Pumpkin Heads

by Wendell Minor

A spooky display of Halloween tradition--now in Scholastic Bookshelf!

Celebrate Halloween with a pumpkin head! Wendell Minor presents a delightful range of glowing pumpkins, from cowboys to witches to snowmen. Kids and parents alike are in for a special Halloween treat.

Genres: Halloween, Picture Books, Holiday, Childrens, Storytime, Fiction, Juvenile

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2000

About the author

Wendell Minor was born and raised in the town of Aurora, Illinois. Drawing and painting have always been an integral part of his life, and after completing his studies at the Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida, Wendell began creating original designs for book publishers in New York City. His children's books have consistently exhibited his love for the land and environment.

Illustrating books for naturalist authors Jean Craighead George and Diane Siebert, among others, he approaches his art by researching and experiencing each environment he illustrates. His travels have taken him from the tropical Everglades of Florida to Barrow, Alaska in the Arctic Circle, from the Midwest to the Grand Canyon in the Southwest, and throughout the United States. In addition to picture books, Minor has created cover art and interior illustrations for novels for young people, including Jean Craighead George's Julie and Julie's Wolf Pack, and redesigned the cover for the twenty-fifth anniversary edition of the Newbery award-winning Julie of the Wolves. He has also authored several of his own books.

His books have consistently been named on the annual lists for Notable Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies, Outstanding Science Trade Books, and IRA Teachers' Choices. His books have also received the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio and Parents' Choice Awards and been featured on PBS's "The Reading Rainbow."

Wendell has had numerous solo exhibitions, and his work can be found in the permanent collections of the Norman Rockwell Museum, the Illinois State Museum, Muskegon Museum of Art, Mattatuck Museum (of Connecticut), the Mazza Museum at Findlay University, the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Museum of American Illustration, NASA, Arizona Historical Society, U.S. Coast Guard and the Library of Congress.

He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, he serves on the Advisory Council for the Connecticut Center for the Book, and is a member of The Children's Book Council (CBC), a non-profit trade organization dedicated to encouraging literacy and the use and enjoyment of children's books.

Wendell and his wife and business partner, Florence, live and work in Connecticut with their cats, Sofie and Cindercat.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Halloween just got a whole lot HALLOWEENIER with the reissue of this October classic.

Minor's stunning artwork is the star of the show here:





I don't often recommend cutting up books, but you may want to purchase a second copy in order to decorate your walls with Minor's gorgeous gourds.

This title will be out on August 10th. Thanks to Netgalley and Charlesbridge Publishing for the opportunity to enjoy this book.

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a children's book that I read to my twin boys. This is a cute and fun Halloween book for young children. I would say this is great for pre-k to kindergarteners. The pictures was very cute, and my boys laugh so much during this book. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Blue Sky Press) or author (Wendell Minor) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

[Schizanthus Nerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations are everything in this book, so detailed and realistic. Each of the pumpkin heads have so much personality, providing inspiration for cute, creepy and whimsical designs. The text is very sparse, making this an ideal book to introduce young children to this aspect of Halloween.

There‘s a pumpkin snowman (I want to frame this picture), scarecrow, witch and cowboy, along with those that are expressing a variety of feelings.

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I particularly loved the witch

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and the haunted house.

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Thank you so much to NetGalley and Charlesbridge for the opportunity to read this picture book.

Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com

[Mel (Epic Reading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This super simple children's book is perfect for your toddler. Easy words, a message of inclusivity (pumpkin heads of all shapes and sizes!) and some cute illustrations are likely to briefly entertain even the youngest of children. Some might want to use this book as a child's first reading material given it's simplicity.
The content is also simple. Just about how pumpkins are out at Hallowe'en and how they become jack o' lanterns and can be found all about. No flashiness, morals, or confusing rhetoric here; just straight up 'yeah pumpkin's' message.
A suitable Hallowe'en related book for the majority of children. It does mention trick or treating so my only caution would be to ensure the child you are gifting it to participates in trick or treating.

