The Pumpkin Book


Gail Gibbons - 1999
    Award-winning author Gail Gibbons also relates the special role pumpkins played in the first Thanksgiving, the history behind carving pumpkins into jack'o'lanterns, and how pumpkins are still part of our celebrations today. The book features bold, clearly-labeled illustrations, directions for drying seeds, and even how to carve funny or scary faces into your pumpkin (with an adult's help), along with a fascinating section on pumpkin facts and lore. Perfect for aspiring farmers and kids who can't wait for Halloween!

This Is NOT a Pumpkin


Bob Staake - 2007
    It may be round like a pumpkin and even orange like a pumpkin, but this is NOT a pumpkin! If it's not a pumpkin, then what is it? Preschoolers and toddlers will love knowing the answer and enjoy the fun, "unexpected" ending!

Little Boo


Stephen Wunderli - 2014
    But he doesn't scare anyone . . . not the snowflakes in winter, not the bees in spring, not even the watering can!The wind tells him to be patient—he'll be scary soon enough. But waiting is hard. Will the little seed ever be really, truly scary?This simple story is more than a fun Halloween read—it is a heartwarming tale perfect for any child who can't wait to grow up.

Pumpkin Town! Or, Nothing Is Better and Worse Than Pumpkins


Katie McKy - 2006
    Two pumpkins can be carved into grinning jack-o’-lanterns, and a couple hundred more make for a decent pumpkin patch. Gather one thousand pumpkins and you’ll have a grand fall festival.But what happens when a town has an accidental abundance of pumpkins?What do José and his brothers do with a mountain of pumpkins? An EXPLOSION of pumpkins? Step into Pumpkin Town and see!

Pumpkin Moon


Tim Preston - 2001
    . . The trick-or-treaters have gone to bed, but the fun really begins when the jack-o'-lanterns all decide that there's more to life than sitting on the porch. As midnight strikes, carved pumpkins gather by the hundreds, joined by ghosts and witches from far and wide. They gallivant through the countryside, have a big party in the town square, and leave enough evidence behind to thoroughly confuse the townspeople when they awake the next morning. Full of superbly surreal illustrations, this nearly wordless picture book features an embossed image of the grinning Pumpkin Moon on the cover, setting the mood for the wild magic that waits inside for Halloween enthusiasts of all ages.

By the Light of the Harvest Moon


Harriet Ziefert - 2009
    One-by-one, leaf people emerge to celebrate the autumnal equinox. Mark Jones's rich pastel illustrations bring to life the mysterious and fleeting world of a gentle troupe of leaf characters, who will warm the hearts of all readers.

The Perfect Pumpkin Pie


Denys Cazet - 2005
    Wilkerson was an ill-tempered, disagreeable, sour, and impatient old man. Once he died, he got better. But not much. Now he is back and very, very hungry. When Jack and his grandma move into the old Wilkerson house, they find out just how hungry, and why. At least they think they know. It has something to do with pie. A perfect pie.

Eek! Halloween!


Sandra Boynton - 2016
    It starts with an uh-oh—the chickens are nervous! Strange things are happening. One chicken saw a pumpkin with flickering eyes, another spied a mouse of enormous size. They all saw a wizard and a witch, and a spooky robot. “WHAT’S GOING ON HERE? WHAT DOES IT MEAN? / Relax, silly chickens! It’s HALLOWEEN!”

The Scarecrow's Hat


Ken Brown - 2001
    A delightful circular tale and fall read-aloud!"Great for storytelling, with big beautiful pictures for a topper." ―Kirkus ReviewsChicken really admires Scarecrow's hat. Scarecrow would gladly trade his hat for a walking stick to rest his tired arms. Chicken doesn't have a walking stick to trade--but she knows someone who does.Author-illustrator Ken Brown pairs vivid, realistic watercolors with an inventive plot, engaging sequencing and repetition and to tell a charming circular story packed with relatable themes of friendship, bartering, and problem solving. An ideal storytime choice for autumn and harvest themes.Also available from Ken Brown: What's the Time, Grandma Wolf?Awards:Children's Literature Choice List (Picture Books, Ages 4-8) ―Children's LiteratureBest Bets for the Classroom (Picture Books) ―Virginia Center for Children's BooksNevada Young Readers' Award (Nominee, Picture Books) ―Nevada Library Association

Ten Orange Pumpkins: A Counting Book


Stephen A. Savage - 2013
    Bright, bold, and fun, Ten Orange Pumpkins is a perfect read-aloud and is sure to capture the imagination of the littlest trick-or-treaters.

I Want to Be in a Scary Story


Sean Taylor - 2017
    . . A hilarious return by the team that brought us Hoot Owl, Master of Disguise. Our author would like to write a funny story, but his main character Monster has a different idea. He wants to be the star of a chilling, petrifying, utterly terrifying SCARY story. But scary stories . . . well, they can be very scary especially for their characters! Particularly when they involve dark forests and creepy witches and spooky houses . . . Oh yikes and crikes, this is definitely not the scary story Monster had in mind! Maybe he wants to be in a funny story after all!"

Go Away, Big Green Monster!


Ed Emberley - 1992
    As kids turn the die-cut pages of this vibrantly illustrated book, they'll watch the Big Green Monster grow before their very eyes. Then, when they're ready to show him who's in charge, they'll turn the remaining pages and watch him disappear!Ed Emberley's groundbreaking book about mastering fear and emotion through play and imagination has been a bestselling favorite for decades and feels as fresh and innovative today as it did 25 years ago.

Sixteen Runaway Pumpkins


Dianne Ochiltree - 2004
    Hooray!It's harvest time in the pumpkin patch...."Whoosh" -- there they go!Can Sam catch sixteen hill-rolling, ditch-jumping, stump-bumping, runaway pumpkins?Come along on Sam's pumpkin-counting adventure...and find out!

Monster Boogie


Laurie Berkner - 2018
    I’m big and I’m scary, you know what I mean? And this is what I like to do… Boogie away those bedtime fears and embrace your inner monster with Monster Boogie, based on Laurie Berkner’s irresistibly fun song and featuring lively, playful artwork by Ben Clanton! I do the monster boogie. So can you! Rraaaahhh!

Los Gatos Black on Halloween


Marisa Montes - 2006
    Las brujas come on their broomsticks. Los muertos rise from their coffins to join in the fun. Los esqueletos rattle their bones as they dance through the door. And the scariest creatures of all aren't even there yet!This lively bilingual Halloween poem introduces young readers to a spooky array of Spanish words that will open their ojos to the chilling delights of the season.Los Gatos Black on Halloween is a 2007 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year, the winner of the 2008 Pura Belpre Medal for Illustration and a Pura Belpre Honor Book for Narrative.