Classic pumpkin books as well as new pumpkin books share space on this comprehensive list of pumpkin books for toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners and first graders. Some of these pumpkin books for kids are humorous, some are heartwarming, and many are both. Fiction as well as nonfiction titles are included. Whether you are looking for pumpkin books for students or for someone in your family, this list has many titles to choose from. Enjoy perusing this list of pumpkin books for children compiled by a veteran teacher librarian. Adults can enjoy them, too!
The Pumpkin Books Backstory
If you have ever looked for good books to share with kids, you will know that there are many to choose from. As I looked over the shelves of the five schools where I work as a librarian, I had a great time remembering the stories. Here are my favorites, organized by age and grade level. The fiction titles are listed first, followed by the nonfiction selections. A brief original summary accompanies each. I hope you find some great pumpkin books to enjoy with the little ones in your life.
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Pumpkin Books for Toddlers
Toddlers love to use their little fingers to explore. Chunky board books with textures are hallmarks of engaging toddler books. Here are a few fun ones for you to check out, perfect for a pumpkin-themed party.
| Fiction | |
| The Happy Pumpkin | Little ones will have fun with this pumpkin board book about kindness. |
| Biscuit Visits the Pumpkin Patch |
Who can resist that cute little yellow puppy, Biscuit? In this board book, he’s on a fall adventure to the pumpkin patch.
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| You’re My Little Pumpkin Pie |
Engage little hands in the interactive features of this adorable chunky board book that celebrates love between a parent and child.
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| Too Many Pumpkins |
Cozy up with this heartwarming story of a person who learns a lesson about unexpected blessings and how good it feels to give to others.
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| The Pumpkin Patch Parable | Share this sweet parable about autumn blessings and God’s love with a little precious person in your life. |
| It’s Pumpkin Time Little Farm | Take a nostalgic journey around a little farm at harvest time. |
| Nonfiction | |
| Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin, Pie |
Learn about the planting, growing, harvesting, and making use of pumpkins in this colorful picture book filled with glossy images.
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| Pumpkins (Celebrate Fall) | Take pleasure in learning about the wonders of fall in this colorful, simple book with easy-to-read text. |
Pumpkin Books for Preschoolers
Preschool students get a kick out of joining in with rhyming, repetitive text. Even though many aren’t able to read yet, they enjoy finding letters and numbers they recognize. Visually appealing photographs and illustrations help expand their world, feeding their curiosity. Have fun looking through the selection of titles below.
| Fiction | |
| The Littlest Pumpkin | When the littlest pumpkin gets left behind after the farm stand closes, an unexpected surprise awaits. |
| Pumpkin Magic |
Imagine what would happen if pumpkins came to life and went on a night time adventure. That’s what happens in this entertaining rhyming tale.
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| Pooh’s Pumpkin | Will the pumpkin seeds that Pooh planted ever sprout? Find out in this sweet beginning reader book. |
| Pete the Cat: Five Little Pumpkins |
Chant along with fan favorite Pete the Cat as this colorfully illustrated picture book offers a groovy new twist on the classic rhyme.
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| Pumpkins Pumpkins Everywhere |
Read the engaging rhyming text together with young listeners as you explore the many types of carved pumpkins throughout the story.
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| Nonfiction | |
| It’s a Fruit, It’s a Vegetable, It’s a Pumpkin |
Add this colorful beginning reader book to your easy reader library, if you are lucky enough to find a copy. The simple text and eye-catching photos make this nonfiction book about pumpkins a winner.
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| The Pumpkin Patch |
What goes on in a pumpkin patch? Get all of the information right here in this colorful, informative work of nonfiction.
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Pumpkin Books for Kindergarten
Counting books and rhyming books make great books for kindergarteners. Books about the pumpkin life cycle may be accompanied by hands-on activities. Here are some books perfect for kindergarten students to listen to or read.
| Fiction | |
| Sixteen Runaway Pumpkins |
Oh, dear. The sixteen pumpkins Sam picked for his grandpa have all fallen out of the wagon and rolled down the hill. What will Sam do? Count them, of course!
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| Pumpkin Town! |
Can a good thing become a bad thing? Yes, when there are too many! Find out what happens when a town is overrun by a pumpkin crop gone wild.
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| Big Pumpkin |
No one, not even a spooky witch or a big mummy, can move the big pumpkin so it can be made into a pie. It takes a smart little bat to show them what to do.
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| It’s Pumpkin Time | Join a brother and sister in their pumpkin patch efforts as they watch their pumpkins grow. |
| How Big Could Your Pumpkin Grow? |
What if your pumpkin could grow as big as Mount Rushmore, the Grand Canyon, or other famous landmarks? Spark imagination with this fantastic, engaging tale.
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| Pick a Pumpkin, Mrs. Millie |
Kindergarteners just can’t get enough of Mrs. Millie’s silliness. When the kindergarten class goes on a field trip to a farm, there are mixed up words galore.
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| Nonfiction | |
| Picking Apples and Pumpkins |
Follow a family as they visit an orchard and pumpkin patch, then return home to make things with their bounty. This book offers colorful photographs of the process.
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| From Seed to Pumpkin |
Part of the Let’s Read and Find Out Science Series, this colorfully illustrated book details the pumpkin life cycle.
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| Pumpkin Circle: The Story of a Garden |
Learn about the growing cycle from pumpkin seed back to pumpkin seed in a picture book about a backyard pumpkin patch.
