Pumpkin Book Characters — Creativity on Display

Willy the Gorilla

Creating favorite book characters from pumpkins is not a new idea but it is certainly one that inspires creativity.  This activity is especially popular during the fall season when pumpkins are popular.  One of my favorite six-year-olds (PEB) attends an elementary school that has used this idea in the past, and again this year (2019).  He wanted to be involved -- and he was emphatic that it wasn't a contest.  And that fake pumpkins should be used.  Best information I got ... but it was enough.  Many schools and libraries specify pumpkins that are not cut or carved (to prevent decay).

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a larger copy of this sample flyer.

Get Started in YOUR School or Library - Encourage Creativity and Reading

Many schools have developed procedures for creating a focus on reading and thinking about book characters by promoting maker activities to create book characters from pumpkins.  An elementary school in Selma, Illinois has developed a successful contest using the pumpkin book character concept.  Their exemplary handout - outlining their procedures may help provide a starting point for your own flyer announcing your school's pumpkin book characters display.

Back to Echo Hill and Still a Gorilla

The first thing I asked, "So what book character do you want to do?"
PEB: Willy the Gorilla
The character was Willy, a gorilla, from a book Still a Gorilla by Kim Norman (Orchard Books, 2017).  As it turns out Willy was PEB's current favorite.  Willy wants to be anything but a gorilla... a lion (If Willy, "roars will he be a lion, no, still a gorilla").  Tusks do not make him a walrus, nor can Willy be a billy goat, an alligator, or a kangaroo.  No matter what he does Willy will be "Still a gorilla." 


So, I asked, "How will Willy be a pumpkin."  PEB had an answer, "If Willy painted himself orange he would be a pumpkin."  The conversation took the logical path,  "Would he be a pumpkin?"  His answer (with an impish grin), "No, still a gorilla."  So his project was born.
Felt would make the face, with eyes and mouth.  The face could then be glued to the pumpkins - one orange pumpkin for the pumpkin Willy, and one black pumpkin for the Still a Gorilla Willy.

And as book characters are brought into the library, Katie Merulla, library media specialist, takes the picture and posts it to the school Instagram site @echohilllm.

Celebration of creativity and reading.

A great experience:
Celebrating reading, creativity, parent and child connections, and a chance to showcase favorite books of the moment.

Please share other campaigns you have developed for encouraging similar overreaching goals.