Please note: I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.

[Perrilyn Pringle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The dedication was to every kid who went to a pumpkin patch. As a pumpkin patch kid I really appreciated this book. Short and sweet, a great read. Im definitely building pumpkin men in the fall now, thanks to this book.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was worried when my granddaughter wanted me to read this one to her, but I needn't have worried. It is not as scary as the cover makes it look. In this book we see all kinds of pumpkins such as a pumpkin snowman, a cowboy and pumpkins that have scary or cute faces. The text is very simple and my 7 year old grandson read this to his sister a couple of times. The illustrations are wonderful. They complement the text as well as providing picture clues for young readers. They show even more Jack-O-Lanterns such as hot air balloons, in a haunted house and doing other creative things. A simple but imaginative book that I recommend to anyone who loves Hallowe'en and Jack-O-Lanterns. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.

[Briar's Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's spooky time!

I love Halloween, so of course I pick up a Halloween/Pumpkin filled picture book! At this point, I embrace the fun at my age. Why not have a little fun and dip back into the joys of childhood? Pictures books are also great to share around! So many young readers... so many options...

My notes about this book:
1. The cover is creepy... in the best spooky way! Although, some little kids might actually be creeped out and stay away.
2. The illustrations are marvellous! They really stand out. Super lifelike!
3. The story is sweet, simple and fun.
4. This is a great book to bring into the classroom or get your young ones pumped for Halloween!

Three out of five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

[The Story Girl (Serenity) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I normally love reading at least one fall or Halloween themed book every fall, but when I saw the cover of this book, it instantly drew me in. I couldn't wait for fall, I had to request it immediately. It did not disappoint. The illustrations were absolutely perfect and a genuine delight, depicting all types of pumpkins: from a pumpkin-shaped hot air balloon to pumpkins in a haunted house and many creative things in between, this book just made my fall-loving heart happy. I've read many Halloween-themed children's books over the years, but this is definitely one of my favorites that I can see myself turning back to (with kids or without!).

Thank you to the publisher for providing me a copy to review via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Sharon Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pumpkin Heads by Wendell Minor is being reissued and released on August 10 2021. This Halloween classic uses simple language and striking autumn settings to celebrate pumpkin heads.

Pumpkin Heads is a celebration of jack-o-lanterns and the variety of ways pumpkins can be used and decorated in the fall. The text is simple, and very limited, which makes it good for the youngest book lovers and enjoying the book in a storytime settling, perhaps paired with a craft. The images are bold and memorable, and will definitely capture the interest and attention of the audience. It could also be used to inspire some crafts and pumpkin decorating. I certainly have some idea for what I might want to do this fall.

[Moonkiszt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Featured in a grandma reads session.

Halloween themed pumpkin carving featured throughout this picture book. . .basic, simple and skimpy on the narrative.

We went through this fairly quickly, and not much was left to discuss once we'd gone through it, so the vote came to a 2 star conclusion: It was ok. We were glad we had more books in our stack to read.

[La Coccinelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

While some of the illustrations in Pumpkin Heads are lovely, the book is rather simple and uninteresting. I'm not a fan of the layout, which pairs a page of sparse text and a translucent pumpkin with a fully illustrated page depicting the various carved pumpkins. The resulting look is uneven, with the text pages appearing slapped together while the illustrated pages look like they were laboured over. There's no story; the text is just a means to introduce the pumpkins.

Can we mention the cover for a moment? Am I the only one who thinks this looks like a horror story? That particular arrangement of pumpkins is supposed to be a snowman, but it looks rather menacing.

I'm not sure who I'd recommend this one to. Children old enough to appreciate the artwork probably won't be impressed by the lack of story. Children young enough not to care about the story might be unnerved by some of the illustrations.

