Title: The Pumpkin Blessing
Author: Aleta Spencer
Publisher: Covenant Books
ISBN: 978-1-68526-205-1
Pages: 46
Genre: Christian / Illustrated Children’s Book
Reviewed by: Beth Adams
Hollywood Book Reviews
With the Thanksgiving holiday coming upon us this time of year, The Pumpkin Blessing, by author Aleta Spencer, seems very appropriate to read to children. It has a theme combining faith, love, friendship, and showing the unconditional love of God; trusting in Him for having a plan for everyone and everything. The author conveys her message in an escalating story when the protagonist, Little Pumpkin, growing daily in a field under the summer sun, talks to a Dove about many things, especially discussing the “why” they are here and the reason for their creation.
The voice of the personified pumpkin and dove, along with the other forest animals which weave into the story later on, is done with an abundance of dialog within the text, and highlighted by just the right number of illustrations to imprint the book’s message into the growing minds of children. This shows a finesse in storytelling by Aleta Spencer; a technique she has mastered over her years of enjoying nature and teaching the Bible to youngsters.
As readers are introduced to Little Pumpkin by a conversation with a Dove, it is explained in simplest terms the concept of a creator. Then, in between some exciting adventurous moments; such as other pumpkins in the patch being picked up by customers; the farmer selling the crop to a cannery; and at one point the leaves blowing over Little Pumpkin hiding it from being bought and made into a pie or jack-o-lantern; readers follow the tribulations of this gift of God as it grows along a vine in a field, unable to move – but still heightened in awareness of its own existence.
Along the way the author has scribed a dozen beautiful, poetic prayer verses, particularly focused on the events of the story, each praising Him in His wisdom and love. Jesus is brought into the story by name as being the son of God and dying for us on the cross. What is the ultimate fate of Little Pumpkin? Well, readers will have to see the illustration on the last page of this book to find out – but I will say it is a surprise ending and certainly worth the read!
Intensely memorable, inspirational, creative and lovely in its written voice, The Pumpkin Blessing by Aleta Spencer is a book which should adorn the bookshelves of all families with little children. It certainly has the elements to become an “heirloom” story to be passed down the generations, and although best to be read in the Autumn, let’s keep in mind Thanksgiving comes around every year.