Called the “Hans Christian Andersen of America” by Newsweek and “a modern equivalent of Aesop” by The New York Times, Jane Yolen is well known as the author of many popular children’s novels including Briar Rose and The Devil’s Arithmetic.
Yet where some writers are content to write for a niche audience, Yolen constantly explores new genres and audiences. Her prolific nature has led her to pen over 290 books for kids and adults that range from exciting fantasy books to poignant historical fiction to thought-provoking science fiction stories.
Now, with the aid of talented artists Susan Mitchell and Vlasta van Kampen, Yolen adds to her growing list of picture books with Pumpkin Baby and Under the Star: A Christmas Counting Story. While intended for a younger audience, like all good picture books, these stories are best experienced as a shared activity between parent and child (or older and younger siblings) and thus provide a great reading experience for all ages.
Pumpkin Baby
Where do babies come from? For the girl in this picture book, the answer takes many different forms as the grownups in her life talk about finding babies in pumpkin patches and cabbage patches – or even having a baby delivered by a stork.
Yet what the girl really wants to know is if she could love a “pumpkin baby,” “cabbage baby,” or “stork baby.” Then one day, she gets to find the answer to that question when her family gets a newborn baby who starts out as a heavy pumpkin baby, grows into a leaf-soft cabbage baby, and later becomes an active stork baby that she will always love.
Through illustrations that show a child’s dreams of a “pumpkin,” “cabbage,” and “stork” baby, and a text that uses repetition to great effect, Jane Yolen and Susan Mitchell create a funny new look at old wives tales that explain where babies come from. A great picture book for parents, teachers, librarians, or older siblings to share with younger children.
Under the Star: A Christmas Counting Story
Preschool children and younger readers will like this Christmas story that lets them count the increasing numbers of angels, shepherds, wise men, fathers, mothers, children, and even sheep who all see the Christmas star and decide travel to the manger where the Christ child is born.
Yolen and artist Vlasta van Kampen keep the simple dignity of this popular Christmas story, but also gives it a slightly humorous touch as the Christ child’s “birthday guests” soon overcrowd the manger. Easily appreciated for its whimsical artwork and interactive story, this simple narrative makes a fun story to read to groups of young children.
Find more picture books by Jane Yolen and other popular children’s authors and artists at Dinosaur Picture Books for Kids, Review of Lemony Snicket’s The Lump of Coal, and Dear Baby: What I Love About You!
Yolen, Jane and Vlasta van Kampen. Under the Star: A Christmas Counting Story. Toronto: Key Porter Kids/Key Porter Books Limited. 2009. ISBN: 978-1-55470-201-5
Yolen, Jane and Susan Mitchell. Pumpkin Baby. Toronto: Key Porter Kids/Key Porter Books Limited. 2009. ISBN: 978-1-55470-141-4
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