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Pumpkin Trouble
Did that pumpkin just quack?
Duck decides to surprise Pig and Mouse by making a jack-o’-lantern, but something goes horribly wrong! Now he needs Pig and Mouse to help him out of his bind...but when a Pumpkin Monster approaches them, they’re too scared to notice that Duck may be in trouble.
Children and parents alike will laugh out loud at this delightful Halloween story about mistaken identities and an unexpected hero.
Duck decides to surprise Pig and Mouse by making a jack-o’-lantern, but something goes horribly wrong! Now he needs Pig and Mouse to help him out of his bind...but when a Pumpkin Monster approaches them, they’re too scared to notice that Duck may be in trouble.
Children and parents alike will laugh out loud at this delightful Halloween story about mistaken identities and an unexpected hero.
40 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
4 people are currently reading
327 people want to read
About the author
Jan Thomas
30 books169 followersWhen Jan Thomas isn't working on children's books, she's painting pictures, playing the drums, backpacking, or wrangling dust bunnies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
August 28, 2011
Jan Thomas is a storytime godsend--brief stories with real narrative arcs, bold pictures, accessible humor. I think Dust Bunnies might be my all time favorite, but this is no slouch.
August 11, 2011
This is no "Rhyming dust bunnies" or "What will fat cat sit on" however, it IS a Jan Thomas book.
October 21, 2018
Any book (such as this one) that can make a four-year-old laugh must contain a substantial dash of genius.
October 22, 2019
Funny book for young kids about a duck getting into pumpkin trouble.
December 10, 2022
Rating: 5 leaves out of 5
Characters: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Story: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Genre: Children
Type: Book
Worth?: Yes
Characters: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Story: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Genre: Children
Type: Book
Worth?: Yes
December 22, 2014
Booklist (September 1, 2011 (Vol. 108, No. 1))
Preschool-Kindergarten. This is a typical Thomas tale, and fortunately so. With a shiny, chartreuse and azure color palette; thickly outlined, simple shapes; and quick, word-bubble dialogue, she tells the spare, silly story of the crazy confusion that commences when Duck creates a jack-o’-lantern to surprise his friends, Pig and Mouse. After taking a tumble and falling into the hollow squash, trapped Duck ends up frightening his friends: “Argghhh! It’s a PUMPKIN MONSTER!!” A chase ensues until all three are saved from the trouble they were never really in, and Duck makes another jack-o’-lantern to celebrate, setting the stage for history to repeat itself. With well-paced, slapstick action and opportunities for children to practice making predictions, this story features characters who can hold their own beside the cast of any Mo Willems early reader. A terrific Halloween read-aloud.
Horn Book (Spring 2012)
"This will be GREAT!" exclaims Duck when he finds a pumpkin. He excitedly begins carving a jack-o'-lantern but lands himself in trouble when he falls headfirst into the hollowed-out gourd. Pig and Mouse assume that their pumpkin-covered friend stumbling about is a "Pumpkin Monster," and utter panic ensues. Thomas's expressive, boldly colored illustrations will delight preschoolers--as will the clever ending.
