Warm, FUNNY, great illustrations - family favorite
Customer Rating: 
I did not know the extent to which my daughter would come to love this book when I purchased it. Had I known, I would have found a hardcover edition. Let me just say, this is the first book that my almost 4 year old memorized (word for word). This is the first book that my 9 year old will go to when he wants to read to her (e.g. he wants to read it and needs an excuse).
It is a warm tale about friendship, sharing, and overcoming conflict/compromise. It handles conflict naturally (e.g. real characters that really argue and act just like my kids). Real characters with real feelings and vivid imaginations portrayed with flawless, humorous illustrations (we especially love when Squirrel and Cat envision Duck's new shop). The colors of the artwork are warm and orange - just like pumpkin soup. You feel like you are peering in on their lives (like the two little bugs that appear on every page). Most importantly, this book does not come off preachy - so I think it rings true with children. In fact, my daughter uses this book to relate sharing issues - all I need to say is "remember how Duck wanted to use Squirrel's special spoon?" and she gets it - instantly.
And - for some odd reason - my children are now fascinated with pumpkins and want to cook. We have made pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, pumpkin ravioli... and.... Pumpkin soup - The Best You Ever Tasted!
