Childrens Books About Pumpkins
These Children’s Books about Pumpkins are a fun way to get ready for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Fall fun! Be sure to check out my book recommendations for all ages!
All of these pumpkin books are full of fun stories, pictures, and great learning fun. Great for early readers – but perfect for everyone to read!
If the kids love all things pumpkins, they’re not going to want to miss out on this list of great book ideas!
How do I make reading fun for young learners?
Reading becomes fun when it feels like play, not homework! Here are some simple, effective ways to make reading fun for preschool-aged learners:
- Celebrate Small Wins – Praise effort, not just outcomes, to build confidence and excitement.
- Pick Engaging Books – Choose colorful, interactive stories with themes they love and are interested in.
- Use Voices & Expressions – Read aloud with silly voices, sound effects, and dramatic pauses to bring the story to life.
- Make It Interactive – Ask questions (“What do you think happens next?”) or let them act out parts of the story.
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- Create a Cozy Reading Spot – A blanket fort, beanbag chair, or special “reading nook” makes it feel like an adventure.
- Add Movement – Use books with actions (“jump,” “clap,” “roar”) to keep little bodies engaged.
- Connect Books to Real Life – If you read a pumpkin story, carve a pumpkin, bake pumpkin muffins, or visit a pumpkin patch afterward.
- Give Choices – Let them pick their book so they feel in charge of their reading time.
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How often should kids read daily?
Aim for daily reading in bite-sized, enjoyable sessions—quality over quantity. For most kids, the sweet spot is 15–30 minutes a day. Here’s a quick breakdown by age:
- Toddlers & Preschoolers (ages 2–5): 10–15 minutes of shared reading (often broken into short sessions).
- Early Elementary (ages 5–8): 15–20 minutes of daily reading, plus listening to parents read aloud.
- Upper Elementary (ages 8–12): 20–30 minutes a day of independent reading.
Consistency matters more than length. Even short daily sessions build vocabulary, comprehension, and a love for books.
Fal Printables
More Pumpkin Activities
- Easy Pumpkin Recipes
- Pumpkin Crafts to Make this Fall
- Pumpkin Cobbler
- Easy Pumpkin Recipes
- No-Carve Pumpkins Crafts
- 100 Printable Pumpkin Carving Patterns
- P is for Pumpkins
1
The Pumpkin Book
The Pumpkin Book (Holiday, 1999) explains the planting, cultivating, and harvesting of pumpkins using bold illustrations and simple text. The book is narrated by Polly Collier in a deliberate, unenthusiastic manner that emergent readers might find boring. She carefully explains the page-turn signals (on Side A only) and that the words at the bottom of the page are read first and then the words on the upper “picture” section of the page are read.
See it here
2
Big Pumpkin
The witch has grown the biggest pumpkin ever, and now she wants to make herself a pumpkin pie for Halloween. But the pumpkin is so big she can't get it off the vine.It's so big the ghost can't move it, either. Neither can the vampire, nor the mummy. It looks as if there'll be no pumpkin pie for Halloween, until along comes the bat with an idea to save the day.How can the tiny bat succeed where bigger and strong spooky creatures have failed? You'll be surprised!
See it here
3
The Pumpkin Patch Parable
The Pumpkin Patch Parable-This charming story for children illustrates how a loving farmer can turn a simple pumpkin into a simply glorious sight. In the same way, God's transforming love can fill each of our hearts with joy and light.
See it here
4
Goodnight Pumpkin
This is a fun Halloween twist on the classic story, “Goodnight Moon.” On this dark Halloween night, it is time for everyone to say goodnight. With beautiful illustrations and fun rhyming text, this book will surely be a favorite.
See it here
5
From Seed to Pumpkin
Pumpkins can be baked in a pie, carved into jack-o'-lanterns, and roasted for a healthy snack. But how does a tiny seed turn into a big pumpkin? With clear text and detailed, colorful illustrations, this book explains what a pumpkin seed needs to help it grow! This book also includes delicious pumpkin recipes and easy experiments to do with pumpkin seeds.
See it here
6
Pumpkin Spice
Anna and her community gardening friends are excited for the Windy City Pumpkin Fest but then their prize pumpkin disappears in the second book in the Friendship Garden series.
See it here
7
The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin
One day in the pumpkin patch the strangest little pumpkin hatched . . . Spookley the Pumpkin was different. All the other pumpkins teased him, until Spookley proved that being different can save the day!
