13 Falltastic Pumpkin Books for Kindergarten (and a Pumpkin Craft)
As the leaves turn golden and the air gets crisper, it’s that magical time of year again—back to school! For kindergarten teachers, fall is the perfect season to introduce little learners to the wonders of pumpkins. Pumpkins are not just great for carving and decorating; they’re also fantastic for engaging young minds through back-to-school read-alouds. These adorable pumpkin books for kindergarteners are ideal for any fall activities or lesson plans. Plus, your students will love the paper bag pumpkin craft!
When to Teach About Pumpkins
The best time to teach about pumpkins is in the fall, ideally from late September through November. This period aligns perfectly with the pumpkin harvest season and Halloween, making pumpkins a relevant and exciting topic. Teaching about pumpkins during this time can tie into lessons about the fall season, harvest, and even Halloween traditions. Don’t forget you can also learn about acorns and apples during the fall as well!
How Pumpkins Relate to the Kindergarten Curriculum
Pumpkins can be integrated into various areas of the kindergarten curriculum, and using the list of pumpkin books can make integrating ELA into other subject areas very easy:
- Science: Teach the pumpkin life cycle, from little pumpkin seeds to huge pumpkins. Discuss parts of a pumpkin and how pumpkins grow.
- Math: Use pumpkins for counting activities, skip counting, or line them up from smallest to largest. Make pumpkin soup and teach students about simple measurements and differences between cups, tablespoons, etc.
- Literacy: Read pumpkin-themed books and have discussions, story retelling, and creative writing prompts.
- Art: Create pumpkin crafts and art projects to enhance fine motor skills and creativity.
- Social Studies: Explore the history and cultural significance of pumpkins, especially around Halloween and Thanksgiving. Plan a field trip to a local pumpkin patch for a pumpkin hunt, or bring students to a pumpkin town to pick their own pumpkins!
13 Pumpkin Books for Kindergarteners
Here are ten fantastic pumpkin-themed books that are perfect for your fall read-alouds, and they are definitely some of my favorite pumpkin books for kindergarteners:
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The Biggest Pumpkin Ever by Steven Kroll
This cute story follows two little mice who unknowingly care for the same pumpkin. As each mouse tends to the pumpkin, it grows into a giant pumpkin, teaching a gentle lesson about cooperation and sharing.
Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman
This fun Halloween book features a witch who grows an enormous pumpkin but struggles to pull it off the vine. With the help of a ghost, a vampire, and a mummy, she learns the power of teamwork. The rhythmic text and engaging illustrations make this a great read for young children.
How Big Could Your Pumpkin Grow? by Wendell Minor
This beautiful book explores the fascinating pumpkin life cycle with educational and whimsical touches. Through vivid artwork and engaging narrative, Minor takes readers on a journey from a tiny pumpkin seed to a full-grown pumpkin.
Pumpkin Circle: The Story of a Garden by George Levenson
This nonfiction book provides a comprehensive look at the pumpkin life cycle, from planting seeds to harvesting and eventually rotting back into the earth. Perfect for science lessons and discussions about nature.
Pick a Pumpkin by Patricia Toht
This charming book captures the magic of a family’s trip to the pumpkin patch. With lyrical text and charming illustrations, it highlights the joys of fall traditions and is an ideal read for kindergarteners.
Pumpkin, Pumpkin by Jeanne Titherington
This sweet book follows a little boy named Jamie, who plants a pumpkin seed and watches it grow. The simple text and soft illustrations make it a perfect educational read for young learners.
Pete the Cat: Five Little Pumpkins by James Dean
This festive Halloween read features Pete the Cat and adapts the classic “Five Little Pumpkins” rhyme with vibrant illustrations and Pete’s groovy personality. A great story for fall storytime.
Spookley the Square Pumpkin by Joe Troiano
Spookley, the square pumpkin, teaches children about acceptance and diversity. It’s a fun story about a unique pumpkin who, despite being different, becomes a hero.
Pumpkin Jack by Will Hubbell
Follow the journey of Jack, a jack-o’-lantern who starts as a Halloween decoration and eventually decomposes, leading to new pumpkin growth. This book provides a fascinating look at the pumpkin life cycle.
Little Boo by Stephen Wunderli
This story follows a tiny pumpkin seed who dreams of becoming scary. As the seasons change, the seed grows into a pumpkin ready for Halloween. It is a great book for discussing plant life cycles and patience.
How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin? by Margaret McNamara
This delightful educational story follows Mr. Tiffin’s class as they explore pumpkin seeds through counting and estimating. It is perfect for integrating math concepts with a fun, seasonal topic.
From Seed to Pumpkin by Wendy Pfeffer
This engaging book from the “Let’s Read-and-Find-Out Science” series explains the pumpkin’s life cycle with clear explanations and colorful illustrations.
Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin, Pie by Jill Esbaum
This charming picture book guides young readers through the seasonal journey of a pumpkin, from a tiny seed to a delicious pie. It captures the magic of autumn harvests with rhythmic text and delightful illustrations.
Pumpkin Paper Bag Craft Activity
To complement these wonderful pumpkin books, here’s a fun and simple craft activity that your kindergarteners will enjoy.
Materials:
- Small paper bags
- Orange, pink, white, green, and black construction paper/cardstock/colored paper
- Glue or tape
- Markers
- Scissors
Pumpkin Paper Bag Craft Instructions:
Gather your supplies and get ready to make the cutest pumpkin paper bag craft!
Print the template for the pumpkin on white paper to use as a template. You can download the free printable template at the end of this post.
Trace the pumpkin shapes onto the orange paper using the white template.
Add black lines to each of the pumpkin parts.
Trim the top of the paper bag to make it shorter (save part of the bag for the stem). Use tape or glue to attach the top and bottom of the pumpkin to the paper bag.
Draw a semicircle or smile on the paper bag. Cut two small circles out of the pink paper and attach them to the bag on the ends of the smile.
To create eyes, cut two circles from the white paper and two smaller circles from the black paper. Tape or glue the eyes to the paper bag.
Use a scrap from the paper bag to create the stem and attach it to the top of the pumpkin. Cut a strip of green paper and curl it around a pencil. Attach it near the stem.
This craft allows children to practice their fine motor skills and reminds them of the pumpkin-themed stories they’ve enjoyed.
Pumpkin books and activities are a great way to celebrate the fall season while engaging young learners in various educational experiences. By incorporating these fun and educational resources into your classroom, you’ll create a memorable and enriching learning environment for your kindergarteners. So, as fall approaches, get ready to explore the world of pumpkins and watch your students’ excitement grow like the very best pumpkin ever!
Pumpkin Paper Bag Craft Printable Template:
To grab your free printable template, simply click on the link below.
