School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-Little Nell, introduced in The Biggest, Best Snowman (Scholastic, 1998), returns with BIG Mama, BIG Sarah, and BIG Lizzie. It's Halloween, and the three siblings are looking for pumpkins to carve into jack-o'-lanterns. Little Nell's selection is deemed too small and ugly by her sisters. Not to be deterred, Little Nell enlists the help of Reindeer, Hare, and Bear Cub and creates a special jack-o'-lantern that can proudly take its place on the porch. As BIG Mama says, "Jack-o'-lanterns come in all shapes and sizes!," a line that can be reassuringly applied to children as well. Reminiscent of Charlie Brown's devotion to his scraggly Christmas tree, Little Nell's story is just as satisfying, stressing the worth of a child's handiwork and the value of creating. The colorful cartoons provide the perfect complement. This is a holiday story that can be used year round; it's an excellent choice for reading aloud, both in a group setting or one-on-one.-Kara Schaff Dean, Needham Public Library, MA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Like Horowitz's Ugly Pumpkin, this tale's asymmetrical vegetable does not meet ideal jack-o'-lantern specifications. When Little Nell selects it, her sister Big Sarah suggests, "How about this nice, smooth one instead?" Nell sticks to her choice, and a sympathetic Reindeer, Hare and Bear Cub help her to carve it. Cuyler and Hillenbrand introduced stubborn Nell and her know-it-all elders in The Biggest, Best Snowman. Once again, they cheer Nell's defiance, but the dewy-eyed talking animals here seem to add a bit of a maudlin, rather than supportive, touch. Ages 4-8. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
