Little Brother Pumpkin Head by Lucia Panzieri

Abstract

Reviewed by: Little Brother Pumpkin Head by Lucia Panzieri Deborah Stevenson, Editor Panzieri, Lucia Little Brother Pumpkin Head; tr. from the Italian by Grace Maccarone; illus. by Samantha Enria. Holiday House, 2016 [24p] Trade ed. ISBN 978-0-8234-3537-1 $16.95 E-book ed. ISBN 978-0-8234-3726-9 $16.95 R* 5-7 yrs The narrator has a little brother coming, and his mother has started to eat everything pumpkin (“pumpkin soup, pumpkin dumplings, pumpkin ravioli and pumpkin pie”). Our hero is delighted with the notion that his little brother will have pumpkin-influenced red hair and freckles, but he worries that maybe there will be nothing in Pumpkin Head’s head but pumpkin seeds and pulp, so he devotes himself to educating his brother: “I had to fill my brother’s head with the names of plants and animals and important people.” Fortunately, his little brother is born with “a proper head,” and the satisfied narrator takes pride in his achievement as well as joy in his new little brother. A pleasant change from stories of early sibling [End Page 143] rivalry, this Italian import is an absurd and endearing tale that’s less about plot and more about the months spent anticipating a new addition to the family. The narration is funny in its sweet and authentic earnestness, and the book enhances the story with telling details and genuine tenderness. The digital full-bleed art has the saturation and texturing of acrylics, and the round eyes, spherical heads, and rubbery limbs of the figures suggest European cartooning. The palette tones down the frequent orange with cool pale blues, but the creative perspectives and amusing elements ensure that the visuals remain energetic. Celebrate affectionate older sibs with this warm and tasty tale. Copyright © 2016 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois