I- Imagine you could plant a pumpkin patch anywhere in your yard or even your house and it would grow beautifully: Where would you plant the seeds? Why?

R- Can you relate more to Cat, asking the questions and learning, or to Mouse, answering questions and teaching. When and what did you teach a friend? When and what did a friend teach you?

Select a couple of questions and activities to do with your kids or class:į- How does it make you feel when you work together with a friend on a project? Remember to keep this book handy before Halloween as you’ll want to read it again in May to start your pumpkin planting! Inviting You to Become FRIENDS with Pumpkin Cat:įeel, R elate, I magine, E xplore, N avigate, D evelop, S hare Mortimer’s strong continuity, relatable themes, and adorable illustrations make this “how-to” book a “must-have”. Their teamwork makes the how-to method interesting, meaningful and sweet. As a treat for Cat, Mouse carved a cat face in their pumpkin to wish her a “ Happy Halloween!”Īnne Mortimer presents such a creative way to give gardening directions for growing pumpkins, all couched in the growing friendship between Cat and Mouse. By October, their big, orange pumpkins were ready to be picked. Together Cat and Mouse planted the seedlings outside and in a few weeks, “there were lots of big, prickly leaves and big, yellow, papery flowers covered in pollen.” By midsummer, the little fuzzy green pumpkins on each plant brought unwanted visitors: big, black crows.Ĭat asked her usual question, “What now?” and Mouse responded, “We need to make a scarecrow.” So they did. Next, the watering can, and then ten days later, two green leaves came up in each pot! Cat used her claws to put holes in the soil and mouse planted the seeds. Introducing Today’s Featured Friend: Pumpkin CatĪs a team, Cat and Mouse worked together in their little garden. Get out your shovel and dig into this adorable book. Although our plant came by “accident” from the seeds gutting from our pumpkin last fall, Pumpkin Cat, shares a step-by-step plan for how to intentionally grow these treasures. The treasure multiplied, and the process of watching it grow has been delightful. Soon, one sprout became many, and we were certain that it was indeed a much desired pumpkin plant. Our son discovered the first one, and we put a marker next to the tiny, delicate green leaves so we wouldn’t mow over it. No, it came in the form of a small, green sprout. The treasure did not come in a golden box or buried bag.

This summer, to our delight, we found a treasure in our backyard. “Now,” said Mouse, “I am going to make you a surprise!”

Pumpkin Cat by Anne Mortimer