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About The Book

The beloved Halloween story about a stemless pumpkin who dreams of becoming a jack-o-lantern, from the critically acclaimed author and illustrator of A Hungry Lion, is now available in board book format!

Stumpkin is the most handsome pumpkin on the block. He’s as orange as a traffic cone! Twice as round as a basketball! He has no bad side! He’s the perfect choice for a Halloween jack-o-lantern.

There’s just one problem—Stumpkin has a stump, not a stem. And no one seems to want a stemless jack-o-lantern for their window.

As Halloween night approaches, more and more of his fellow pumpkins leave, but poor Stumpkin remains. Will anyone give Stumpkin his chance to shine?

About The Author

Jonathan Dorfman

Lucy Ruth Cummins is an author, illustrator, and art director of children’s books. She was happily paired with Jean Reidy for both Truman, which was named a New York Times Best Children’s Book of 2019, and Sylvie. She is also the author-illustrator of Stumpkin, Vampenguin, Dalmartian: A Mars Rover’s Story, Our Pool, and A Hungry Lion, or A Dwindling Assortment of Animals. Lucy has swum in creeks, streams, gorges, rivers, swimming holes, pools (above- and in-ground), lakes (both Great and Finger), decorative fountains, and oceans. Her very favorite place to swim, however, is at her community pool in Brooklyn with her sons and her neighbors.

About The Illustrator

Jonathan Dorfman

Lucy Ruth Cummins is an author, illustrator, and art director of children’s books. She was happily paired with Jean Reidy for both Truman, which was named a New York Times Best Children’s Book of 2019, and Sylvie. She is also the author-illustrator of Stumpkin, Vampenguin, Dalmartian: A Mars Rover’s Story, Our Pool, and A Hungry Lion, or A Dwindling Assortment of Animals. Lucy has swum in creeks, streams, gorges, rivers, swimming holes, pools (above- and in-ground), lakes (both Great and Finger), decorative fountains, and oceans. Her very favorite place to swim, however, is at her community pool in Brooklyn with her sons and her neighbors.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (July 24, 2018)
  • Length: 56 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781534413634
  • Grades: P - 3
  • Ages: 4 - 8
  • Lexile ® 500L The Lexile reading levels have been certified by the Lexile developer, MetaMetrics®

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Raves and Reviews

"A perfect holiday read-aloud for city kids and ­country dwellers as well." - School Library Journal, starred review

"Clear pictures and simple text pack an emotional punch for the revitalized misfit." - Booklist

"A gentle story about differences, set within a popular holiday's traditions, with striking urban-based illustrations." - Shelf Awareness

"Brilliantly inventive." - Publishers Weekly, starred review

Awards and Honors

  • CCBC Choices (Cooperative Children's Book Council)
  • Irma Simonton Black and James H. Black Award Semifinalist
  • Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year Selection Title
  • Wisconsin State Reading Association's Reading List

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images

More books from this author: Lucy Ruth Cummins