A farmer and his wife work hard on their crops, but must continually chase away various animals - crows, bunnies, hogs, deer, etc. - intent on eating what they have grown, in this rhyming picture-book from the 1970s. Eventually, the couple manage to put away a bounteous harvest, despite their "hard scrabble," and their family enjoys a delicious Thanksgiving meal together...

Originally published in 1976 as Hard Scrabble Harvest, and then reprinted in paperback as Bring In the Pumpkins, this autumn-themed tale is the first picture-book I have read from Dahlov Ipcar, an author more familiar to me through her works of fantasy for older children. I found it quite fun, enjoying both the rhyming text, and the vintage illustrations, which were vibrantly colorful, and made use of bold, stylized patterns that felt quite folk-art inspired. Recommended to readers who enjoy vintage picture-books, and to picture-book readers seeking somewhat quirky Thanksgiving stories. ( )