See it here
8
9
The Roll-Away Pumpkin
A little girl chases her giant pumpkin all over town with some help along the way. Featuring a cast of delightful characters and beautifully illustrated with memorable scenes, you’ll love reciting “Diddle-dee-doo! Oh, what shall I do?” together with your little pumpkin.
See it here
10
Nature Stories: Little Pumpkin-Discover an Amazing Story from the Natural World: Padded Board Book
Have you ever wondered how a tiny seed can turn into a giant pumpkin? This stunningly illustrated story offers a perfect introduction to the life cycle of pumpkins.
See it here
11
How Big Could Your Pumpkin Grow?
Every year, giant pumpkin contests take place at fairs across the country—the 2012 record-holder weighed over a ton! The latest craze is to carve the most enormous pumpkins into racing boats. But what’s next? Why not think really big? This celebration of famous landmarks and landscapes plays with concepts of size and scale and is full of fun facts.
See it here
12
Pick a Pumpkin
Readers will be happy to follow along with each step, from picking out the perfect specimen at the pumpkin patch (be sure to stop for cider and toffee apples) to carting it home, scooping out the insides, carving a scary face, and finally lighting a candle inside — savoring the familiar ritual of transforming an ordinary pumpkin into a one-of-a-kind glowing jack-o’-lantern.
See it here
13
Pumpkin Day!: A Festive Pumpkin Book for Kids
Carve out family time for this Halloween Step 1 Step into Reading early reader! Read along as a boy and his family visit a pumpkin patch to pick out perfect autumn gourds!
See it here
14
Rocket and the Perfect Pumpkin
It's a beautiful day at the pumpkin patch! There, Rocket and Bella find the perfect pumpkin. But as the friends try to take the pumpkin home, it rolls downhill and lands in front of Mr. Barker's doghouse. Can Rocket and Bella get their pumpkin back?
See it here
15
Pumpkin Soup: A Picture Book
Deep in the woods in an old white cabin, three friends make their pumpkin soup the same way every day. The Cat slices up the pumpkin, the Squirrel stirs in the water, and the Duck tips in just enough salt. But one day the Duck wants to stir instead, and then there is a horrible squabble, and he leaves the cabin in a huff. It isn't long before the Cat and the Squirrel start to worry about him and begin a search for their friend.
See it here
16
Splat the Cat and the Pumpkin-Picking Plan
When Splat goes to the pumpkin patch with Seymour, he’s determined to find the biggest pumpkin ever. But when he finally does, Splat finds out the real challenge isn't the pumpkin picking—it's how to get the pumpkin home!
See it here
17
The Biggest Pumpkin Ever
Once there were two mice who fell in love with the same pumpkin….Desmond the field mouse wants to carve the biggest jack-o'-lantern in the neighborhood with his pumpkin.
See it here
18
The Berenstain Bears and the Prize Pumpkin
It's November, and the Bear family are entering the Thanksgiving Festival's Big Pumpkin Contest. Will winning be the only thing that matters, or will the Bear family learn about the true meaning of Thanksgiving?
See it here
19
Rosco The Rascal Visits The Pumpkin Patch
On a sunny autumn day, ten-year-old James and seven-year-old Mandy set out to choose their pumpkins for Halloween on the family's annual trip to the countryside. This time they're taking along their new German shepherd, Rosco, whose innocent mischief soon lands him on his leash.
See it here
20
The Vanishing Pumpkin
When a 700-year-old woman and an 800-year-old man want to make pumpkin pie on Halloween, they can’t find their pumpkin. “Our pumpkin’s been snitched,” cries the woman. And off they go to find it.
See it here
21
Duck & Goose, Find a Pumpkin: A Board Book for Kids and Toddlers
Duck & Goose look everywhere for a pumpkin-in the apple tree, in the leaf pile, inside a hollow log…. Where will they find one? Perfect for your favorite fall holidays, and a fun read-a-long for fans of Duck and Goose any time of year!
See it here
22
Marley: Marley and the Runaway Pumpkin
Marley's family wants their giant pumpkin to win a prize at the fair. But on the big day, their silly dog sends the pumpkin on a wild ride instead!
See it here
Which of these pumpkin books for kids are they going to read first?
This is a great collection. It is so hard to find good fall books. Everything gets lost in Christmas! Thanks for sharing these.