfield where the pumpkins are growing. They find a big one and start to roll it home as if it were a big snow-ball. As they head back down the hill the pumpkin gets away from them and speeds into the farmyard scaring some goats, chickens, and geese and finally, bumps into show more the hired hand causing him to spill a bucket of whitewash. Finally, Sylvie Ann's grandfather, who you can tell by his style of dress is a New England gentleman farmer, helps her carve the pumpkin into a "Pumpkin Moonshine", otherwise known as a Jack-o-Lantern. They put a candle inside and enjoy the grinning face. Sylvie Ann saves the seeds and plants them in the cornfield in the spring.

The story is a bit on the dull side, folks. Really, really passive little children might like it, but I don't think it will be on anyone's request list. The illustrations save it from being totally boring though and they are the reason I can recommend it. The story is intended for the 4-8 year old group and has very few words in the text, however, it is not an easy reader. It is meant to be read to a child. It has hard words like dreadful, enraged, horrid that this age group is not likely to be able to read.

Born in 1915, Tasha Tudor lives in a bygone world of New England country charm and is deeply attuned with its rhythms and nuances. In her many, many delightful story books she has always faithfully captured this world and shared it. Pumpkin Moonshine upholds that tradition. Little Sylvie Ann is as cute as can be in her bonnet and pinafore and gingham dress. The corn shocks in the field and the autumn leaves blowing about the old fieldstone walls have a feeling of authenticity. The barnyard animals and the little dog faithfully capture Tudor's love for animals that is evident in all of her work. However, unlike some of her later work that is very rich in detail, this book's illustrations are very simple and failed to engage me in the way I have come to expect from this wonderful artist.
That being said, I can still recommend this book, especially to collectors or fans of Tasha Tudor. I like it because it is quaint and pretty. It is a little treat not a bountiful feast. I honestly don't think it will please too many kids. show less

Some beautiful vocabulary words (I love the 'enraged geese') and, of course, utterly delightful art. But awfully syrupy, imo. I think it would succeed as part of a family Halloween party, as children are more receptive to old-fashioned traditions during holidays, but I wouldn't try to bring it out as just a random fall book.

A tiny treasure for Halloween lovers!