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Marley the Dog (I Can Read! series)
Marley and the Runaway Pumpkin
Marley's family wants their giant pumpkin to win a prize at the fair. But on the big day, Marley sends the pumpkin on a wild ride instead!
32 pages, Paperback
First published June 28, 2011
9 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
About the author
John Grogan
68 books1,197 followersJohn Grogan has spent more than 25 years as a newspaper journalist. Previously he worked as a reporter, bureau chief, and columnist at newspaper in Michigan and Florida. He is also the former editor on chief of Rodale's Organic Gardening magazine. His work has won numerous awards, including the National Press Club's Consumer Journalism Award. His first book, Marley & Me, is a number one international bestseller that was as a major motion picture on 2008. His second book is The Longest Trip Home. John lives in Pennsylvania with his wife, Jenny, and their three children.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 4, 2017
The artwork had an antique style to it. It reminded me of books from the 50s and 60s or publications from Sunday School as a kid.
The story was predictable. I didn't feel much reading it. The kids enjoyed Marley and I still couldn't bring myself to giving it 3 stars. Marley couldn't save this one for me.
The family is trying to get their pumpkin to the fair, it's a big pumpkin. Guess who ruins that? Yes Marley. I give it 2.5 stars.
The story was predictable. I didn't feel much reading it. The kids enjoyed Marley and I still couldn't bring myself to giving it 3 stars. Marley couldn't save this one for me.
The family is trying to get their pumpkin to the fair, it's a big pumpkin. Guess who ruins that? Yes Marley. I give it 2.5 stars.
January 11, 2020
Read together October 23, 2019
Rating: 3/5 ⭐️
Book #4 in our “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” challenge
Little One Book Review: It seems Mommy and I like to read books about troublesome animals. Last month, we read about a curious monkey named George; this month, we read about a mischievous little dog named Marley. This book is based on the “Marley” stories by John Grogan, who wrote “Marley and Me.” Mommy has that book on her TBR.
We chose “Marley and the Runaway Pumpkin” as our first book of autumn; it was a cute story but it didn’t quite scratch the “autumn” itch. We will be on the lookout for more seasonal books, for sure.
A little girl named Cassie and her family are growing a huge pumpkin in their garden and are tending to it oh-so-carefully. They want to grow the biggest, prettiest pumpkin in order to take home the blue-prize ribbon at the county fair, and they have a pretty good chance to do just that. But there’s one member of the family who doesn’t seem to care about keeping the pumpkin in tip-top shape: Marley the dog!!
One day, the family is loading the pumpkin up to take it to the fair. Marley is a yellow lab (and a rather big puppy) with a playful streak. She gets excited to see the big, beautiful pumpkin and…well, goes a little haywire. She breaks loose from her leash, bounds up onto the truck, and pushes the pumpkin off. Wouldn’t you know it has to roll down the hill and make its way through town. Of course, Marley is right behind it!
After the pumpkin is done wreaking havoc through town (it runs down a mailman and sends the mailbag flying), it rolls to a stop and smashes to bits. The big, beautiful pumpkin is no more. Cassie wonders how her family will ever win the blue-prize ribbon now; the pumpkin has been destroyed by Marley. What do you do with an utterly smashed pumpkin? You make pumpkin pie, of course! The book ends with Cassie and her mother making lots and lots of pumpkin pie, and they end up entering the pies in the county fair. They win their blue-prize ribbon after all.
Mama’s Book Review: This was a cute story about turning lemons into lemonade — or rather, a smashed pumpkin into a delicious pumpkin pie (my favorite seasonal dessert). It teaches a good lesson by showing that plan A often turns into plan B, and that life has unexpected twists and turns. Marley the dog is the perfect animal to teach us such a valuable life lesson.
Rating: 3/5 ⭐️
Book #4 in our “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” challenge
Little One Book Review: It seems Mommy and I like to read books about troublesome animals. Last month, we read about a curious monkey named George; this month, we read about a mischievous little dog named Marley. This book is based on the “Marley” stories by John Grogan, who wrote “Marley and Me.” Mommy has that book on her TBR.
We chose “Marley and the Runaway Pumpkin” as our first book of autumn; it was a cute story but it didn’t quite scratch the “autumn” itch. We will be on the lookout for more seasonal books, for sure.
A little girl named Cassie and her family are growing a huge pumpkin in their garden and are tending to it oh-so-carefully. They want to grow the biggest, prettiest pumpkin in order to take home the blue-prize ribbon at the county fair, and they have a pretty good chance to do just that. But there’s one member of the family who doesn’t seem to care about keeping the pumpkin in tip-top shape: Marley the dog!!