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Pumpkin Books for First Grade
I have fond memories of my years as a first grade teacher. The pumpkin book list below includes some great read-aloud titles as well as some titles first graders may enjoy reading on their own. Pumpkins make a great first grade theme.
| Fiction | |
| The Vanishing Pumpkin |
Illustrated by Tomie DePaola, this imaginative tale relates the classic story of an old man and woman who set off in search of their missing pumpkin.
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| The Biggest Pumpkin Ever |
In this popular pumpkin favorite, two mice named Desmond and Clayton discover that they each have different plans for the same pumpkin. This book offers an excellent example of teamwork.
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| Pinky and Rex and the Perfect Pumpkin | Perfect for beginning readers, this sweet story tells a tale of pumpkins and friendship. |
| Pumpkin Jack |
Although this is a work of fiction, readers will learn about the pumpkin life cycle in this story of a pumpkin named Jack.
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| The Great Pumpkin Switch |
In this story from the past, two boys search for replacement pumpkins after they ruin those that were growing in the patch.
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| Pumpkin Soup |
When Duck disrupts the usual soup-making routine, how will three friends solve the problem? A recipe for pumpkin soup is included in this story about friendship and working together.
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| The Mystery of the Flying Orange Pumpkin |
Can pumpkins really fly? Learn about sharing and creatively solving a problem in this cleverly-illustrated book in which only the pumpkins are orange. Everything else is black and white.
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| The Perfect Pumpkin Pie | What do you feed a hungry, grumpy old ghost? A pumpkin pie, of course! |
| The Rough Patch |
In this touching book about love, loss, hope, and renewal, a pumpkin grows from a shriveled vine and makes its way to the county fair.
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| No Dinner: The Story of the Old Woman and the Pumpkin |
Will a frail old woman be clever enough to outwit a hungry fox, bear, and tiger in the woods? Will she ever get to visit her gradndaughter? Find out in this retelling of a traditional tale from Asia.
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| Pumpkin, Pumpkin |
How satisfying it is to be able to grow a pumpkin and save the seeds for next year, as happens in this winsome story of a boy named Jamie.
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| Snow Pumpkin | Desperate to find enough snow to complete her snowman, Lily hits on a winning solution involving a pumpkin. |
| Pumpkin Cat | Join cat and mouse as the two friends journey through the seasons and watch the garden grow. |
| The Pumpkin Smasher | Revisit childhood memories in this reprint of the classic tale of the mysterious pumpkin smasher of Cranbury. |
| Nonfiction | |
| Pumpkins |
Part of the First Step Nonfiction series, this book offers young readers an engaging look at the life cycle of a pumpkin.
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| The Pumpkin Book |
Learn about the different varieties of pumpkins and how to plant your own in this well-illustrated, engaging book filled with pumpkin facts.
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Let Your Pumpkin Creativity Shine
Wondering how to use all of the pumpkins in your patch? Looking for a fun book character activity? A book character pumpkin contest is a great way to be creative and share a love of books. Get loads of book character pumpkin ideas right here.
Host Your Own Book Character Pumpkin Contest with This Free Kit
Does a book character pumpkin contest seem like a fun idea? In the school libraries where I work, I had the students vote for their favorite. It helps if a lot of students are familiar with the book the character is from. If you decide to run your own book character pumpkin contest, I’ve made things easy for you. Get a free book character pumpkin certificate and promotional flyer right here. These templates are customizable, downloadable, printable, and FREE!
Get my free book character pumpkin contest kit!
Get a Handy Book Character Pumpkin Ebook
Would you like to have 27 book character pumpkin ideas in one easy-to-reference location? Get a 33-page interactive eBook, then flip right to the page you need to see. All of the book character pumpkins detailed in this comprehensive article are included. You will have access to a downloadable, printable version of the ebook as well.
Get my interactive essential guide to book character pumpkins!
Hosting a Pumpkin-Themed Party?
Serve up some delicious pumpkin treats or enjoy munching on some pumpkin-flavored snacks while reading these books about pumpkins. You could make some simple mini pumpkin pies, which is also a fun party activity. Whip up a batch of white chocolate chip pumpkin cookies as well. Yum!
Looking for More Book Ideas?
If you enjoyed this list of best children’s books about pumpkins, you might like these book lists as well:
- Best Funny Halloween Books for Kids
- Inspiring Technology Books for Kids
- Awesome Summer Reading Programs
- The Best Free eBook Deal For Kids and Teachers
- Best Christmas Books for Kids
- Best Valentine Books for Kids
- Best Coding Books and Websites for Kids
- Best Kids Books About Kindness
- Best Books for the First Day of School
- Best Thanksgiving Books for Kids
- Best Turkey Books for Kids
- Best Gingerbread Books for Kids
- Snow and Snowflake Books for Kids
- Best Frog Books for Kids
- Books About Cranberries
Request a Book List
Not seeing titles that fit with your needs? Request a free, customized book list tailored to your specifications. Just click here to get the process started. I’m all about matching people with books.
Have a wonderful week, and enjoy reading books about pumpkins!
Lisa Mitchell is a school librarian who likes to use her job as an excuse to stay up far too late reading books and noodling around with tech tools. To learn more about what this website has to offer, click on over to the About page.
These are such great pumpkin books for kids. Thanks so much for sharing your list!
You are most welcome! I hope you enjoy the pumpkin books.