The Littlest Pumpkin

by R.A. Herman, Betina Ogden (Illustrator)

When Bartlett's Farm Stand closes for the season, the Littlest Pumpkin, who longs to make someone happy for Halloween, is devastated to be the only pumpkin left, but when a group of mice come along, they make the Littlest Pumpkin the happiest pumpkin in the world! Original.

Genres: Halloween, Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday, Animals, Fiction, Fantasy

32 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2001

Reviews

[Amanda]

I liked the atmospheric illustrations that showed all the different sorts of jack-o-lanterns kids could make. However, it was a little horrifying to see festive mice take a knife to the face of the littlest pumpkin, and for the pumpkin to like it.

[Amy]

We have this book in our Halloween collection and while I find it "mediocre", my 3-year old daughter is enthralled with it. I think she loves the story of something that is so "little" finding all its dreams coming true!! (She loves to quote that part at the end...when all the pumpkin's dreams come true!) My daughter will tell you it is tough to be the youngest in a family sometimes!!

[☆ emeline]

this is peak literature.

[Holly Letson]

The Littlest Pumpkin was an easy-to-relate character. I was really glad that her dream came true in the end.

[Emily Thompson]

Emily’s Circle Time Series
I can’t explain why I was obsessed with this book as a child, but I was. I wanted it year round.
My students say it’s the journey — thinking this kid will pick the Littlest Pumpkin, or this kid, or this one, until there’s no kids left… and just when you think it’s over, she gets her Halloween wish in an unexpected way. There’s a beautiful message there. It’s very when God closes a door, somewhere he opens a window.

[Nancy]

Text-to-Teaching Connection
This book has a wonderful message, the littlest pumpkin dreams of becoming a jack-o'-lantern. She thinks her dream won't come true after the pumpkin patch closes on Halloween night, but in the end she has a wonderful surprise.

I would read this book before a class fieldtrip to a pumpkin patch, it will help younger children understand the process of picking a pumpkin. It would also help ESL children who may not have any prior experience with the American custom of picking a pumpkin and carving a jack-o'lantern.

If the class can't pick pumpkins from a pumpkin patch, we could carve a pumpkin together as a class, or use paper to make a pumpkin and cut out eyes and nose and mouth from yellow paper to create a jack-o'-lantern.

With older children, they could do a writing exercise of what they dream of becoming one day.

[raccoon reader]

This is our second year reading this book. The illustrations feel pretty old school which I like. My 5 year old son adores this book. I’m not sure if it is because the pumpkin isn’t picked, or because of the magical mice party, or who knows. But it holds his attention for a long time and we read it several times each fall.

[Kayla]

I loved the perspective of this book. I thought it would have a different ending than it did. I could always use this as a motivational book to students that have been feeling discouraged. I could also read this book aloud when it gets closer to Halloween.

[Ruth]

cute little story and great illustrations

[Dolly]

This is a sweet story that explains that there's someone out there for everyone and that even the smallest of us can realize our dreams. The anthropomorphic mice are a nice touch and I thought the watercolor illustrations have a softly fuzzy, nostalgic quality.

I thought it was interesting that the small pumpkin was transformed into a jack-o'-lantern without actually explaining that it involves scooping out her guts and hallowing her out, which for a sentient pumpkin would likely mean 'killing' her. The image of the mice approaching the pumpkin with knives is very creepy.

[Goldilocks In Avonlea]

I don't know what it was about this book. I forgot to read it on Halloween night so on November 1st I decided, let's just push through it. I went in with not really any expectations but the more I read the more heartwarming it was and I found a smile growing on my face.

And I'm not sure I ever didn't see a plot twist coming with a kids story but that definitely happened with this one.

It was over all so sweet and fun to read. Highly recommend as a Halloween story to read.

[Charlotte S]

All is well at Bartlett's Farm Stand, and the Littlest Pumpkin has high hopes for this Halloween. She dreams of being picked and carved into the most spectacular Jack-O-Lantern. Will she get picked? Find out in this spooktacular picture book! The illustrations are great and pair with the story perfectly! This is one of my favorite books for the spooky season! Follow @bronteandwilder on Instagram for more fun book recommendations!

[Bridget Neace]

Cute and sweet story.

I bought this probably my first year teaching and would read it every year to my class during the month of October. Now it sits in our "Boo Bucket" (container which holds 31 Halloween-ish books from which our family chooses one book a day for the entire month). :)

[Jennifer Steele]

This book reminds me of the movie about the square pumpkin.
This book is one that I keep in my “holiday collection” for Halloween. I like that the story shows that just because you are little does not mean that you can not achieve your dreams.

[Margaret]

This is the story of the littlest pumpkin who gets left behind on Halloween night while all the other pumpkins get chosen. Then, after the farm stand is closed and all the lights are off, something special happens! Very cute illustrations!

[Rosa Cline]

The littlest pumpkin nearly gave up on her dream to be a jack o lantern when and unexpected event happens and gives her what sh3 wants most.

[Leslie Miller]

My kids LOVED this but also thought it was a little sad. Reminds me of Corduroy.

[Karin]

Cute Halloween story

[Set]

Do no judge a book by it's cover, this book is boring and poorly illustrated.

[Rebekah]

I loved this! It just shouts Halloween! It is a great book to teach kids that things have a way of working out, even if it wasn't the way we originally had in mind.

[Conquering]

A nice book to add to our Halloween library shelf. An easy read aloud that can spark a conversation about what a child wants to be when they grow up.

[Kimberly]

I love how this story has a moral and beautiful pictures. I am sad that it eoupd not be easy to use for a t-chart lesson for second graders but I would try it.

[Rose]

A heartwarming, non-scary Halloween book for children with really cute illustrations!

[Megan]

...Why does the Littlest Pumpkin want to be a jack-o-lantern so badly? Unclear.

That said, my 3 year old loved this book. The plot is simple and ends with a party, so it gets high marks.

[Eleanor Whisenhunt]

Pretty good, but the best part was to read about what everyone wanted their pumpkin to be carved as!

[Haven]

Peak.

[Bronda]

Wonderfully illustrated adorable book about acceptance!

[JZ]

Great story. My children really enjoyed this book.

[Madison Upchurch]

is it cheating to add this on my goodreads since i read it to my intern kids orrrrrr

[Sim]

ugh this is such a sweet book and the illustrations are perfect