From pumpkin spice lattes to pumpkin pie, it’s no secret that this festive orange fruit shines brightest during the fall. Here are four titles to share with readers of all ages who are fascinated by all things pumpkin.

Edwards, Lisa. Little Pumpkin: A First Halloween Story. illus. by Kat Kalindi. 12p. (You Are the Light: Bk. 2). Viking. Aug. 2022. Board $7.99. ISBN 9780593465189.
Baby-Toddler–In this spooky installment of the “You Are the Light” series, Little Pumpkin and Big Pumpkin welcome a cast of nighttime forest animals to the annual Halloween Ball. Under the moonlit night sky, Cat, Owl, Spider, and others tenderly express their love for Little Pumpkin using a repeating rhyme scheme: “You are the light that sparkles bright,/ when all around is darkest night./ Everyone gathers to see the sight./ Little Pumpkin, we love you!” ­Kalindi’s adorable stylized illustrations are clear and boldly colored, with the predictable combination of orange pumpkins against a purple background. However, there is not significant variation in the layout from spread to spread, which may cause readers to lose interest. The overall presentation is quite similar to the “You’re My Little” board books, but, unfortunately, Edwards’s book cannot compete with the spell of that series. Still, young readers and grown-ups who enjoy those books will want to try this one out. VERDICT A charming board book. Not an essential purchase, but sure to vanish from public library shelves at Halloween.–Emily Brush

Eliot, Hannah. I’m a Little Pumpkin. illus. by Anna Daviscourt. 14p. Little ­Simon. Jun. 2022. Board $6.99. ISBN 9781665915939.
Baby-Toddler–A descriptive, brightly colored board book showcases different types of pumpkins as they describe themselves to the tune of “I’m a Little Teapot.” A little pumpkin with green leaves is grown from a stem, a big green pumpkin sprouts up next to some beans, a round pumpkin is patterned with green stripes. All the pumpkins are excited about autumn. On each page, the pumpkins are aligned with various animals, including squirrels, ducks, and frogs. Little readers will learn about the season of autumn, which is depicted here with the orange, brown, and red leaves flying off the trees in unison. The pumpkins, drawn in anthropomorphic format, celebrate the joys of autumn as they hail the season. “When the leaves start turning, I will cheer for red and yellow and this time of year!” Daviscourt’s illustrations, which appear to be done in watercolor, clearly and brightly show the importance of fall colors to the season; most of the leaves on every page are a luminous combination of red and orange. With text and illustrations that match beautifully, this book shows the differences in pumpkins in a simple manner for young readers. VERDICT Great for any children’s room collection. Little ones will truly enjoy this story, especially when sung to the tune of the corresponding song.– Annmarie Braithwaite

Kurilla, Renée. Pumpkin Carving: The 9 Essential Designs & Techniques Everyone Should Know! illus. by Keith Zoo. 48p. (Show-How Guides). Odd Dot. Jul. 2022. pap. $6.99. ISBN 9781250784353.
Gr 4-6–Carving a pumpkin is a yearly tradition for many, and this book adds to the occasion. It starts with instructions for how to carve a basic Halloween pumpkin, and the projects get progressively harder as the book continues. Cute illustrations of pumpkins and jack-o’-lanterns sit alongside easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions. Readers can also learn how to create bird feeders out of pumpkins, and set up pumpkins as floral containers. The list of supplies included with each project is welcome and needed, and the pumpkin puree recipe at the end of the book is a nice touch. The author gives just enough instruction to inspire readers to think outside the pumpkin. VERDICT Simple, easy, and well-designed. Pumpkin carving is popular, and this book may inspire crafty carvers to take their designs to the next level.–Jami Livingston

Swift, Bella. The Pug Who Wanted to Be a Pumpkin. illus. by Nina Jones, et al. 160p. (The Pug Who Wanted to Be). Aladdin. Jul. 2022. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781534486911; pap. $7.99. ISBN 9781534486904.
Gr 2-4–Chloe and her pug Peggy are a tight-knit team. Everywhere Chloe goes, Peggy is right there by her side. Peggy has a ­special ability that no one else knows about: she can understand what humans say and talk with other animals, so she’s always in tune with what’s going on with Chloe and her family. In this Halloween edition of their adventures, there’s endless fun from a sleepover, piles of fall leaves, a scary old house, and jack-o’-lanterns. Most exciting is the planned Halloween party at the café her mom runs for pets and their owners. The only problem is that Chloe doesn’t know what costume she wants. Peggy knows that she doesn’t want any costume at all. In fact, she’d prefer to stay home where she’s safe from zombies and ghosts. However, she’d do anything for Chloe, so she lets Chloe dress the two of them up in matching pumpkin costumes, and she’s glad she does. The party is fun, and Peggy gets to talk with her friends and uncover the secret of the Ghost Dog. This early chapter book is a sweet, uncomplicated story enhanced with illustrations from Jones. Originally published in the UK, the book has a scattering of Briticisms that may stymie some readers and complicate comprehension. VERDICT An additional purchase where others in the series are popular.– Laura Fields Eason