“Pattan’s Pumpkin: A Traditional Flood Story from Southern India”, by Chitra Soundar, is a story based on a traditional tale of the Irula people, who live in the hills of southern India.
Pattan and his wife are farmers, responsible caretaker of their land and their various animals, including the insects. One day, Pattan finds a sickly plant and takes it home to care for it. This is a plant with “personality”: “The plant liked its new home. Its yellow flowers smiled at the sun.” One yellow flower produces a pumpkin that grows to tremendous proportions. When serious rains threaten the farm and the animals, Pattan and his family are able to hollow out the pumpkin and fit everyone inside, then float to the safety of the plains. Eventually they return home, raise many children, and continue to grow pumpkins. The story is nicely paced, and the excitement of the perilous journey comes to life. Pattan and his wife are likable characters. The gouache illustrations have a charming naive quality that should have considerable child appeal.