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful fun picture book about pumpkins! A bit early but I just couldn't resist this one, waiting until October.. nope. In this book we see all kinds of pumpkins. From pumpkins that will welcome you home, to a pumpkin snowman, to pumpkin with scary and cute faces. I really enjoyed this book and it made me long for Autumn again... which is just weird as my body at the moment would rather have it warm again. Haha. I like the art and I love how the pumpkins were drawn.
I would definitely recommend this book and who knows, maybe I will read it again come October!

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great for my Halloween loving child. The artwork is excellent and displayed the various types of "pumpkin heads" clearly. Short and simple sentences along side the artwork make this book a good choice for a story time read together with little ones pitching in, too. Things like a pumpkin head pretending to be a snowman encouraged my four year old's involvement and laughter. He gave this one a big thumbs up!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Tina Eckenroth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A favorite of mine! The illustrations are fantastic, but personally I find them a little scary (the cover reminds me for some reason of the Headless Horseman and he has always creeped me out! Shivers..).

[Ms. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Refresh your autumn holidays collection with this short story about jack o'lanterns. With its life-like illustrations; it's perfect for Halloween sharing.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

*thank you to Netgalley, Charlesbridge and Wendell Minor for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*


4 stars.

Ohh wow. I can not express enough just how BEAUTIFUL the illustrations in this book are! Every single one of them needs to be framed, they are just that amazing. 10/10 just for the illustrations alone. Even if you can't read, just simply absorbing the illustrations will make this book worth it.

The story content itself tells of the many different creative ways to carve and dress up pumpkins and their uses, making this fun to read and a wonderful book for not only Halloween but for any time of year.

Would definitely recommend.

[Villa Park Public Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute and simple Halloween book for younger children, Pumpkin Heads! describes various types of jack-o-lanterns. The art style for the pictures is more realistic but still very charming, and it’s not as scary as the cover art leads you to think.

Check this book out at the Villa Park Public Library!

[Brenda Kahn]

Came across this gem in the 2021 Charlesbridge preview and don't know how I missed it the first time around. I love the art. Spare text allows for the focus to be on the art. Each Jack-o-lantern has a unique personality and evokes a different mood.

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for Halloween!

The illustrations are really good. All the pumpkins and the scary vibes!

However, I wish there was more to read as it's a storybook.

Thank you, author/artist and the publisher, for thr advance reading copy.

[Em]

I read the wrong pumpkin heads

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

With its simple text, and bright bold pictures, Pumpkin Heads! by Wendell Minor make Halloween (and all its festive finery) come alive. You'll be wishing Halloween was every month, as the holiday is rich with kid-friendly traditions and pleasantly frightening fun.


Used for "Pumpkins, Pumpkins Everywhere" Storytime-October, 2010.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can't go wrong with Wendell Minor. This is a very simple text about pumpkins that are carved into Jack-O-Lanterns, but the illustrations are so lifelike that at times I had to double take to check that they weren't photographs. Minor is one of the greats.

[M.M. Hudson · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I picked up this book, the title humored me. I was thinking about the trend that has happened the last couple of years of people photographing themselves with pumpkins on their heads. I am very wrong!

If you have a little one that loves the pumpkin patch or Halloween, then this is the book for them. This mostly picture book has very few words. It takes the "reader" on a little ride and shows different pumpkins in all of their glorious designs. Here you will see pumpkins on hay rides or peeking out of a haunted house.

Although, my reaction to it initially was wrong, it is still cute. I am sure really young kids would love talking and pointing at each page. Mostly that is the whole point of this book.

I can only give it though, 2 pumpkins and that is probably being generous. I think the author could have done much better in the writing part of the book.


Disclosure: I picked this book up from my local library. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle, Reading Authors Network

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pumpkin Heads is sure to delight with such lovely pictures. I love the dedication to the children. It is definitely worth adding to your fall and Halloween reading list.

There are so many activities to try with this book or a fall/Halloween lesson plan, unit study, or just to have a bucket list for some fun.
• Use this to help you discuss big/small.
• Do a science experiment to see if pumpkin can float in different forms.
• Go on a hayride.
• Decorate a real, paper or felt pumpkin.
• Learn about scare crows.
• Talk about different shapes and sizes using pumpkins.
• Perhaps try some painting or drawing. Go to a pumpkin patch.
• There are many printable online that would go well with this book.

Thank you Netgalley and Charlesbridge for this free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: October is here. It's time to pick a pumpkin!

Premise/plot: Pumpkin Heads is a picture book celebrating the carving of pumpkins for Halloween.

My thoughts: The text is simple and straight forward. Each spread shows off a...you guessed it...a pumpkin head. What makes this an interesting read--at least as an adult--are the illustrations. I absolutely love, love, love the illustrations. They are absolutely beautiful and so realistic.

I don't personally celebrate Halloween and I've never carved--or decorated--a pumpkin. But these illustrations are so wonderful.

I would recommend this one for those who *do* celebrate Halloween and do actually select pumpkins to carve.

The publisher, Charlesbridge, says it releases August 2021. But GoodReads has an earlier publishing date of 2000! My guess is this one is being reprinted.

[Alyvia Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

*spoiler’s*
- big spoiler
- friendship dynamic
The 4 stars comes back to relating. I think a lot of readers need to relate with what they are reading. I really understood the whole meaning of this text. Leaving is always hard. Friendship dynamics are always hard. No matter what. And life just gets more complicated when you are bisexual. Then you are about to leave for college and you get to juggle friendship dynamics through that process. It is never fun. While I don’t relate to bisexuality. I can relate to trying to navigate through different dynamics of growing up and not knowing what you are doing. While we don’t always know the way things are going to end this story follows a group that has a great friendship that some people don’t always have. And they should hold to that. Because I have learned, through reading books, and living life, that that’s what matters

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

One for schools and groups, this book shows us round the world of carved Hallowe'en pumpkins. With very little text it's going to only appeal for one or two Octobers at most, before a child's experience of Hallowe'en has surpassed what's on the page and they find this too simplistic. Where their experience comes into play, though, is with the incredible look of this book – the wonderful, wonderful hand-crafted art shows many great designs that you might like to experience making yourself. I think if any family were to keep this it would be as a sourcebook for potential pumpkin heads, then, for as an introductory lesson it didn't have the feel of being a keeper. Still four stars, tho, for the level of artistry.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wendell Minor dedicated this book to all pumpkin patch visitors - so that means this is the perfect book to read before your annual visit to pick your pumpkin! Plus there are some wonderfully inspiring ideas for pumpkin carving. My personal favorite was the cat peeking from the window. But I also liked the pumpkin snowman and the idea of carving the top of the pumpkin so you can use the stem for a nose! That is brilliant.
The illustrations are amazing however a few of the images are a little bit scary. So even thought the text is simple, you might not want to share it with a sensitive toddler or preschooler. But most kids will eat this up - along with the pumpkin seeds leftover from their pumpkin carving.
Thanks to #Net Galley for the advanced peek!

[Papergirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was awarded an ARC of this title in exchange for a fair review. I thank #netgalley, the publishers and Wendell Minor for the opportunity.

I really enjoyed the cover and found it quite inviting. The images within the book don't disappoint either. Judging by the language simplicity, I would pitch this book to preschoolers. It lacked any real plot, provided some loose facts and sweeping statements about the fate of 'all' pumpkins and had some ideas about what they turn into which was a false impression.

I thought the book could have been structured differently in parts and found as a result it was only average. 3/5 stars for effort.

[Vachara · Rating 4 out of 5]

PUMPKIN HEADS by Wendell Minor is definitely the book I would recommend to parents who are looking for a seasonal story to read to their kids, perfect after a day at the pumpkin farm.
In fact, it made me want to go to the farm myself, so maybe I'll go for a trip this Sunday.

No linear story here with characters as I had imagined, the book simply describes everything you can do with a pumpkin when you turn it into a pumpkin head.

The drawings that go with the text are beautiful with a retro aspect that I particularly appreciate.
A quick read then, perfect for a bedtime story for example.