Stumpkin - by Lucy Ruth Cummins

About the Book

From the critically acclaimed author and illustrator of "A Hungry Lion" comes a unique Halloween story about a stemless pumpkin that dreams of becoming a jack-o-lantern. Full color.

Book Synopsis

From the critically acclaimed author and illustrator of A Hungry Lion comes a unique Halloween story about a stemless pumpkin who dreams of becoming a jack-o-lantern.

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 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?

Review Quotes

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

"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

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

About the Author

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 also is the author-illustrator of Stumpkin, Vampenguin, 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.