Kirkus Reviews (August 1, 2011)
Thomas is back with another slapstick adventure featuring Duck, Mouse and Pig (The Doghouse, 2008; A Birthday for Cow, 2008). Duck finds a pumpkin and begins turning it into a jack-o'-lantern. In the process, Duck tumbles inside and ends up with the pumpkin stuck on his head. Duck tries to get help from Pig and Mouse, but they mistake him for a "PUMPKIN MONSTER!" Now Duck thinks there is a Pumpkin Monster and begins running. Mouse and Pig in turn believe the monster is chasing them, and they "Quick! Hide behind the barn!" Duck cannot see where he is going and runs into the barn, smashing the pumpkin to pieces. Mouse and Pig emerge from their hiding place and proclaim, "LOOK! Duck battled the Pumpkin Monster and WON!" Duck is confused but pleased with himself and decides to celebrate by making a jack-o'-lantern. The last page shows poor Duck-can you guess?-stuck inside his carved pumpkin with Mouse and Pig wondering where Duck is. Bright cartoon illustrations coupled with white speech balloons effectively tell this slight, silly tale of one mishap leading to another and another, but this lacks the manic energy of Thomas' other outings. In the crowded field of Halloween picture books, this unfortunately falls flat. (Picture book. 2-4)
Publishers Weekly (August 29, 2011)
Thomas sticks to her forte-bright, bold artwork and comically harebrained protagonists-in this slapstick Halloween outing. When Duck leans too far over the pumpkin he's preparing to carve and gets stuck inside, the result is a walking, talking, web-footed Pumpkin Monster that scares Mouse, Pig-and Duck. Over-the-top humor and adorably oblivious characters should inspire repeat readings. Ages 2-5. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
School Library Journal (June 1, 2011)
PreS-K-Duck happens upon a pumpkin and decides to turn it into a jack-o'-lantern to surprise Pig and Mouse. He falls into the pumpkin, gets it stuck on his head, and goes in search of his friends to help him extricate himself. When he finds them, they think he is a pumpkin monster and run away. Duck crashes into the barn, smashing the pumpkin and leading his pals to believe that he has vanquished the monster. Duck makes a second jack-o'-lantern to celebrate and again ends up trapped inside. The plot is thin and the writing pedestrian. The computer-generated illustrations are flat and uninteresting. With so many wonderful stories featuring pumpkins, this one is a marginal purchase.-Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Preschool-Kindergarten. This is a typical Thomas tale, and fortunately so. With a shiny, chartreuse and azure color palette; thickly outlined, simple shapes; and quick, word-bubble dialogue, she tells the spare, silly story of the crazy confusion that commences when Duck creates a jack-o’-lantern to surprise his friends, Pig and Mouse. After taking a tumble and falling into the hollow squash, trapped Duck ends up frightening his friends: “Argghhh! It’s a PUMPKIN MONSTER!!” A chase ensues until all three are saved from the trouble they were never really in, and Duck makes another jack-o’-lantern to celebrate, setting the stage for history to repeat itself. With well-paced, slapstick action and opportunities for children to practice making predictions, this story features characters who can hold their own beside the cast of any Mo Willems early reader. A terrific Halloween read-aloud.
Horn Book (Spring 2012)
"This will be GREAT!" exclaims Duck when he finds a pumpkin. He excitedly begins carving a jack-o'-lantern but lands himself in trouble when he falls headfirst into the hollowed-out gourd. Pig and Mouse assume that their pumpkin-covered friend stumbling about is a "Pumpkin Monster," and utter panic ensues. Thomas's expressive, boldly colored illustrations will delight preschoolers--as will the clever ending.
Kirkus Reviews (August 1, 2011)
Thomas is back with another slapstick adventure featuring Duck, Mouse and Pig (The Doghouse, 2008; A Birthday for Cow, 2008). Duck finds a pumpkin and begins turning it into a jack-o'-lantern. In the process, Duck tumbles inside and ends up with the pumpkin stuck on his head. Duck tries to get help from Pig and Mouse, but they mistake him for a "PUMPKIN MONSTER!" Now Duck thinks there is a Pumpkin Monster and begins running. Mouse and Pig in turn believe the monster is chasing them, and they "Quick! Hide behind the barn!" Duck cannot see where he is going and runs into the barn, smashing the pumpkin to pieces. Mouse and Pig emerge from their hiding place and proclaim, "LOOK! Duck battled the Pumpkin Monster and WON!" Duck is confused but pleased with himself and decides to celebrate by making a jack-o'-lantern. The last page shows poor Duck-can you guess?-stuck inside his carved pumpkin with Mouse and Pig wondering where Duck is. Bright cartoon illustrations coupled with white speech balloons effectively tell this slight, silly tale of one mishap leading to another and another, but this lacks the manic energy of Thomas' other outings. In the crowded field of Halloween picture books, this unfortunately falls flat. (Picture book. 2-4)
Publishers Weekly (August 29, 2011)
Thomas sticks to her forte-bright, bold artwork and comically harebrained protagonists-in this slapstick Halloween outing. When Duck leans too far over the pumpkin he's preparing to carve and gets stuck inside, the result is a walking, talking, web-footed Pumpkin Monster that scares Mouse, Pig-and Duck. Over-the-top humor and adorably oblivious characters should inspire repeat readings. Ages 2-5. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
School Library Journal (June 1, 2011)
PreS-K-Duck happens upon a pumpkin and decides to turn it into a jack-o'-lantern to surprise Pig and Mouse. He falls into the pumpkin, gets it stuck on his head, and goes in search of his friends to help him extricate himself. When he finds them, they think he is a pumpkin monster and run away. Duck crashes into the barn, smashing the pumpkin and leading his pals to believe that he has vanquished the monster. Duck makes a second jack-o'-lantern to celebrate and again ends up trapped inside. The plot is thin and the writing pedestrian. The computer-generated illustrations are flat and uninteresting. With so many wonderful stories featuring pumpkins, this one is a marginal purchase.-Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2018
Pumpkins, Halloween, animals
September 26, 2016
Cute little book but I had to return it too quickly to the library because many of the pages were ripped and I was afraid we'd make it worse by reading it before it got repaired :(
November 1, 2016
This was a cute, quick read for Halloween. My daughter is 2 years old and we read this on Halloween night. We were going to bed late, so I was happy for a shorter book. My daughter loves ducks, so she enjoyed seeing the situation that Duck got himself in.
