Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Andy Shane and the Pumpkin Trick
Illustrator: Abby Carter
Fiction Series
For ages 5 to 8
Candlewick, 2006 ISBN: 978-0763626051
One day Andy and his granny are out in the pumpkin field trying to choose a pumpkin for Andy’s Halloween jack o’ lantern when Dolores Starbuckle turns up. Andy is not that pleased to see her because he knows that Delores wants him to go to her birthday party in two days time – on Halloween. Poor Andy knows that he is trapped. There is no way he is going to be able to get out of going to this party now.
Even though the party is two whole days away, Delores wants to work on getting things ready now and Andy ends up helping her – reluctantly. While they are working Andy comes up with the idea that they should set a trap for the people who have been smashing all the pumpkins on Delores’ street. Granny gave Delores a new pumpkin and if the children don’t do something to protect it it will surely end up getting smashed as well. Now Andy is happy for he cannot help feeling that catching tricksters will be a lot of fun. Maybe spending time with Delores won’t be that bad after all.
As they read this amusing little chapter book children will find themselves wondering if Delores and Andy are going to be able to foil the tricksters after all. In the end Andy not only has a very special Halloween but he also makes a good friend.
This is a perfect book to share with a young reader on the days leading up to Halloween.
