The Great Pumpkin Strikes Again!

by Ron Fontes (Adaptor), Justine Korman Fontes (Adaptor), Tom Brannon (Illustrator)

When Peppermint Patty decides to join Linus in keeping watch for the Great Pumpkin, Linus is happy to have his friend as a companion on the important night, but when the truth is revealed that Peppermint Patty is there to make a special request for a new baseball glove, Linus banishes her from the patch and continues the vigil all alone. Original.

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

24 pages, Paperback

First published August 10, 2004

About the author

Ron Fontes was born in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in Clarksville, Tennessee. Ron has been an actor, art director, bellhop, cartoonist, housepainter, makeup artist, scene painter, standup comic, and was once an artist for Marvel Comics.

Reviews

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

A soulless, humorless adaptation of some of Charles M. Schulz's comic strips into a picture book story. This fell short for my daughter when she was four-years-old, but she'd already had the real stuff by then and was also unwilling to accept watered-down substitutes.

[Edward Sojuwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A new kid's novel set in the Peanuts Charlie Browniverse once the brainchild of Charles Schulz is the first revisitation of a legend which began in the insecure mind of Mr Security Blanket himself Linus Van Pelt, and for some reason he hasn't let it go. It's the Legend of the Great Pumpkin who is rumored to seek a pumpkin patch that is most sincere (which hardly makes sense since all pumpkin patches are as sincere as All-American Agriculture itself. Like John Steinbeck sincere! (Mostly.) This year he has none other than Peppermint Patty at his side, making her the only one who has bought the Great Pumpkin shtick. Lucy? That's her dumb little brother, so don't ask. Sally? She won't hang with her "sweet babboo" since she remembers last time this happened: Linus drags her to the patch, they wait for ol' Pumpkinhead.... No Pumpkinhead. Just Snoopy hunting the pumpkins for that bastard Red Baron! But Peppermint will believe him, since Peppermint believes anything nonsensical. The more nonsensical, the better she will believe it. Wow! Maybe she will believe in a kind and loving God!!!.... Or not. Knowing that Pumpkinhead brings toys to kids every Halloween (yeah right, he's competing for Santa's business. SUUUURE!) Peppermint asks for one present only: a new baseball glove. Linus freaks when she tells him her request! The Pumpkin is....OFFENDED BY HER REQUEST FOR A PRESENT (so Linus says) and only gives out what you're gonna get. Which gives me the idea.....WHAT IF Linus is fabricating his Pumpkin story to shy away from trick or treating? Is he too scared to be with others to celebrate the Octoberfestivities of wearing ghost sheets and going door to door for candy bars? Is Linus that insecure? Hmmmm. I'll let you decide this one. Until then, see ya on Thanksgiving!!! Lol!
Three stars
Peanuts are back to PUMPKIN YOU UP!

[Tashin Abdullah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is fun, heartwarming read that brings back the classic Peanuts charm and Halloween magic. I enjoyed the art work and the story.

[Cara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A continuation of the Great Pumpkin. It goes as you'd expect, from Linus getting a follower to the Great Pumpkin not showing up again.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not Halloween without something Great Pumpkin related. A Peanuts Halloween story that would be enjoyable for those familiar with Peanuts characters and even more so for those familiar with the original Great Pumpkin story. Enjoyed it, but not meant for story time.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a weakness for Charlie Brown stories. I blame being a child of the '80s.