It is the season of pumpkins! The world around us seems to have turned orange. And befitting to the season, BookBairn and I have unearthed a...

#obsessedwithpumpkins

Friday, October 23, 2015 BookBairn 8 Comments

It is the season of pumpkins! The world around us seems to have turned orange. And befitting to the season, BookBairn and I have unearthed a pumpkin story to review from our local library. 'Pumpkin Party' is a new Peter Rabbit story based on the CBeebies animated TV show. As a Peter Rabbit traditionalist and a Beatrix Potter fan, I will try to put aside my bias towards the traditional Beatrix Potter illustrations and accept that a new generation of children (BookBairn's generation) will experience Peter Rabbit in a computer-animated version and will, no doubt, adore it as much as I loved the originals but, still, it's not the same. Enough said.


The revamped characters are instantly recognisable and incredibly cute and having watched some of the TV show, I think BookBairn recognised them (although it's hard to tell, of course). She loves the bright orange cover and was instantly drawn to it out of the selection we borrowed from the library. The illustrations are perhaps a little over-complicated for babies as young as BookBairn and the backgrounds are quite detailed, making this book more appropriate for older toddlers. Similarly, the storyline is a bit too advanced for BookBairn, however, it is a cute pumpkin adventure that would be perfect for bedtimes during autumn for older toddlers.

The bunnies are on the hunt for a pumpkin for their party, which they find in MrMcGregor's garden (of course!) and try to get back to their home in one piece. A runaway pumpkin and an encounter with a hungry Mr Tod pose a challenge along the way but the ever-prepared Lily has just the things hidden away in her 'Just-in-Case' pocket (don't I wish I had such a pocket that was filled with everything I need) to overcome these bumps along the road. What a cute story! And I love an over-prepared soul such as Lily, reminds me of Mary Poppins (or Hermione Granger), probably because I always pack way too much into the changing bag and look like we are going away for the weekend rather than just out for lunch! The illustrations, whilst for me lack the appeal of the original charming illustrations of Beatrix Potter, are absolutely adorable in their own right and I can see why they appeal to a new generation of readers (and TV fans). Peter and his pals are modernised but still capture the endearing nature and ability to overcome any obstacle with their enduring gumption of the Peter and pals of my childhood.

In short, this a lovely toddler-appropriate adventure story with characters that we all know and love! But until next pumpkin-season, BookBairn and I will be sticking with the Peter Rabbit books aimed at younger toddlers and babies. And who knows, maybe that way she'll grow to love both Peters? After all, each is adorable in their own right!


Happy pumpkin season, Mummy and BookBairn xx








8 comments:

  1. My daughter likes Peter Rabbit - the original and the modernised versions. Looks like a fun one for Halloween. Thanks very much for sharing it with #WotW

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  2. For all the Papa bloggers out there you can substitute Turnip for Pumpkin.

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  3. Both my.boys love Peter Rabbit, I shall have to check out that book sounds like fun X

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    1. It is a lovely adventure! Noticed it in Waterstones window today too - it is the season (of pumpkins!)!

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  4. Ah you've noticed it too. All our lovely story book characters that we grew up with cgi'd. We were watching an episode the other day where Benjamin was afraid of the dark. So sweet but I agree the original illustrated book versions are magical. #WotW

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    1. Don't want to say 'it wasn't like that in my day' but I miss the charm of original illustrations. Although I'm a huge Toy Story fan so can't deny cgi is fantastic in its own right (if only it didn't steal characters we love!).

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  5. Oh this is so adorable!! I do know what you mean on the whole 'not the same' thing, but I do have to say... isn't cottontail the cutest in animation form?! Them little bloomers and bows! :D

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    1. They are adorable! I totally agree! I just wish they didn't need to remake everything, and computer generate it in the process. But it's hard to deny their cuteness, I'll admit!

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