Title: Pumpkin
Author: Ilyannie T.G.
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 978-1-7283-6841-2
Genre: Illustrated Children’s Book
Pages: 32
Reviewed by: Barbara Miller
Pacific Book Review
Pumpkin is a delightful illustrated children’s book written by a young author, Ilyannie T. G. The main character, Pumpkin, is a foal (meaning less than one year old) Arabian horse born in a barn on a brisk autumn day. Learning some words taught to her by her mother, such as “danger,” and “human” in this case named “Rohan” (the owner of Pumpkin), and her favorite word, “Tomorrow.” She believes “Tomorrow” is a place where she goes to, rather than meaning the day after today, which is an understandable misuse of the word, and childishly silly in its use throughout the story.
With the common frolicking of a foal learning to walk and run, and being ridden by Rohan, the story progresses with a calmness and love by all equines and equestrians. The illustrations capture the right elements to enable children to indulge in the fanciful nature of the characters. Then the suspense builds towards the ending of the story when Pumpkin is taken to Tomorrow, but needs to cross a river – when all of a sudden,
a tornado appears in the distance, causing everyone to run to safety. Then, with the characters being re-united in the comfort of the barn, the story tappers off to its happy ending. This brings the readers to a point in which they could close their eyes and drift off to dreamland knowing that Pumpkin will also sleep, and awake to a new day, Tomorrow.
Pumpkin is a very soothing story, bringing in the power of a horse and the mindset for a deep bond and friendship between a human and a horse. Trust and survival, even when taking risks, are common instinctual qualities of most all living beings; and the honor and integrity of a horse being subordinate to human control yet thriving on the opportunity to save each other’s lives is a remarkable theme. It is a story which not only the author’s grandparents would be proud of, but all children will enjoy and live vicariously via Pumpkin’s spirit.
