The Great Pumpkin Switch (Orchard Paperbacks) - Softcover

Kindergarten-Grade 3-- McDonald's storytelling skill is once again very much in evidence in this sequel to The Potato Man (Orchard, 1991). This time Grampa tells of the time he and his friend Otto accidentally cut the stem of his sister's prized pumpkin, causing ``Big Max'' to tumble down 34 front steps and smash. With some quick thinking and the help of Mr. Angelo, the Potato Man, the boys are able to bring about a happy ending. Although the story is set in the early part of the century, this very realistic tale involves typical childhood dilemmas and will not seem the least bit old-fashioned to today's readers. Lewin's outstanding watercolor paintings add even more flavor and appeal to the well-crafted text. Especially noteworthy is the composition of each illustration and his use of perspective and bold color highlights to define the focal points. This perfect melding of words and pictures is a shining example of the finest in picture book production. --Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

The Potato Man (1991) is featured in a second appealing story as, again, Grampa reminiscences about his small-town 20's childhood. This time, he and friend Otto are busy clearing up a tree felled by a storm when they accidentally cut little sister Rosie's pumpkin vine, causing her prize pumpkin to tumble down the stone steps and smash. Quickly hiding the evidence in a neighbor's pig, they substitute an even bigger pumpkin from Mr. Angelo's cart, ensuring that Rosie wins her prize and paying the potato man, with pennies they've earned together, the next day. Warm, beautifully cadenced storytelling, engaging period details, and Lewin's perceptive characterizations and evocative setting make this another wonderfully immediate summoning up of things past. (Picture book. 4-8) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.