How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin review

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"How many seeds are in a pumpkin?" Mr. Tiffin asks his class as they gather around the big, medium, and small pumpkins on his desk. Robert, the biggest kid, guesses that the largest one has a million seeds; Elinor, sounding like she knows what she's talking about, guesses the medium one has 500 seeds; and Anna, who likes even numbers better than odd ones, guesses that the little one has 22. Charlie, the smallest boy in the class, doesn't have a guess. (goodreads summary)


This will make a wonderful addition to the Fall Harvest parties this upcoming week. It is just the kind of book that is great for the math or science unit!  Mr. Tifflin has three different sized pumpkins and asks his class to guess "how many seeds are in a pumpkin?" Naturally, the kids think the biggest one will have the most. When they open each one and count the seeds, they discover a scientific surprise!

This book will reinforce concepts on size and prediction, as well as estimating and counting in various ways such as by 2's, 5's and 10's.  To add further to the teaching moment, the kids could weigh and measure their pumpkins as well.  Pumpkins also offer a great opportunity for sensory input with their funny shaped exterior, unusual smell and mushy insides. There is even a nice lesson for Charlie, the smallest boy in the class, who learns that it is not so bad being small. The story does read aloud easily with colorful and bold pictures that add to the fun. With the interesting facts included at the back, I managed to learn several things from this educational book that I didn't know.  Hope the kids have some fun this fall experimenting with pumpkins! I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-7.~

Title: How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin
Author:  Margaret McNamara
Pub. Date: July 2007, Schwartz & Wade Books
genre: picture book
Hardcover, 40 pgs.