The librarian at my daughter’s school has created so much excitement by encouraging students to bringing in pumpkins carved or decorated as their favorite story-book character. She pulls the corresponding book off the shelf and displays it alongside its pumpkin twin — the kids are eating it up and the library looks amazing! These LITERACY LANTERNS make me smile!
We got in on the action with a pumpkin version of Mercy Watson. Claire really enjoyed Mercy Watson last year in first grade and being that (as a pig) Mercy is round, fat and sort of pumpkin colored, she seemed an easy character to try.
Target had a collection of animal noses: pigs, dogs and something that (vaguely) resembled and bear. We simple cut the elastic straps off and glued that pig nose right on the pumpkin. With some google-eyes, pink felted ears and a sharpie smile our Pumpkin Mercy Watson was complete!
I’ve started a collection of these book inspired pumpkins over on Pinterest. Come on by and check it out.
Some Tips for Literary Pumpkins —
- Look for characters with simple shapes and pick a fruit that’s similar. Think about Arthur – he looks just like a butternut squash!
- Pick Details! For the most part you won’t be able to fit an entire character and every feature of that character. Pick a few details to get juuuuuussst right. Think of Olivia’s triangular nostrils, the striped pattern in “A Bad Case of Stripes.”
- Use Accessories! Captain Underpants with REAL UNDIES, a raised Play-Doh scar for Harry Potter, a crown for Mercy Watson “Princess in Disguise.”
A few of my favorites are below. These storybook characters lend themselves especially well to being turned into pumpkins! There are tons of possibilities, have fun! I’m continuing to but a collection together online for some “Pin-spiration!” We still have to pick out this year’s pumpkin.
- Captain Underpants
- Where the Wild Things Are
- A Bad Case of Stripes
- The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear
Chalk In My Pocket 