The text was all done in text bubbles from the characters. There were only a few words per page, so it would be an easy book for beginning readers as well.
The illustrations were comical and the fact that duck didn't know that the was the Pumpkin Monster was funny. My daughter really enjoyed it. It was a solid Halloween book for toddlers and beginning readers.
The text was all done in text bubbles from the characters. There were only a few words per page, so it would be an easy book for beginning readers as well.
The illustrations were comical and the fact that duck didn't know that the was the Pumpkin Monster was funny. My daughter really enjoyed it. It was a solid Halloween book for toddlers and beginning readers.
October 13, 2018
Duck leans too far into a pumpkin he's cleaning out and gets stuck. He runs around with the pumpkin on his head looking for help, and Mouse and Pig think he's a Pumpkin Monster. Duck, hearing of the Pumpkin Monster, doesn't realize it's him and the result is a wonderful chase/crash scene.
The bold, graphic art is super easy on the eyes (perfect for visually hypersensitive kids) and Jan Thomas mostly tells her slapstick stories visually, through the illustrations.
This is a book about perspective-taking, which means it's also a book about Theory of Mind. Take the opportunity of reading Pumpkin Trouble to flex this muscle. Your child may enjoy Duck crashing into a wall and smashing his pumpkin—and that's your way in. Help them to see why it's also funny that Duck doesn't realize that he is the Pumpkin Monster. This is one of those moments when the joke is not ruined by explaining it!
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I review books from the perspective of a parent of two children with autism. This review is part of a list of Halloween theme books that can be found on my blog: https://www.lineupthebooks.com/hallow...
The bold, graphic art is super easy on the eyes (perfect for visually hypersensitive kids) and Jan Thomas mostly tells her slapstick stories visually, through the illustrations.
This is a book about perspective-taking, which means it's also a book about Theory of Mind. Take the opportunity of reading Pumpkin Trouble to flex this muscle. Your child may enjoy Duck crashing into a wall and smashing his pumpkin—and that's your way in. Help them to see why it's also funny that Duck doesn't realize that he is the Pumpkin Monster. This is one of those moments when the joke is not ruined by explaining it!
---
I review books from the perspective of a parent of two children with autism. This review is part of a list of Halloween theme books that can be found on my blog: https://www.lineupthebooks.com/hallow...
November 21, 2019
1. When Duck finds a pumpkin, he decides he is going to carve it and make a jack-o’-lantern. But trouble ensues when Duck gets the pumpkin stuck on his head! Will his friends, Mouse and Pig, be able to help him or will he have to get himself out of this troubling situation?
2. This book is very simple to follow and cute for young children. With simple illustrations, it tells a humorous story and is perfect for the autumn season! Jan Thomas’ book will have young children laughing at Duck’s transformation into a pumpkin monster!
