Here’s my selection for Perfect Picture Book Friday:

This is NOT a Pumpkin
Written and Illustrated by Bob Staake (If you get a chance, visit his website and on the left hand sidebar click on the “quick bob” link. It’s a slideshow “about me,” and I enjoyed his description of moving into digital work and his normal style.)
Little Simon, 2007
Suitable for ages: 4-8
Theme/Topic: Similarities, Differences


Opening Spread:
This is NOT a pumpkin.


Brief Synopsis: From back cover: It may be round like a pumpkin and even orange like a pumpkin, but this is NOT a pumpkin! If it’s not a pumpkin, then what is it? Preschoolers and toddlers will love knowing the answers and enjoy the fun, “unexpected” ending!


Resources: Play a game with objects and talk about how they are or are not the same thing. Is it a sock or a sock monkey? Read a copy of Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld (that’s an optical illusion book), as a companion to this one. Draw a pumpkin and create your own Jack-o’-lanterns. Here’s a craft to make a 3-D one that doesn’t look like a pumpkin.


Why I Like This Book: I love the simplicity of the text and the art. It’s a fun book for little ones, because they will be saying, “BUT, it IS a pumpkin!” until the last page.


For more PPBF books, visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s Blog.