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Runaway Pumpkins
A new fall favorite perfect for storytime.A class trip to the pumpkin patch almost ends in disaster in this rollicking tale of resourcefulness and resilience.The old adage of "when life hands you lemons, make lemonade" is reborn with pumpkins! When a bumpy road and a faulty bus storage lock release a load of handpicked pumpkins back into the wild, the students on a field trip are left with a single pumpkin. Pluckily, they decide to take what they have and do what they can. Together they decorate the only surviving pumpkin for their harvest fair.But good fortune comes knocking the next day when a group of kind neighbors arrives at the school. They found the smashed pumpkins and turned them into celebratory seasonal fare, perfect for yummy soup, cake, pie, and even fries!
32 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 4, 2020
1 person is currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Teresa Bateman
38 books54 followersTeresa Bateman was born in Moscow, Idaho, but moved to Washington State when she was three-years-old and that's where she has lived most of her life.
An avid writer and reader, Teresa has been making up stories and poems since she was in grade school. "To me it was as natural as breathing," says Teresa.
In school Teresa would drive her teachers crazy by 'creatively' completing assignments. She always met the letter of their assignment, if not the spirit. She worked hard to inject some humor into her work, knowing that the teachers would be reading hundreds of papers and wanting hers to stand out. It worked.
Teresa took English classes for fun in college and when she applied for a Washington State Teaching credential, the state looked at her transcripts and added an endorsement to teach English through the 12th grade!
Teresa cites her teacher Donnell Hunter at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, as having a big influence on her and her writing. He published a class magazine to which the class submitted their work under pen names. Their grades depended on how many stories were included in the magazine. Teresa submitted under about 15 different pen names--just to be annoying! But she knew her work was being judged on its merits alone. Mr. Hunter encouraged her journal writing and instilled in Teresa good writing habits that she continues to this day.
Teresa served an 18-month mission for her church in Argentina, and taught school for a year in Honduras. She also taught school briefly in St. Mary's, Alaska -- a little bush village with a population of 500 in the winter and 50 in the summer. She has been a librarian in the Federal Way School District in Washington for over 30 years.
Teresa writes every single day. She also works full-time, so that means some days she doesn't write much, but she always writes. When at home, Teresa's special spot for writing has a good view of the lilac bushes outside. A picture of a winding path through gentle rolling hills and meadows hangs on the wall. She tells herself, when stuck for an idea, that the story lies at the end of that path.
Teresa lives in Tacoma, Washington.
An avid writer and reader, Teresa has been making up stories and poems since she was in grade school. "To me it was as natural as breathing," says Teresa.
In school Teresa would drive her teachers crazy by 'creatively' completing assignments. She always met the letter of their assignment, if not the spirit. She worked hard to inject some humor into her work, knowing that the teachers would be reading hundreds of papers and wanting hers to stand out. It worked.
Teresa took English classes for fun in college and when she applied for a Washington State Teaching credential, the state looked at her transcripts and added an endorsement to teach English through the 12th grade!
Teresa cites her teacher Donnell Hunter at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, as having a big influence on her and her writing. He published a class magazine to which the class submitted their work under pen names. Their grades depended on how many stories were included in the magazine. Teresa submitted under about 15 different pen names--just to be annoying! But she knew her work was being judged on its merits alone. Mr. Hunter encouraged her journal writing and instilled in Teresa good writing habits that she continues to this day.
Teresa served an 18-month mission for her church in Argentina, and taught school for a year in Honduras. She also taught school briefly in St. Mary's, Alaska -- a little bush village with a population of 500 in the winter and 50 in the summer. She has been a librarian in the Federal Way School District in Washington for over 30 years.
Teresa writes every single day. She also works full-time, so that means some days she doesn't write much, but she always writes. When at home, Teresa's special spot for writing has a good view of the lilac bushes outside. A picture of a winding path through gentle rolling hills and meadows hangs on the wall. She tells herself, when stuck for an idea, that the story lies at the end of that path.
Teresa lives in Tacoma, Washington.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
August 18, 2020
Stephanie Fizer Coleman's brightly colored illustrations accompany Teresa Bateman's poetic story of a class going on probably their favorite field trip, to a pumpkin farm! In these times full of wishes that there could be a happy day like this, it's fun to see the kids scatter to choose exactly which pumpkin is a favorite, "This one, that one–which to pick?" Pick they do, load them up, say goodby to the cows and pigs and travel back to school. That is certainly not all the story. A jolt in the bus, bins fly open and pumpkins roll out, unbeknownst to all. Heavy disappointment follows at school, but there is a surprise, the enormous one tied on top has made it and everyone decides to share. In the meantime, those "Runaway Pumpkins" have been found by neighbors. The nicest thing happens as a surprise to the students! In different forms--pie, cookies, even fries! Bonus! There is a recipe at the back for pumpkin cookies with caramel frosting.
