Once upon a time, in a small village, there lived a poor farmer named Jack. He struggled to make ends meet and often wished for a way to improve his life. One day, while Jack was walking through the fields, he came across a pumpkin that seemed to be glowing. Intrigued, he picked it up and noticed that it was remarkably heavy. As Jack carried the pumpkin home, he couldn't help but wonder about its strange appearance. Little did he know that this pumpkin was no ordinary one.

The magic pumpkin

T he bus parked at the farm. There was an enormous pile of orange pumpkins beside a wagon and tractor. Everyone rushed for the wagon. Kevin and Katie sat in the front as it headed out. They watched the huge wheels of the tractor bump slowly over ruts in the dirt path. More bouncing! Then the tractor stopped.

O n either side long rows of pumpkins lay in the dust, each in its own tangle of vines. They were all different sizes and shades of orange, with light brown patches. The driver said the ones with stalks lasted longer. Kevin and Katie ran down the same dusty row. Kevin worried when bigger kids ran past and grabbed the best pumpkins. Soon Katie said she didn't care anyway and picked up the next one on the ground. Kevin kept looking.

T ime was up and Kevin was still empty handed. He ran faster. Then he saw one the others had missed. It was small and a clear orange in color, with a little brown mark shaped like a star. It was perfect. Kevin pulled it off its vines, held the prickly stem carefully and ran back to the bus. Katie said it was ugly and they quarreled.

T hat night Kevin's father cut open the pumpkin, scooped out its insides and carved it. The pumpkin grinned at them - a lopsided, mischievous kind of a grin. Kevin cut a star shaped nose with his dad's help, and saved the piece. He put the pumpkin on his bedside table and tucked the little star under his pillow.

H e fell asleep and dreamed that he was back in the Pumpkin Patch. His pumpkin had long vine legs and arms, and called itself Jack-O. Jack-O told Kevin that he could have one wish, anything at all. Kevin badly wanted a new video game. The kids at school were all talking about it.

A ll the next day, Kevin imagined playing the game. He wanted to tell Katie on the bus home, but she was cross and wouldn't talk. She seemed sad as well as grumpy. So Kevin asked his mother and father at supper time about Katie's dad in hospital. Their worried faces answered him.

I t was hard to get to sleep that night. When he did, with the little star under his pillow, Kevin found himself back in the Pumpkin Patch. It was a stormy Fall day with leaves flying everywhere, red and orange and brown. The wind blew so hard that Jack-O bobbed in the air, vines waving and getting in tangles.

I t was time for the wish. Kevin opened his mouth to ask for his game. But as the storm tossed leaves around him, he saw his friend's face and the words spilled out 'Make Katie's dad better'. Jack-O's orange face split in an enormous grin. He danced in the air while he told Kevin how to pass on the magic. Then he disappeared in a burst of orange fireworks, full of little sparkling stars.

K atie wasn't at school the next morning. Was Jack-O only a dream? But she arrived late, smiling and all was well - her father was coming home on the week-end. After school, Katie and Kevin played in the park. The pumpkin star was grubby and shrivelled in Kevin's pocket and the wind swished leaves gently along the ground. Kevin and Katie tossed them at each other, kicked them into piles and jumped in.

T hen Kevin took out the little star and threw it high in the air. A gust of wind picked it up. Away it spiralled, higher and higher in the sky. He watched until it was only a little orange point and then even that disappeared. Katie asked what he was doing. Oh nothing, just pumpkin magic, replied Kevin with a secret smile.

I've always been a bit puzzled about the popularity of The Magic Pumpkin - which often has 25,000 Fall visitors - since it's a simple seasonal story. But I've concluded that there's still an interest in old-fashioned values and in reading about a child who is tempted, makes the right choice to help his friend . yet does it without fanfare, and for his or her own satisfaction.

The Magic Pumpkin is now available as a picture book illustrated by Lynne Adams (softcover or e-book). If you like the story, you can order your own copy at Lulu.com.

The Magic Pumpkin

Owen is five and a half, and his brother, Oliver, just turned three. They live in a magical land where the four seasons each have their own space. Winterland is always full of snow; Autumnland has beautiful leaves that never stop falling. Springland has endless blossoms, and Summerland, full of exciting plants and rolling green hills, has their cave. This cave, made of glowing rock, protects the children from the only danger in this land – shadow eyes. During the day, the boys fly around on their magic pumpkin, playing in all the lands. Each night, the pumpkin returns them to the safety of their cave. While they do miss Mommy and Daddy, this life is mostly perfect, until they are attacked by vicious beasts.

Right after the horrifying attack, Palus pauses the action to explain how Owen and Oliver came to be in this magical land and why they can never leave. Their first few days of exploring are action-packed and emotionally intense. The story of these days neatly explains things mentioned in the first part, such as why the docile, grazing creatures are called cow-pies and why the boys are so afraid of the shadow eyes (which are one of the scariest monsters that I have ever encountered in fiction). Also, knowing that the boys are currently in peril brings a poignant sadness to the middle section that nicely mirrors their tragic backstory.

Palus writes about the children protagonists in such a way that their innocence and naïveté is part of the story. The joy of childhood and the unutterable sadness of its end come to vivid life as the story follows both the physical and psychological journeys of these children. Palus’s prose is beautiful, as are the striking descriptions of the boys’ newfound home.

Though it does take awhile to get going, The Magic Pumpkin is a lovely tale of growing up and of the love that these two brothers share. Read this one with an open imagination and a box of tissues.

