Eric Hill's Spot plants a pumpkin seed with Dad in the spring, then does the hardest thing a toddler ever has to do: wait. Water it, watch it, wait some more, and finally there is a pumpkin big enough for a surprise.

The board itself is die cut into a pumpkin, so the book is half story and half object. Little hands hold it by the shape, trace the edge, and carry it around the house all October. It is a first lesson in patience and growing things, delivered by the friendliest dog in children's publishing.