Thanks to Charlesbridge for this copy!
Thanks to Charlesbridge for this copy!
March 3, 2022
Originally Published in August of 2020, Runaway Pumpkins tells the story of a class field trip to the pumpkin patch that takes an unexpected turn. We follow along as the class visits the pumpkin patch and picks their favorite pumpkins, but they unfortunately lose all but one pumpkin on the way back to the school. Luckily, their neighbors who find pumpkins strewn about their lawns come up with a creative way to bring the pumpkins back to the class.
The illustrations by Stephanie Fizer Coleman are so whimsical and warm, perfectly capturing an autumn afternoon. Complete with a recipe for caramel frosted pumpkin cookies in the back matter, Runaway Pumpkins is a great pick to celebrate fall with young readers.
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The illustrations by Stephanie Fizer Coleman are so whimsical and warm, perfectly capturing an autumn afternoon. Complete with a recipe for caramel frosted pumpkin cookies in the back matter, Runaway Pumpkins is a great pick to celebrate fall with young readers.
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October 30, 2020
Picture book, realistic fiction told in rhyme. A class gets on the school bus to take their trip to a pumpkin patch. They spread out to find their perfect pumpkins, and manage to get them all on the bus (even the one gigantic one, which as another reviewer mentioned would not be allowed on a class trip). However, on the way back to school the storage bins open, and the pumpkins tumble out, with the exception of the giant one riding on the top of the bus. The children are disappointed but manage to share the one big one. The next day, the neighbors come to the harvest fair with pumpkin dishes made from the remains of the found pumpkins. This could be fun to read with certain children, but I can also see how some children might get upset-- the kids didn't get their pumpkins, the pumpkins were "hurt." etc. It does emphasize that pumpkins can be used as foods, which not every child realizes. The class in the story is of various skin tones, which is always appreciated. Includes a recipe for caramel frosted pumpkin cookies.
September 4, 2020
What was going on with some of these rhymes? "Children chuckle--chitter-chatter--/noisy, but it doesn't matter." WHAT was THAT?! No. Just no.
I loved the girl reading perpetually. I loved the community spirit.
However, going to get pumpkins on a field trip does NOT work like this. You pay your exorbitant field trip fee. You sit with your assigned field trip partner (usually not your first choice, oh well). You get to the pumpkin patch, and they tell you which field you get to go to and pick from and WHAT SIZE you get. This is important. None of this giant pumpkin nonsense! Everyone gets roughly the same sized pumpkin, or let me tell you what, it will be pumpkin anarchy! You pay a lot for a tiny pumpkin, because after all, your child has to tote this thing home on the bus, and THAT my friends is how it works.
I loved the girl reading perpetually. I loved the community spirit.
However, going to get pumpkins on a field trip does NOT work like this. You pay your exorbitant field trip fee. You sit with your assigned field trip partner (usually not your first choice, oh well). You get to the pumpkin patch, and they tell you which field you get to go to and pick from and WHAT SIZE you get. This is important. None of this giant pumpkin nonsense! Everyone gets roughly the same sized pumpkin, or let me tell you what, it will be pumpkin anarchy! You pay a lot for a tiny pumpkin, because after all, your child has to tote this thing home on the bus, and THAT my friends is how it works.
October 29, 2021
A rhyming story of a class field trip to the pumpkin patch. Each child picks their favorite pumpkin and they are on their way back to school. But there's a problem: the compartment holding the pumpkins wasn't closed all the way and the class's pumpkins went rolling away into a neighborhood. The kids are devastated, but a classmate points out that they have the giant pumpkin on top of the bus that they could all decorate together.
Meanwhile, the neighbors gather the pumpkin pieces and create delicious treats to surprise the kids with at the festival where the giant pumpkin is on display.
A good book to teach making the best of a bad situation as well as being a fantastic fall/Halloween story. Four stars, not five, due to the inclusion of the word "snafu". Short for "situation normal all f&^%$d up". Not appropriate. I bet parents are going to stumble over that one!
Meanwhile, the neighbors gather the pumpkin pieces and create delicious treats to surprise the kids with at the festival where the giant pumpkin is on display.
