Big Pumpkin

This book by Erica Silverman is our favorite Halloween read. It's perfect for preschoolers because it's not scary, yet it still introduces the fun personalities of the season. A witch cares for a pumpkin in her garden, anticipating pumpkin pie for Halloween. When it grows too big to lift along come a ghost, a vampire and a mummy boasting of their size and strength. Each pulls and tugs but ultimately fails to snap the pumpkin from the vine.

And then a small bat flies by who really wants to help. He declares that he may not be the biggest or the strongest but he does have a good idea. So the bat pulls the mummy, the mummy pulls the vampire, the vampire pulls the ghost, the ghost pulls the witch, and the witch pulls the pumpkin. Wouldn't you know it. When they all work together, the pumpkin snaps off the vine and rolls down the hill right to the witches doorstep. The witch invites her new found friends to stay for a Halloween party, and they all enjoy the pumpkin pie together.

The author's use of repetition makes this a fun read aloud. The illustrations by S.D. Schindler are fabulous at depicting the motion, emotion and commotion in this story. It's a great way to introduce your child to the holiday or to the pleasure of a pumpkin pie. Check it out.