The Pumpkin Patch Parable

"See that big red barn?   And those rolling green fields?  That's where the farmer lives, w-a-a-a-y out in the country.  It's so far out the streets don't even have stop signs"

So begins The Pumpkin Patch Parable, an autumn classic for children ages 3 to 7, filled with 32 colorful pages of harvest time fun. First published in 1995 by Thomas Nelson Books, The Pumpkin Patch Parable quickly gathered a following and was featured in Focus on the Family magazine and on The 700 Club. That first fall, more than 50,000 parents and grandparents helped make this one of the #1-bestselling Christian children's books in America! (Bookstore Journal, December 1995)

Now in its 10th Anniversary Edition, The Pumpkin Patch Parable continues to touch young children's hearts as they see how faithfully the farmer plants seeds in the summer, then waits patiently until fall for harvest season.  He chooses a pumpkin from the patch, washes it clean with fresh water, pierces its thick skin with a sharp knife, and cleans out all that squishy, stringy pulp inside...yuck!

Giving his pumpkin a brand new face, the farmer then places a candle inside, touches it with a flame and puts the smiling pumpkin out in a dark world to shine forth for him.  Scripture verses appear at the bottom of many pages, guiding children along the path toward becoming a "new creation" in Christ.

The Pumpkin Patch Parable is not a celebration of Halloween...no ghosts, goblins, demons, witches, or monsters here! Instead, it is a positive alternative for parents and teachers to share with young ones each fall. Since the Lord himself created pumpkins, it seemed appropriate to redeem this familiar symbol of the harvest season for his good purpose.  This autumn..."Let yourself glow!"

"Thank you for writing The Pumpkin Patch Parable. I have read it many times. I like the Bible verses in it. I also like the dog and cat. Do they have names? I will be carving my own pumpkin next week. Thank you for teaching me about how much God takes care of me."
James, age 6

• 32 pages • Hard cover • Nelson, 1995 •