A good book to teach making the best of a bad situation as well as being a fantastic fall/Halloween story. Four stars, not five, due to the inclusion of the word "snafu". Short for "situation normal all f&^%$d up". Not appropriate. I bet parents are going to stumble over that one!
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December 5, 2020Students go on a school field trip to the pumpkin patch, but the bus's hatches aren't latched shut! On the ride home, all are lost to the bumpy road (except one giant pumpkin). The kids make do with the pumpkin they have left, and the folks who lived in the houses where the picked pumpkins fell off the bus make the kids delicious pumpkin-flavored treats.
A cute enough story told in rhyme, fun for a preschool or kindergarten setting. A few rhymes feel forced, but overall this reads pleasantly. I appreciate the student who is constantly reading, no matter what her classmates are busy doing.
A cute enough story told in rhyme, fun for a preschool or kindergarten setting. A few rhymes feel forced, but overall this reads pleasantly. I appreciate the student who is constantly reading, no matter what her classmates are busy doing.
Read
August 17, 2021This is a cute book about a class field trip to the pumpkin patch that goes awry when the chosen gourds fall off the school bus. Luckily, creative students and townspeople save the day - students elect to work together to carve and decorate one giant jack-o-lantern and the townspeople collect the smashed pumpkins to turn into all manner of pumpkin treats. This would be a fun read before a class or family trip to the pumpkin patch.
October 14, 2025
We read this for our Pumpkin themed story time. When a class goes on a field trip to the pumpkin patch, they're very excited to bring home their very own pumpkins. Unfortunately, the pumpkins wind up smashed and scatted around a cul-de-sac. However, some helpful neighbors return the pumpkins the next day in the form of stew, bread, and even BBQ. This is a fun, rhyming story about making the best of a bad situation and the importance of being a good neighbor.
November 7, 2020
That was pretty adorable, and I did really like the warm illustration style. A school class goes to the pumpkin patch, but on the way home, all the pumpkins they selected fall out of the bus. They all join together to carve the big pumpkin that was tied on the roof. Cute!
November 10, 2020
3.5
Rhyming autumnal book about children who go on a field trip to pick pumpkins. A good selection for fall story time.
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Rhyming autumnal book about children who go on a field trip to pick pumpkins. A good selection for fall story time.
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
January 8, 2021
The pumpkins go missing from the school bus on the way back to school. The children make due with the only pumpkin left. Neighbors who saw the pumpkin debacle picked up the smashed pumpkins and made sweet treats for all to enjoy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2021
What starts out as a typical pumpkin picking story (told in flowing, rhythmic rhyme), turns out to be a surprising tale of making the most out of a disaster. Includes a recipe for caramel frosted pumpkin cookies at the back!
April 6, 2021
An adorably fun picture book to share with your kiddos around fall when the nights grow long and the pumpkins grow wide. The message of kindness, sharing and community is so beautiful and makes everyone wish they could create their own version of this collectiveness.
July 26, 2022
An absolutely adorable rhyming story about a class field trip to pick out pumpkins. When a twist in the story happens we get to see the kids use teamwork, and have a sense of community to turn this surprise around.
August 28, 2022
This is such a cute book. I love the rhymes! There’s not much of a moral message - pumpkins roll down the hill, the children make the best of having just one pumpkin, and are rewarded with pumpkin yummies - but I thought it was major fun and a great way to celebrate fall with the little one.
November 10, 2022
Runaway Pumpkins features many themes including making the best of what you have, your community coming together to support you, and just having a great day at the pumpkin patch and how a mistake can turn out okay in the end. I would read this to my future classes.
August 6, 2020
Loved it!
September 24, 2020
HOW CHARMING
October 9, 2020
A very cute story about kids going on a school trip to pick pumpkins. This would make a great lower elementary read aloud for fall.
October 15, 2020
3.5 - 4
October 21, 2020
Delightful rhyming read aloud.
October 25, 2020
This is a cute story and perfect for the class that goes on a field trip to the pumpkin patch.
October 31, 2020
The perfect book to share before a visit to the local pumpkin patch!
November 12, 2020
Good read aloud before a class field trip to a pumpkin patch.
December 8, 2020
Such a cute book! I love how the community comes together in a creative way when the pumpkins get away!
April 25, 2021
Great writing, cute story, great illustrations. We love it!
—read when son was 21 months
—read when son was 21 months
October 19, 2021
Prodigious is a big word.
November 2, 2021
Nice read 🎃!
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November 14, 2021Cute story about pumpkin getting loose
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews