Pumpki Magic Book is a charming and enchanting children's book that takes young readers on a magical adventure. Written by renowned author, Stephanie Wells, this book tells the story of a young girl named Lily who stumbles upon a mysterious book in her grandmother's attic. The book, which is made from a magical pumpkin, has the power to bring all its stories to life. As Lily opens the book, she is transported to a whole new world filled with talking animals, whimsical characters, and thrilling adventures. Throughout the book, Lily encounters various challenges and learns important life lessons. With each turn of the page, she becomes more confident and brave, using her wit and courage to overcome obstacles and solve riddles.
Charms and spells found in powwow include some of the following:
To stop bleeding, breathe upon the injured person three times, and recite the Lord s Prayer three times, stopping when you get to the words upon the earth. In the early 1800s, a book entitled Pow-Wows or, Long Lost Friend was published by John George Hohman, who had collected a series of charms, folk remedies, spells, and talismans.
With each turn of the page, she becomes more confident and brave, using her wit and courage to overcome obstacles and solve riddles. Along her journey, Lily also befriends fascinating characters who help and guide her on her quest. As the story progresses, readers are captivated by the vivid descriptions and imaginative world-building.
Folk Magic & Myth: Braucherei
Pennsylvania Dutch folk magic combines uses the Christian faith (namely excerpts from the bible) as a means of healing, protecting, and blessing in a wide variety of situations. Although this is a quite common practice seen throughout various forms of Christianity, PA Dutch practices often include superstition and the recitation of a braucherei- or Pow-wow (a term taken from a Native American religious practice). The concept of the Pow-wow is that a practitioner (who can be anyone who knows the skill) recites a blessing to cure various injuries, ranging from burns, bleeding, rashes, infections, and even warts or scars.
For example my own grandma claims to have cured a wart my grandfather had by rubbing a penny over it and reciting the Pow-wow: “God the father, God the son, and God the holy spirit…” Then, the penny had to be thrown away to “take the wart with it.”
From a folkloric perspective, the concept of the Pow-wow is an example of Divination or Evocation types of magic, since those practicing it call upon higher powers to aid and heal injuries. However, the stories of successful Pow-wows serve as folk myths for the PA Dutch communities, since they believe the stories to be true examples of the power of God at work. These stories (or myths) also fulfill Bascom’s function of folklore as a means of validating the beliefs and practices of the PA Dutch community.
Pow-wow heals burn victim:
“Brook Bressler, my mother’s uncle worked at Brookside Colliery located near Pine Grove, Schuylkill Co, PA. A big gas explosion caused Brook to be burned very badly on his face and hands. He was transported to his home in Donaldson where the doctors gave him little chance to live. As he was sleeping or unconscious, John G. Stutzman was called in from Fountain, a small town over the mountain from Donaldson. John G. powwowed for Brook. The next day when Brook woke up he asked, “Was John G. here?” Almost immediately the burned skin formed a hard shell that broke away from his hands and face and new skin began to grow. In a short time, to the amazement of those who saw him being taken from the mine, Brook was on the road to recovery. They could not believe he was alive.” (Savidge)
Pow-wow stops bleeding from afar:
“Gurney Bendigo was a timber man from Hegins, Schuylkill Co, PA. One day while cutting timber in the bush he cut himself with his ax. He bled profusely and the bleeding could not be stopped. Someone said, “Go get John G. Stutzman, he can powwow to stop bleeding.” Someone went for John G. and John said, “I can stop the bleeding from here.” He said “Jesus Christ life blood, stop the pain, stop the bleeding!” Till the messenger got back to Bendigo the bleeding had stopped!” (Savidge)
- Sites at Penn State
Some cure sickness while others counteract hexes. There are Pow-Wow doctors who claim that faith alone is necessary while others claim the words alone will heal a patient. Some patients are not made well after one attempt to heal them by a faith healer. A healer may try six or more times to heal a patient before a cure occurs. If a cure does not occur after a certain amount of time, the Pow-Wow practitioner will stop treatment because the patient apparently lacks faith.
The author skillfully weaves together elements of fantasy, adventure, and mystery to create a captivating narrative that keeps readers eagerly turning the pages. Pumpki Magic Book is not just a tale of adventure, but also a tale of self-discovery and personal growth. Lily learns the value of friendship, the importance of believing in oneself, and the power of imagination. The book emphasizes the idea that anything is possible if you have the courage to dream and the determination to pursue your dreams. The illustrations in Pumpki Magic Book play a crucial role in bringing the story to life. Each page is filled with colorful and detailed images that enhance the reader's understanding of the characters and the world they inhabit. The illustrations perfectly complement the text, immersing readers in the magical world of the book. Overall, Pumpki Magic Book is a delightful and enchanting read that offers a perfect blend of adventure, friendship, and imagination. It is a book that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike, with its timeless themes and engaging storytelling. Stephanie Wells has crafted a truly magical tale that will leave readers spellbound and longing for more..
Reviews for "Unleashing the Hidden Powers of the Pumpkin Magic Book"
1. Sarah - 1 star - I did not enjoy "Pumpki Magic Book" at all. The storyline was confusing and seemed disjointed, with no clear direction. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with any of them. Additionally, the writing style was bland and uninspiring. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointment and would not recommend it to others.
2. John - 2 stars - "Pumpki Magic Book" had an interesting concept, but unfortunately, it failed to deliver a compelling narrative. The pacing was slow, and the plot lacked excitement and suspense. The characters felt underdeveloped, and their actions and motivations often didn't make sense. While the book had potential, it fell flat in its execution, leaving me unsatisfied as a reader.
3. Emma - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Pumpki Magic Book," but it turned out to be a letdown. The writing style was overly descriptive and dragged on, making it challenging to stay engaged. The story itself was predictable, with no real surprises or twists. While the book had a cute premise, it lacked the depth and complexity I was looking for. Overall, I was left feeling bored and unimpressed.
4. Michael - 1 star - "Pumpki Magic Book" was a complete waste of my time. The dialogue was cheesy and unrealistic, and the plot was incredibly cliché. The main character was unlikable and made illogical decisions throughout the story. Additionally, the ending was abrupt and unsatisfying, leaving many loose ends untied. Overall, I found this book to be poorly written and would not recommend it to anyone.