The Littlest Pumpkin (Littlest)

PreS-Gr 1--This simple holiday book with a clear message about self-acceptance adds to Dougherty's "Littlest" series. Petey the pumpkin is the littlest pumpkin in the Spooky Woods pumpkin patch and looks forward to being selected for the pumpkin decorating contest. However, as the supernatural inhabitants of the Woods select their pumpkins, Petey tries to conform to their standards in order to be chosen. Finally, after all the members of his family are taken, a young mummy and witch select Petey because he is little, like them. There is not a scare to be found on the digitally illustrated pages, which makes the book appealing to the youngest and most timid readers. The "Spooky Woods" are made up of innocuous trees with curling boughs and cute toadstools. All of the characters, especially the smiling Petey, are adorable and friendly. Savvy readers may be saddened by the often-mentioned "next year," understanding that once Petey and his family are picked, they will not last much longer. However the intended young audience will likely miss this awkward aspect of anthropomorphizing a vegetable. While this book adds nothing new to the Halloween canon, the message of self-acceptance is still an important one. See also the similar title, Lucy Ruth Cummins's Stumpkin. VERDICT Add to collections with room on the holiday shelves that are in need of Halloween books for a younger audience.--Clara Hendricks