It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown: The Making of a Television Classic

by Lee Mendelson, Bill Meléndez

Trick-or-treating has never been more fun—with scary costumes, Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Sally, Schroeder, Linus, and, of course, the Great Pumpkin. Since its first airing forty years ago, "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" has become synonymous with Halloween. This collection of remembrances and behind-the-scenes treasures celebrates the timeless television classic

Genres: Nonfiction, Halloween, Tv, Childrens, Middle Grade, Holiday

160 pages, Paperback

First published September 12, 2006

About the author

Lee Mendelson was a long time collaborator with Charles M. Schulz. From the very beginning his work resulted in some of the most beloved television specials of all time.

Reviews

[Cheryl]

Anyone and everyone should be familiar with the names Charles M. Schulz, Lee Mendelson, and Bill Melendez. Instantly when you hear these names you think of Charlie Brown. Yes, the loveable guy that everyone can remember and held out hope that one day Charlie would actually kick that football that Lucy was always holding for him. I can remember watching the television special of The Great Pumpkin with Charlie Brown and the gang. It was entertaining. Although, I can not blame Linus for being scared. I had such an enjoyable time reading this book and getting to learn how the whole Halloween special came to be. Also, becoming familiar with the voices and having faces to them was cool. I savored every moment. If anything after reading this book, it made me want to re-watch this Halloween special. There is nothing more classic than Charlie Brown and the rest of the gang. This book would make a great gift or table top book.

[Don Roff]

It took me a year to discover that this book was out. I had no idea. It not only features an engaging history of how the legendary TV special was made (and aired only two months before my birth), but it also features the complete, illustrated screenplay by Charles M. Schulz, which also features additional dialogue that was not in the film. Fear not! This pulling-back-the-curtain book does not take away any of the magic of the Great Pumpkin, but actually enhances it.

[Margaret Chind]

My childhood memories of Peanuts (to me it was simply Snoopy cartoons) was A Charlie Brown Christmas: The Making of a Tradition. I remember watching the Christmas special all the time live on TV and possibly recorded on VHS. A few years ago, I got some hand-me-down books and one of which was It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. I'm sorry, but I didn't know there was a Halloween special as well... Now that I do, I'm fully entertained and delighted to get my hands on It's the Great Pumpkin: The Making of a Television Classic.

The TV specials are neat on their own, but the treasures that these "Making of a Television Classic" coffee table books bring to any family is fabulous! From actor/voice biographies, to screen plays, to musical numbers, and behind the scenes details it is all entertainingly wonderful. A perfect gift book.

I received this product free for the purpose of reviewing it. I received no other compensation for this review. The opinions expressed in this review are my personal, honest opinions. Your experience may vary. Please read my full disclosure policy for more details.

informational post: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2...

[Samantha]

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Rating: 4.5/5

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown: The Making of a Television Classic is a great edition to your personal library especially if you are a fan of Peanuts.

It’s the Great Pumpkin is a quick read that is fun for all ages and fans - big or small.

It offers a great and thoughtful look into the conception and making of this television classic.

This book is a must because it not only includes information on how the television special was made, but includes the original storyboards, a fully illustrated script and musical scores.

It was really fun to read about the writers and artists take on how this special was made. I watch this Halloween special every year (and the other holiday specials). There a few short snippets about the composer and the voice actors of the original show and how the voice actors changed over the years.

I’m so glad to include this in my library and I can’t wait to share it with my family and friends.

Thank you Dey Street Books for a copy.

[Victoria Colotta]

Whether it be the comic strip or the TV specials, who among us doesn’t have fond memories of Charlie Brown? It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is no different. It is one of the television classics that is always on my schedule every Halloween. This is why this book is so special.

In this updated version It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown: The Making of a Television Classic, we are able to go behind the scenes, read conversations, get some background context to the story and its origin all while enjoying the images that made up this TV program.

Many times, while reading this book and flipping through the pages, I couldn’t help but smile at the illustrations and sheet music. I was instantly brought back to the first time I watched this on my TV. There is something about Charlie Brown so many of us love. We gravitate to the variety of characters that show up time and time again. The lessons that they teach us are so valuable as children, but also as adults too.

If you are a fan of this TV Classic, you will not want to miss out on this book. It will enhance what you already know and allow you to fall in love with the story on a whole new level.

[Mom]

This was very informative and fine tribute to the classic TV special that we love.

[Liesl]

This is a pleasant recollection of how the Charlie Brown Halloween special came together, but since there's not a lot of meat to this particular story, it's a little slight. It was fun to read about the young voice actors who lent their talent to these specials, the original production materials are nifty, and the flip book of Linus and Sally in the pumpkin patch is a cute touch.

[Greg]

This was a fun read and I’m looking forward to checking out the companion publication on the Christmas special in December. I’ve heard many of the stories before but appreciated Mendelson’s perspective on the lore. The information about the production itself was new to me and I really liked hearing about the cast, the animation choices, and the musical cues.

[Benjamin Long]

A great insight on how the famous "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown". It gives information from everything to how they got the ideas to how they hired the voices. It even includes the sheet music and a script. Definitely check it out if you enjoy the TV special.

[Colleen]

awesome "its the great pumpkin charlie brown"

[Jessica]

A classic revealed.

[Jen]

arg, my library doesn't have this. Going to try and track down a used copy.

[Karen]

Great behind-the-scenes stories and a full script with sheet music for two songs. Interviews with the kids as adults looking back. Fun for every Peanuts Fam.

[Kimberly]

*3