A pumpkin mystery!

By megret | September 30, 2009 at 1:56 pm | 41 comments | Books & Reading, For the Kids

“All-things-fall” is our motto right now when it comes to book choices for bedtime (or anytime) reading. When the weather turns cooler, we begin to reach for books all about this, our favorite, season. There are many books that celebrate the beauty and surprises of autumn, one of which I’m excited to share with you today: Mystery Vine: A Pumpkin Surprise by Cathryn Falwell.
vine

The artwork in this book is one of our favorite types: Paper piecing and layering, otherwise known as “paper-cut collage.” Falwell so wonderfully cuts and layers the fall-colored papers to create spectacular scenes on white and blue sky backgrounds.

The text rhymes, lending an element of rhythm and prose as you explore through the tale. Of course, all throughout the book the two main characters, a sister and a brother, watch intently as a “mystery vine” changes as the summer ends and fall begins. What awaits at the end is obvious, but my children were still delighted and gasped at the outcome when the book revealed what the mysterious vine was really creating and working on all that time.

I love it when books can teach concepts (such as seasons changing and seeds growing) while at the same time weaving an enjoyable story with fun characters, complete with tiny details (cute grasshoppers, for one) that little eyes take note of.

You will most certainly want to read and make a part of your home library Mystery Vine: A Pumpkin Surprise! You can purchase this hardcover storybook for $16.99 from these terrific online retailers or wherever your favorite books are sold.

Win it! Would you like a chance to win Mystery Vine: A Pumpkin Surprise? Then just leave a comment below telling me another book by HarperCollinsChildren’s that your children (or you) would love to read! I’ll close the contest next Thursday, October 8th, 2009 at 11pm EST. Sorry; US entries only. Good luck!

CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.

Congratulations to the winner, #27, Stephanie!

41 Comments

  1. Cathryn Falwell (2 years ago)

    I’m delighted that you enjoy MYSTERY VINE! Here is a page we’re making about the book:http://mysteryvine.blogspot.com/
    May I link your page?

  2. Amanda (2 years ago)

    Our boys like Trick or Treat Smell My Feet by Diane DeGroat

  3. Cindi (2 years ago)

    Hello! The Molly Moon Series looks quite
    cute and enjoyable to read. Please count me in. Many thanks…..Cindi

  4. Staci A (2 years ago)

    This sounds like a wonderful fall book! Inch by Inch looks like another great read!

  5. Paige (2 years ago)

    I would like to read Flat Stanley.

  6. grace (2 years ago)

    There are many we’d like to read but this one caught my eye: Our Enduring Spirit By Barack Obama

  7. Donna (2 years ago)

    We would love to read Big Words for Little People.

  8. Kristy (2 years ago)

    Goldilicious is the book we would like to read. I’ve had many friends recommend it to me.

  9. Micki (2 years ago)

    Tess’s Tree is one of our faves!
    Zoe0825@verizon.net

  10. Katrina (2 years ago)

    sloppy joe looks super cute :)

  11. Stephanie Grant (2 years ago)

    I think my little man would also like The Mouse and the Motorcycle

  12. Honey Mommy (2 years ago)

    Goldilicious looks pretty good. We checked out “Pinkalicious” from the library and my son thought it was hilarious!

    honey2mommy(at)gmail(d0t)com

  13. Kristie (2 years ago)

    Sloppy Joe looks like a cute book!

  14. hillary (2 years ago)

    My family LOVES the Amelia Bedelia book. As a teacher, there is a VARIETY of titles and topics that I love by Harper Collins!

  15. Meredith (2 years ago)

    I think we would love Fancy Nancy!

  16. Katherine C. (2 years ago)

    WE love Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse.

  17. jeccica simpson (2 years ago)

    my girls would like Goldilicious or Pinkilicious

  18. Christine Jensen (2 years ago)

    I think my boys would like Dinosaur Time by Peggy Parish

  19. Wehaf (2 years ago)

    We love the Septimus Heap books!

  20. Narita (2 years ago)

    My kids are avid readers and being read to! The would love Dirt on My Shirt. Boys love dirt! LOL

  21. TRACY HEYER (2 years ago)

    Sloppy Joe looks like a funbook. thanks.

  22. Elsie (2 years ago)

    Olu’s Dream seems creative and fun! Very cute illustrations too!

  23. renee (2 years ago)

    We’d like to read Football Champ

  24. Kenny (2 years ago)

    We would love to read Crazy Hair.

  25. Dana (2 years ago)

    The Mouse and the Motorcycle would be a fun read aloud!

  26. jessica o (2 years ago)

    My daughter would enjoy Fancy Nancy’s Tea Party.

  27. Stephanie (2 years ago)

    We’d love to read Flat Stanley

  28. Chrys (2 years ago)

    My oldest son loves Amelia Bedilia! I always enjoyed the Ramona books! :)

  29. pixie13 (2 years ago)

    We actually already own quite a few of the books listed; one we don’t have is Danny and the Dinosaur 50th anniversary edition. I remember that book from when I was a kid & would love to share it with my daughter. Thanks for the great giveaway.

  30. Laureen (2 years ago)

    We’d love to read Tess’s Tree. Thanks!

  31. Kathy K (2 years ago)

    I’d like to read 500 Cats to my neices.

  32. Melissa L - www.sweetbabycakesnmore.com (2 years ago)

    Romana books, i used to love those, i cant wait to read those with my daugther!

  33. francesca (2 years ago)

    charalotes web is one i would like to give to my daughter for christmas

  34. AndreaT (2 years ago)

    I loved Amelia Bedelia when I was little, so can’t wait to share it with my son

  35. lorene \ (2 years ago)

    The Fancy Nancy series looks cute
    harborlad@optonline.net

  36. Sandy M (2 years ago)

    Lily would love the Biscuit
    By Alyssa Satin Capucilli

  37. Michelle M (2 years ago)

    Fancy Nancy is a great book that my daughter would love to read!

  38. Beth (2 years ago)

    Please count me in. Thanks for the chance. We just love Where the Wild Things Are. Can’t wait to see the movie.

  39. Julie (2 years ago)

    Belle Sara-my daughter loves horses

  40. Lori (2 years ago)

    I love where the wild things are, fantastic book, fantastic giveaway!

  41. jodi (2 years ago)

    If you give a mouse a cookie looks like it would be one we would really enjoy!

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