The Magic Pumpkin

"A deceptively simple text with a lyrical rhythm describes a pear-shaped pumpkin growing in a garden, who unexpectedly whispers that he’ll protect the yard from the ‘foolies.’ Lee’s fragile watercolors cast an appropriately haunting aura to the strange proceedings." -- Publishers Weekly

Genres HalloweenPicture BooksChildrensFictionHoliday

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 15, 1989

About the author

Bill Martin Jr.

Bill Martin, Jr. (1916-2004) was an elementary-school principal, teacher, writer, and poet. His more than 300 books, among them the bestselling classics Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See ; Polar Bear Polar Bear What Do You Hear ; Panda Bear Panda Bear What Do You See ; and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom , are a testament to his ability to speak directly to children. Martin held a doctoral degree in early childhood education. Born in Kansas, he worked as an elementary-school principal in Chicago before moving to New York City, where he worked in publishing, developing innovative reading programs for schools. After several years, he devoted himself full-time to writing his children's books. He lived in New York until 1993, when he moved to Texas. He lived in the east Texas woods, near the town of Commerce, until he passed away in 2004.

Little did he know that this pumpkin was no ordinary one. It was a magical pumpkin that had the power to grant one wish to whoever possessed it. When Jack arrived home, he placed the pumpkin on his kitchen table and pondered over what he should wish for.

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Community Reviews

The narrator of this poetic picture book selects the perfect pumpkin guardian for his yard on Halloween night, carving it into a jack-o-lantern and setting it out. Unbeknownst to him however, this particular pumpkin is magic—the leader of the foolies against which he is meant to be guarding. It falls to the narrator to then plunge the jack-o-lantern into darkness by snuffing out his candle, thereby putting an end to the spell.

Although quite familiar with co-authors Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault—the pair also co-authored the classic Chicka Chicka Boom Boom , and Martin collaborated with Eric Carle on Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? and sequels—The Magic Pumpkin is the first of their books that I have actually picked up and read. I thought I would thoroughly enjoy it, given the authors' reputation, the cover image, and the Halloween theme, but instead I found myself mostly indifferent. The poetic text felt a little awkward in its structure, the story didn't speak to me, and I found the accompanying artwork from illustrator Robert J. Lee uninspiring. I did like the brief appearance of the two foxes, who "came out of the wood like hooded witches," but other than that, this is one I can take or leave. If half stars were available, I'd give it a rating of 2.5 stars, but as they're not, I've rounded up in honor of the season. That said, while I'm glad to have finally picked it up, as I've been curious about it for a few years, I don't strongly recommend it.

After several days of thinking, Jack came to a decision. He wished for an abundant harvest that would end his struggles and bring prosperity to his farm. The next morning, Jack woke up to a wonderful sight. His fields were filled with the most bountiful harvest he had ever seen. His crops were healthy and his animals were thriving. Overjoyed, Jack couldn't believe his luck. He thanked the magic pumpkin for granting his wish and vowed to use the newfound abundance to help others in need. With his surplus crops, he was able to donate to the local orphanage and support his neighbors in their times of need. Word of Jack's amazing harvest spread throughout the village, and people came from far and wide to witness the marvel. The magic pumpkin became a symbol of hope, reminding everyone that dreams do come true and that goodness and generosity can be rewarded. Years passed, and Jack always kept the magic pumpkin close to his heart, as a constant reminder of the power of belief and the importance of helping others. He became the most prosperous farmer in the village, not only in terms of material wealth but also in terms of love and respect from his community. In the end, it wasn't the pumpkin itself that was magical, but the desires and dreams it inspired in Jack. The magic pumpkin became a symbol of hope and a catalyst for change, showing that with the right mindset and actions, one can transform their life and the lives of others. So, the next time you see a pumpkin, remember the tale of Jack and his magical pumpkin. Believe in the power of your dreams and strive to make a positive impact on the world around you. Who knows, maybe even your own pumpkin will turn out to be magical..

Reviews for "The Magic Pumpkin: A Gift from Mother Nature"

1. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "The magic pumpkin". The characters were flat and uninteresting, and the plot felt predictable and unoriginal. The writing style was also lacking, with awkward dialogue and overly descriptive passages. Overall, I found the book to be a boring and uninspiring read.

2. John - 2/5 stars - "The magic pumpkin" had potential, but it fell short for me. The concept of a magical pumpkin sounded intriguing, but the execution was lackluster. The story lacked depth and failed to engage my interest. Additionally, I found the pacing to be off, with moments that dragged on and others that felt rushed. Overall, I was disappointed with this book.

3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I was underwhelmed by "The magic pumpkin". The characters were poorly developed and lacked believability. The plot was thin and failed to captivate me. I also found the ending to be unsatisfying and predictable. Overall, this book didn't leave a lasting impression and I wouldn't recommend it.

4. Michael - 1/5 stars - "The magic pumpkin" was a complete letdown. The story felt overly cliché, and the characters were one-dimensional. The writing style was also weak, with repetitive phrases and a lack of descriptive imagery. I struggled to stay engaged with the dull and unoriginal plot. Overall, this book was a waste of time for me.

5. Lauren - 2/5 stars - I wasn't impressed with "The magic pumpkin". The story lacked originality and failed to offer anything new or exciting. The characters felt wooden and lacked depth. The pacing was also off, with moments that dragged on and others that seemed rushed. Overall, this book didn't meet my expectations and left me feeling disappointed.

Exploring the Healing Properties of the Magic Pumpkin