We're Going on a Pumpkin Hunt

by Goldie Hawk, Angie Rozelaar (Illustrator)

In this delightful twist on a popular folk song, three trick-or-treaters go on a spooky adventure to find a pumpkin!

We're going on a pumpkin hunt.
We're going to find a big one.
What a beautiful night!
We're not scared.

Three trick-or-treaters are looking for the perfect pumpkin on a beautiful, Halloween night. They have to make their way through some sticky cobwebs, flying bats, and even a dark, spooky house! But they're not scared. The trick-or-treaters eventually find their pumpkin and...a ghost!
This book publishes simultaneously in board.

Genres: Picture Books, Halloween, Storytime, Holiday, Childrens, Autumn, Music

32 pages, Hardcover

Published July 27, 2021

Reviews

[Grace Bunn]

If I have to read this book multiple times a day at work I’m adding it 🤣

[Rich Farrell]

While the illustrations are bright and it retains the sing-song quality of bear hunt, this version’s ending doesn’t fit the typical pattern, which was a bit disappointing since it seems like being scared would come natural on Halloween.

[Kelly]

I was a bit thrown off by the ending. First off, the ghost is now their friend instead of chasing them? Secondly, seeing a jack-o-lantern/pumpkin/whatever you want to call it, automatically makes everything right again? Is it because they were looking for a pumpkin to begin with and now they found what they're looking for? I keep looking at it and I just keep being like, wait, what?

[Katie]

I love the vibrant illustrations, and I see that the wording does match one version of "Going on a Bear Hunt" (the one that includes "What a beautiful day!" or "What a beautiful night!"), but I still don't think it works super well. Also, I don't know what kids (or people of any age) would have smiles on their faces while walking through spider webs...

[Rose Rosetree]

Cheerful and cute. That's how this book reads to me.

Both the words by Goldie Hawk and pictures by Angie Rozelaar: Cute.

Altogether, this looks and reads like a picture book but, personally, I found it curiously empty. For one thing, neither the author nor the illustrator seem to know how to get on the wavelength OF children. To me, this book is more like FOR them.

[Molly]

Halloween story time! I LOVE doing We're Going on a Bear Hunt (and there's a Leaf Hunt one too that I love for fall), so this was an obvious choice. It's super fun to get up and act everything out, although with my wild crew I had a hard time getting them to calm down and pay attention to the rest of story time - probably should have saved this for last.

[Mary]

Based on the "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" rhyme with three costumed trick-or-treaters looking for a big pumpkin. With big colorful preschool friendly illustrations, this is a fun non-scary Halloween picture book that will get little ones in the mood for the Halloween festivities.

[Mrs Heet -Librarian]

I absolutely loved the bright fun illustrations, the story however lacked a bit. The rhyming should be similar to the classic "Going on a Bear Hunt", but just didn't make it. The ending was odd with the addition of the ghost and the pumpkin.

[A Allen]

A spin-off for your young ones if they love all things related to "We're Going On a Lion Hunt". The adventurers navigate cats, bats, and cobwebs in this rendition. The illustrations are not my favorite.

[Ashley]

I really enjoyed reading/singing this with my prek-1st grade classes. They loved singing along and making predictions about what the kids were going to see. It was fun to find a Halloween themed version of "We're Going on a Bear Hunt."

[Pam]

A fun Halloween read. Playing of the Bear Hunt, these children have fun walking through the evening and encounter several groups of things they have to go through until they reach the ghost. Readers will appreciate the fun as they head back home to finally find the pumpkin.

[Amy Hesterman]

Perfect for Kindergarten friends!!!!

[Michelle]

I loved the illustrations. The cats and bats were adorable. Why can't you go around an old, dark, spooky house though? I'd have to think about that idea more.

[Madison LibraryBookFamily]

Halloween version of Going on a Bear Hunt. Cute illustrations but lacks the storyline of the original. Not too spooky.

[Hailee Wolf]

My child loves Halloween, hence he is obsessed with pumpkins. This story was fun twist on going on a bear hunt. The art work was engaging.

[MJ]

Cute graphics for Halloween

[Emily Jones]

Just another spin on "Going on a Bear Hunt," but it's cute and would give good visuals for a Halloween-themed storytime song.

[Ketutar Jensen]

A very nice picture book. Simple story, with lots of repetitions, enough excitement for little kids, surprises, and adventure. :-D
The illustrations are nice.

[Ali]

Similar to so many songs but still good and fun with a neat twist!

[Beth]

I loved this Halloween spin on "We're Going on a Bear Hunt"! This book is the perfect length for younger kiddos and toddlers, and filled with Halloween fun.

[Bree Sotirovich]

it is a graphically cute book. The words are very repetitive as they should be for a board book. It is a take from We're going on a bear hunt.

[Aleisha Froude]

Cute board book for Halloween, especially for littles. If you know the tune, you can sing it.

[Adrianne Rosal]

My granddaughter watches this video all the time. Now she has a book version and loves it!!!!!

[Emily Snider]

This was another very cute Halloween book that I saw well read to my sister. I could see so many different lessons based on this book. I love the rhyming I read this book to my sister as well as a lot of others and my mom told me I read it wrong because the rhyming could change to singing the words in the book. I also like how it doesn't say Halloween in the book just with kids wearing costumes and going on a pumpkin hunt.

[Katie]

We’re Going On Bear Hunt is such a great format to revisit. I liked the beginning, but I wasn’t a fan of the end

[Amy Oberts]

"We're Going on a Pumpkin Hunt" is a fresh-feeling story set against the backdrop of Halloween, but without ever mentioning the holiday's name. The bold illustrations and repetitive text make for a story sure to be a hit with large(r) StoryTimes and/or whole class read-alouds. The upbeat, fun storyline beckons participants to act out the motions and experiment with onomatopoeia. A new "go-to" pick for future library events with young listeners and their caregivers.

Publication Date: 2020
Format: Picture book
Elements: Bold/neon color-infused graphics; varying fonts to emphasize action; repetitive stanza; onomatopoeia; interactivity
Connection/Topics: Pumpkins, fall, trick-or-treating; prepositions, sight words
Activity Ideas: Interactivity with motions, sound effects while narrating the story