While we have had the “being different is okay” story, this one (Christopher Pumpkin) is done a tad differently making it fresh. Sue Hendra, Paul Linnet and Nick East create a story that, while perfect for Halloween (after all they are getting ready for a Halloween party) it can also be an anytime tale.
Christopher is a pumpkin who is created by a witch. Along with other pumpkins, the witch has asked them to do all the dirty work and heavy lifting to get ready for the witches spooky Halloween party. However, Christopher would rather put up bunting then spiderwebs and is not exactly what she had in mind when she wanted spooky. The other pumpkins think he’ll never be able to scare them, but still Christopher is given on more chance (or he can leave) to help. Will Christopher prove he can be scary, or will he leave the witches home? Told in the Night Before Christmas format, this is a story for the quirky kid in all of us.
Christopher Pumpkin can be the perfect pairing with She Wanted to Be Haunted by Marcus Ewert as the themes (being yourself and the right place will happen) do come to play. Of course, there is a slight twist that I saw coming (no brag, just fact) in Christopher Pumpkin. And that twist is the only way this book could end. The fun part of this book is all ages can enjoy, but it is aimed at the slightly older reader. Adults will get a kick out it.
All you need to know about the art is what the cover gives you. There is spooky and there is the cute. There are Halloween colors and the details vary from page to page, but can be busy and there is a lot going on to see as well as read. It is a goofy, fun, sweeet treat that won’t rot your teeth!
