Reviews
“Pumpkin Spice” Mentioned In “Kids R Us” article!
My new children’s book Pumpkin Spice was mentioned in an article on “Fun New Halloween Books” over on the Kids R Us site. Okay, fine, it’s more of a “review” than a “mention.” Here’s what the folks at Kids R Us had to say about Pumpkin Spice:
“This board book will be much-loved by everyone who enjoys pumpkin spiced… well, everything… each autumn. And that includes me and my little ones! Each page is beautifully illustrated, showing how fall colors help to make the season special. But sight is not the only sense that this book appeals to! It also includes descriptions of pumpkin spices, and even has a recipe to create your own pumpkin spice blend. Adults (like me) will enjoy reading the book to their little ones, who are sure to love every page. That said, it’s fun for readers that the little girl (in a pumpkin costume) is in dialogue with a real pumpkin (living jack-o-lantern??), as they discuss fall colors, aromas, and flavors. Does the excited pumpkin know what pumpkin spice is normally used for? That bit of fun aside, my kids love to read and re-read this book, as they look forward to the sights, smells, and tastes that every fall will bring.”
Pretty great, eh?
Read the entire article HERE.
Pumpkin Spice was written by yours truly and illustrated by the wonderful Monique Dong. The book is out now from Penguin Random House. It’s available at bookstores everywhere, as well as HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.
And to see all of the other books I’ve written for Penguin Random House (books which don’t involve pumpkins, spice, or any combination thereof), click HERE.
Rave Reviews Of My “Superstitions” Book!
As I mentioned in a recent blog post, I wrote a book called The Encyclopedia of Curious Rituals and Superstitions. It’ll be published by Quarto on July 15th, 2025. But in the meantime, the first two reviews of the book just came out!
First, there’s a glowing write up of The Encyclopedia of Curious Rituals and Superstitions over at Foreword Reviews. Here’s an excerpt:
“A delightful mix of education and entertainment, The Encyclopedia of Curious Rituals and Superstitions is a spirited salute to humanity’s quirks—proof that even our silliest beliefs have something to say.”
You can see the whole Foreword Reviews write-up HERE.
And the second write-up comes from Publishers Weekly. It’s also a rave review! Here’s an excerpt:
“Written in an appealingly chatty style, this packs an impressive amount of research into an entertaining package.”
Click HERE to read the whole PW review.
And just in case you don’t have a subscription to Publishers Weekly and therefore cannot read the PW review via the link above, here it is in its entirety:
The Encyclopedia of Curious Rituals and Superstitions: Ancient and Remarkable Traditions That Will Captivate Your Mind
Arie Kaplan. Wellfleet, $19.99 trade paper (256p) ISBN 978-1-57715-462-4
Comedian Kaplan (The Encyclopedia of Epic Myths and Legends) wryly and informatively catalogs superstitious beliefs across history, spotlighting the many that are still prevalent in the modern world. According to Kaplan, “superstitions are more deeply enmeshed in contemporary life than you might think.” He notes that certain common practices are actually superstitious at their core, from traditions like throwing a bouquet at a wedding to everyday etiquette like how to speak to a baby (in much of Asia and Eastern Europe, one should never call a baby “cute,” as it might provoke the evil eye). Arguing that the contemporary conception of “superstition” as based on “ignorance, fear…. or a false conception of causation” is “a little judgmental,” he looks instead for the logic behind superstitious beliefs, ranging from the origins of the taboo against opening an umbrella indoors (likely handed down by the ancient Egyptians, who used umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun and had reasonable concerns about doing things that might offend the sun god) to the explanation for the nearly universal belief (documented in Asia, Native America, and early modern Europe) that pointing at a rainbow will bring bad luck (probably just an easy way to teach kids the good manners of not pointing at things). Written in an appealingly chatty style, this packs an impressive amount of research into an entertaining package. (July)
Oh, and one more thing: you can preorder The Encyclopedia of Curious Rituals and Superstitions HERE, HERE, and HERE.