One day, the family is loading the pumpkin up to take it to the fair. Marley is a yellow lab (and a rather big puppy) with a playful streak. She gets excited to see the big, beautiful pumpkin and…well, goes a little haywire. She breaks loose from her leash, bounds up onto the truck, and pushes the pumpkin off. Wouldn’t you know it has to roll down the hill and make its way through town. Of course, Marley is right behind it!
After the pumpkin is done wreaking havoc through town (it runs down a mailman and sends the mailbag flying), it rolls to a stop and smashes to bits. The big, beautiful pumpkin is no more. Cassie wonders how her family will ever win the blue-prize ribbon now; the pumpkin has been destroyed by Marley. What do you do with an utterly smashed pumpkin? You make pumpkin pie, of course! The book ends with Cassie and her mother making lots and lots of pumpkin pie, and they end up entering the pies in the county fair. They win their blue-prize ribbon after all.
Mama’s Book Review: This was a cute story about turning lemons into lemonade — or rather, a smashed pumpkin into a delicious pumpkin pie (my favorite seasonal dessert). It teaches a good lesson by showing that plan A often turns into plan B, and that life has unexpected twists and turns. Marley the dog is the perfect animal to teach us such a valuable life lesson.
September 14, 2015
Another one included in the Marley Storybook Treasury and a perfect read as the fall season is really starting to come in full swing. A fun read to watch what drama Marley is getting into now and in the end how it all works out anyway after chaos.
*Thanks to HC
scheduled: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2...
*Thanks to HC
scheduled: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2...
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August 3, 2016Marley's family has grown a giant pumpkin that they are going to take to the fair. They hope to win first prize. Marley wants to go with them, but they tell Marley no, and tie him up. Marley escapes and hops into the truck, but causes the pumpkin to fall out and break apart. So instead of being upset, the family decides to make pumpkin pie, which wins first prize at the fair!
October 12, 2010
This is an adorable book that held the attention of my younger early readers and even had a 9 year old come over to listen in. He'd even tolerate reading to his siblings out loud if asked.
Perfect as a read with help book. Enough bigger words that the story is interesting.
Perfect as a read with help book. Enough bigger words that the story is interesting.
October 12, 2010
Nate 5 stars!
October 20, 2010
Cute story about the rascal Marley and his joyful antics. Our girls enjoy these stories and we love funny tales about pets.
October 31, 2011
Cute, but simple
August 30, 2013
Nice pictures
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November 2, 2014You know there are kids in he house when... Fun and interesting book allowing children to practice reading and enjoy a good book.
January 16, 2016
A cute simple story for a developing reader. Marley and his family grow a pumpkin to put in the fair. Great illustrations, very lively and bright.
April 26, 2016
Cute story. Kids loved it.
May 19, 2017
Marley gets into trouble with the family's possible prize-winning pumpkin.
March 22, 2018
Unlike some, I enjoyed the old fashioned art work and of COURSE Marley is the one who let the pumpkin lose. It's always Marley. That's why its his name on the cover and he has non-fiction book AND a movie.
Super cute, but I question showing the little girl feeding Marley pieces of pumpkin pile at the ending. Let's not give the kiddos ideas about feeding dogs pie.
Super cute, but I question showing the little girl feeding Marley pieces of pumpkin pile at the ending. Let's not give the kiddos ideas about feeding dogs pie.
May 30, 2018
This is a cute beginner readers book the family was growing a pumpkin to win a blue ribbon at the fair but as they got in the truck the dog made the pumpkin roll away and it ended up crashing an broke. So they made it into pumpkin pie an it was so good they won a blue ribbon after all for the best tasting pie.
June 5, 2018
6/5/18 Read with Naomi, Julia, & Simon
January 4, 2021
This one is a family favorite that the kids have read over and over again!
December 18, 2025
4 mins
March 13, 2017
“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. And when life gives you a smashed pumpkin, make pie.” The story is not at all what I expected. It is a still a happy ending as most of the children picture books are. But it is a happy ending with a little surprise. It will be a good book to discuss with students about which part of the story they predict, and which part surprises them.
December 2, 2018
Great book for students to love and great series of books
September 5, 2014
This book is a good book but not as great as some of the ones I've red.
March 10, 2015
One of the better early reader books.
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October 24, 2017Cute story for a small moment to show students to write about one moment in time during this time of year.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews