Big Pumpkin
A cumulative tale where a witch, ghost, vampire, and mummy all try to pull a pumpkin, much like The Enormous Turnip. It features a repetitive refrain that children can quickly learn and recite along with the characters.
Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman is estimated to take about 8.5 minutes to read aloud (685 words, about 2 sentences a page), and it lands best with children aged 3-6.
Check the book on AmazonAffiliate link
- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 8.5 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Word count
- 685Counted words
- Sentences per page
- 2Sentences per page
- Re-read tolerance
- 5/5still good at forty
- Vocabulary level
- 2/5everyday words
- Best for
- Ages 3-6Our editorial fit
Our review
The repetitive, cumulative structure makes this a fantastic choice for a group reading session. By the third character, children are usually reciting the lines themselves, which keeps them highly engaged.
It is a folk-tale style story that emphasizes cooperation. While the cast includes spooky figures, the tone remains lighthearted and the resolution is sweet rather than frightening.
Before you buy it
At nearly 700 words, it might be too long for a two-year-old. Also, the vampire and mummy are polite characters who end up eating pie, keeping the tone from being too scary.
Themes
- Halloween
- witches
- cooperation
- cumulative tale
- pumpkins
Books like Big Pumpkin
Matched by refrain, density, length, and listener—not just the subject.
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anythingabout 9 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Room on the Broomabout 10 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
The Gruffaloabout 8.5 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Creepy Carrots!about 5.5 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
We're Going on a Bear Huntabout 6 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to read Big Pumpkin aloud?
About 8.5 minutes at an unhurried pace, including a standard allowance for page turns, pictures and participation, from a word count of 685. Stopping for a longer conversation on every page will add more time.
What age is Big Pumpkin actually for?
Ages 3-6 in our testing, which is narrower than the publisher's range. With 2 sentences a page and vocabulary at 2 out of 5, it asks for that much attention span and no more.
Does Big Pumpkin survive being read on repeat?
Yes - this is one of the few that is still fine on the fortieth reading, which is why it scores 5 out of 5 with us.
Is Big Pumpkin a good book for a child who will not sit still?
It helps that it has a refrain a child can join in with, and it asks the child questions to answer out loud. Those three features are what keep a wriggling toddler listening, far more than the subject matter does.
Will my child memorise Big Pumpkin?
Probably, and fast. The book leans on a repeated refrain, and at 5 out of 5 for re-read tolerance it survives the nightly repeats that get a book memorised. Expect your child to chant the pattern back before they can actually read.
Can a beginning reader read Big Pumpkin on their own?
It is closer than most picture books. With 2 sentences a page and plain vocabulary (2 out of 5), a confident early reader can attempt it, though it is written to be read aloud first.
What themes does Big Pumpkin cover?
We tag it with Halloween, witches, cooperation, cumulative tale and pumpkins. Those are the threads that actually run through the book, not just the ones on the cover, which is how it earns its place on our themed lists rather than a keyword match.
Lists Big Pumpkin is on
- 50 reviewed booksBooks for 5 Year OldsFind great books for 5 year olds, from favorite picture books to first chapter books. Includes estimated read-aloud times for quick planning.
34 reviewed booksHalloween Books for KidsHalloween books for kids with read-aloud times. We help you decide which are least scary and which are better for sensitive toddlers.
49 reviewed booksBooks for 6 Year OldsTop books for 6 year olds. Includes long picture books, first chapter books, and tips on when they're ready for both.