3. Other books I would pair this with: Swim! Swim! by Lerch; Cat Secrets by Jef Czekaj; Eli, No! by Katie Kirk; Can You Make a Scary Face? by Jan Thomas; Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White
4. This book could be used as a mentor text for a unit on simple graphic texts to teach dialogue and getting students into comic books/manga. It could also be used as a simple anchor text for a fall unit on pumpkins or with talking animals. Using this book as a mentor text could inspire the use of comic strips—students making their own comic strip story!
2. This book is very simple to follow and cute for young children. With simple illustrations, it tells a humorous story and is perfect for the autumn season! Jan Thomas’ book will have young children laughing at Duck’s transformation into a pumpkin monster!
3. Other books I would pair this with: Swim! Swim! by Lerch; Cat Secrets by Jef Czekaj; Eli, No! by Katie Kirk; Can You Make a Scary Face? by Jan Thomas; Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White
4. This book could be used as a mentor text for a unit on simple graphic texts to teach dialogue and getting students into comic books/manga. It could also be used as a simple anchor text for a fall unit on pumpkins or with talking animals. Using this book as a mentor text could inspire the use of comic strips—students making their own comic strip story!
September 25, 2018
Our favorite characters from Jan Thomas' barnyard books are back for a fun time getting ready for Halloween. Duck is making a jack o'lantern to surprise his friends, Pig and Mouse. Duck runs into a bit of trouble and that creates a crazy adventure for everyone. Young readers will giggle as they read to find out how Duck is going to get out of his jam. The brightly colored, humorous illustrations along with the simple text make this a great picture book to share with younger children in the weeks leading up to Halloween.
September 26, 2018
We got this book since Halloween is around the corner. We were both pleasantly surprised. I loved it. So did my 4 year old. We both laughed at most pages. The story is extremely well communicated and with a lot of punches.
Age - 4
Illustrations - Great
Story - Wonderful
Lesson - N/A (Laugh often?!)
I am sure my boy is going to pick this up more than once in the coming month while the book is by his bedside. I won't object.
Age - 4
Illustrations - Great
Story - Wonderful
Lesson - N/A (Laugh often?!)
I am sure my boy is going to pick this up more than once in the coming month while the book is by his bedside. I won't object.
July 15, 2024
Duck has a wee bit of trouble carving his pumpkin which leads to hilarious results. Cute and funny with big, bold illustrations by the author.
December 29, 2016
The three year thought this book was hilarious. It is very visual with not a lot if text, so it's a quick, fun read.
November 2, 2017
Jan Thomas' "Pumpkin Trouble" is laugh-out-loud funny! Sharing this story aloud would be an engaging addition to fall story hours for audiences of all ages.
January 7, 2018
Duck wants to show off his pumpkin to his friends Pig and Mouse. Things don't go quite as planned.
Better as a one-on-one reading them group share. Better for preschoolers instead of toddlers.
Better as a one-on-one reading them group share. Better for preschoolers instead of toddlers.
March 9, 2018
Thomas and Halloween. Will have to try next October.
August 1, 2018
Funny and simple with clear illustrations and not a lot of text per page - perfect for toddler and preschool story time.
October 26, 2018
Have you ever gotten in pumpkin trouble?! What IS pumpkin trouble?!
November 3, 2018
Good book for making text to text connections. Many similarities to Moe Willems piggy and elephant books. Makes the kiddos laugh!!
November 3, 2018
This is a great halloween book for our toddler storytime!
December 8, 2018
Rating by my daughter. Was pretty funny!!
December 18, 2018
Short and funny! Highly recommended for ages 3-5.
August 13, 2019
I love the typical Jan Thomas book illustrations. Few words. Humorous.
November 7, 2019
Great silly pumpkin fun with Duck, Mouse, and Cow.
Themes: Halloween; Fall
Themes: Halloween; Fall
November 21, 2019
Ages 2-3, toddler appropriate book--quick, quirky and funny trio of duck, mouse and pig do it again! This time duck doesn't know he is both the hero and the monster.
November 26, 2019
Simple drawings, fun to read.
August 19, 2020
Duck wants to surprise his friends with a jack-o-lantern - and he does indeed surprise them! But not quite the way that he had imagined. A bit of slapstick fun to celebrate fall!
September 28, 2020
Absolutely one of my favorite children's books for Spooky Season.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews