Grumpkin

by Nicola Edwards, Siân Roberts (illustrator)

Grumpkin the grumpy pumpkin is determined to get out of the pumpkin patch and leave the annoying season of fall behind in this humorous board book for children ages 2-5.

Grumpkin is a grumpy pumpkin who dislikes fall and Halloween. All those costumes and candy-obsessed kids...but the worst part is that Grumpkin has to babysit his five little cousins! Why couldn’t he have been a coconut on a tropical island instead? He’s determined to get out of this muddy pumpkin patch, and NO ONE is going to squash his dreams . . . .

Genres: Halloween, Picture Books, Childrens, Autumn, Holiday

24 pages, Board Book

Published July 1, 2025

About the author

Nicola Edwards was raised by the seaside in beautiful Brighton. She loves reading, dancing, rhyming and turquoise things. She now lives with her husband in East London and spends her days writing and editing children’s books.

Reviews

[Marcella Gonzales · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Had to review this before giving to my Squish.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was no motivating factor for him to miss his pumpkin patch other than he looks bad in the color red??

[Olivia]

See my full review here: https://yabookscentral.com/grumpkin/

GRUMPKIN is an overall cute board book about finding your place and realizing the grass isn't always greener. Grumpkin is a pumpkin who does not like fall or Halloween - he'd rather be a summer squash. When he gets his wish and goes to the beach, he finds that he doesn't enjoy it and ends up being glad to get home.

What I loved: This is a simple and cute story with fantastic illustrations. Grumpkin's negative personality comes across well in both the text and images. Bright colors and fun details add to the story well. The pages turn quickly, which works well for little readers, and the font is clear and easy to read throughout.

What left me wanting more: The story seemed to be missing something in terms of the lessons learned with a lack of resolution on the negativity. While Grumpkin seems glad to be home, it is unclear whether anything has changed or he has learned anything about appreciating what he has (or any other potential lessons).

Final verdict: GRUMPKIN is an overall cute board book about the grass not always being greener. Bright illustrations and a simple story will work well for toddlers.

Please note that I received ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: Hey, I'm Grumpkin. I'm a pumpkin (obviously), and no one ever lets me forget it. This is my least favorite time of year. I really can't stand Halloween. That's right, I said it. Why could I have been a summer squash instead? Or an orange soaking up the California sun? Or a coconut swaying on a palm tree on a desert island....that's the dream.

Premise/plot: Grumpkin does NOT want to be a pumpkin and he does NOT want to celebrate Halloween. Can Grumpkin ever learn to be content?

My thoughts: I liked this one well enough. Grumpkin is VERY grumpy, cranky, out of sorts. There is a lesson to be learned--obviously. And it's done in a story. This one has more story to it than many other 'Halloween' board books.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not every pumpkin is thrilled as Halloween approaches. With facial expressions that bring to mind that other curmudgeon, Grumpy Monkey, this pumpkin dreams of being any other orange fruit or vegetable but what he is. To illustrate his misery, he describes how boring it is to sit on a porch step or be decorated. UGH! Longing for escape, he finds a clever way to leave the patch for paradise. However, it's not what he expected, and he gets a sunburn, feels lonely, and even misses all that candy corn. Perhaps home really is that pumpkin patch and those other pumpkins he grew up with. This funny take on a miserable pumpkin will amuse young readers, who may never look at a pumpkin in quite the same way again.

[A Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Grumpkin does not like Halloween and dreams of being a different type of food and/or taking an island vacation. However, after getting sunburnt, realizing that candy corn doesn't grow on trees, and becoming lonely, Grumpkin happily returns to the pumpkin patch. "There in no place like home."

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute.

[Paulette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, but also not enough?

[Hailey Corman · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s no place like home, Halloween version. Great theme also “the grass is always greener on the other side”. Great themes to teach children.

[TJE · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just not super interested, Curious why he was grumpy. Not a read that we'll do again.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grumping just wants to escape the pumpkin patch.
Great easy reader book for young readers.

[Jazmin Castillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great Halloween book for pre-K and under

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Grumpkin is a grumpkin pumpkin who doesn't like Halloween.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a Grumpkin to my core :) This is the best little Halloween board book for maximizing giggles from the whole family.

[Jeanette "Josie" Cook M.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

My class really got into a story about a pumpkin discovering his true sense of home after visiting other places. The season is fitting. We are in autumn.

Nothing squashes his dreams.