Lulu teaches Grandma how to be a better storyteller in this sly, tenderhearted picture book about learning from each other through humor, imagination, and conversation. Perfect for young readers ages 4-8.
Everyone’s grandma is good at telling stories…except for Lulu’s, that is. So Lulu decides to step in and help! Lulu’s method is asking questions. So when Grandma tells what seems like a mundane story of an ugly pumpkin sitting in a field, Lulu asks: “Why was the pumpkin ugly?” Grandma’s answer sparks Lulu’s imagination, and she tells Grandma: “That’s not ugly! It’s unusual!” And the two are off on a storytelling adventure! With a little creativity and improvisation, together Lulu and Grandma spin a full, refreshing narrative about a pumpkin and a fairy godmother–as well as the nature of storytelling itself. With its resonant theme that great stories are the result of genuine curiosity and dialogue, The Very Unusual Pumpkin is bound to become a bedtime staple.
“Singer and Shleifer spin a charismatic story-within-a-story in which collaborative narration yields a pumpkin-led fairy tale. Multimedia illustrations with velvet-textured coloring embrace a black light–like effect for scenes depicting the pumpkin’s arc. The result is a kindhearted chronicle that infuses the pale-skinned duo’s creativity-fueled connection with enchantment.”—Publishers Weekly
"Heartwarming and creative, this story reminds us all that the act of weaving a narrative is a joyous, and communal one!"—Booked in Evanston, IL (Edelweiss)
Marilyn Singer is the winner of the 2015 NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry. Her many children's poetry and picture books include Mirror, Mirror, an ALA Notable Book that also appeared on four major lists of best books of the year; Follow, Follow and Echo, Echo, both NCTE Notable books; and Tallulah's Tutu and its sequels. She lives in Brooklyn, with her husband. Visit her at marilynsinger.net.
View titles by Marilyn Singer
Lulu teaches Grandma how to be a better storyteller in this sly, tenderhearted picture book about learning from each other through humor, imagination, and conversation. Perfect for young readers ages 4-8.
Everyone’s grandma is good at telling stories…except for Lulu’s, that is. So Lulu decides to step in and help! Lulu’s method is asking questions. So when Grandma tells what seems like a mundane story of an ugly pumpkin sitting in a field, Lulu asks: “Why was the pumpkin ugly?” Grandma’s answer sparks Lulu’s imagination, and she tells Grandma: “That’s not ugly! It’s unusual!” And the two are off on a storytelling adventure! With a little creativity and improvisation, together Lulu and Grandma spin a full, refreshing narrative about a pumpkin and a fairy godmother–as well as the nature of storytelling itself. With its resonant theme that great stories are the result of genuine curiosity and dialogue, The Very Unusual Pumpkin is bound to become a bedtime staple.
Reviews
“Singer and Shleifer spin a charismatic story-within-a-story in which collaborative narration yields a pumpkin-led fairy tale. Multimedia illustrations with velvet-textured coloring embrace a black light–like effect for scenes depicting the pumpkin’s arc. The result is a kindhearted chronicle that infuses the pale-skinned duo’s creativity-fueled connection with enchantment.”—Publishers Weekly
"Heartwarming and creative, this story reminds us all that the act of weaving a narrative is a joyous, and communal one!"—Booked in Evanston, IL (Edelweiss)
Author
Marilyn Singer is the winner of the 2015 NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry. Her many children's poetry and picture books include Mirror, Mirror, an ALA Notable Book that also appeared on four major lists of best books of the year; Follow, Follow and Echo, Echo, both NCTE Notable books; and Tallulah's Tutu and its sequels. She lives in Brooklyn, with her husband. Visit her at marilynsinger.net.
View titles by Marilyn Singer
