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.)
