If only Ellie's potentially prize-winning pumpkin would gain 200 more pounds in time for the Rock River Pumpkin Weigh-In, and if only Ellie could lose 20 or so pounds herself, her life might be perfect. Well, at least it would be perfect enough to give her the courage to make friends with Wes - the cute new guy at school. She's well on her way to winning big on all counts when frost and pumpkin thieves begin to attack! The thing is, Ellie has the sass, humor, and smarts to be a winner - whether or not her pumpkin breaks the scales ... if only she would realize it.

Hercules is a first-grade rodent, in a multilayered tale about time, the seasons and the long, impatient wait for a full-grown pumpkin to pick. When the teacher takes Herky to her country home for the summer, he discovers his horticultural side. Especially marvelous is what Herky's accomplishment shows children: animals and plants have lives and life cycles of their own

Facts, history, legend, and growing tips about one of the favorite fruits of fall. In addition to instructions on pumpkin carving (and safety) and seed toasting, the author includes the word for the berry in other languages, a brief list of pumpkin world records, and recommended readings and Web sites.

Explains that pumpkins belong to the squash family, that there are different varieties, and that each has a different purpose. Provides a nice overview of how pumpkins are grown their history and uses. Also includes a few fun activities.

The development of a pumpkin seed into a plant, pumpkin, jack-o-lantern, and, completing the cycle, back to seed again.

After five brothers accidentally spill seeds over a small town, they feel responsible when pumpkins and vines begin to overrun the houses the next year.

The story teaches math and science concepts while modeling kind behavior. The author introduces counting by twos, fives and tens and includes pumpkin facts, e.g., the more lines on the pumpkin, the more seeds it will have.

Accurately depicts germination, pumpkins growing and still green, pumpkins changing colors and uses for pumpkins.

The author documents the life cycle of a pumpkin with close-up, naturalistic photos and clear, simple text. He discusses the wide variety of pumpkin colors and sizes. Basic instructions are included for carving a jack-o-lantern, with adult help suggested. The next year's crop, ensured by the pumpkins and their seeds left to rot in the field, is the focus of the last spread.

Some pumpkins are tall; some pumpkins are squat. Some pumpkins are big; some pumpkins are not. A little girl tells her favorite things about pumpkins, like pumpkin masks, pumpkin seeds and pumpkin pie.