fall
Happy Thanksgiving from “Pumpkin Spice”!
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! And to celebrate the holiday (while also shamelessly plugging a recent project), here’s a cropped image from the “Thanksgiving dinner” spread in Pumpkin Spice, a children’s book which was written by yours truly and illustrated by the super-talented Monique Dong. Pumpkin Spice is out now from Penguin Random House. (In other words: Plug-Pluggity-Plug!)
Pumpkin Spice is out now from Penguin Random House. It’s available at bookstores everywhere, as well as HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.
Here’s what critics are saying about Pumpkin Spice:
“Dong’s warm, cheerful illustrations enhance the cozy fall vibe…A lightly enjoyable seasonal pick that will find a place in fall displays.”—School Library Journal
“…a fun-filled sensory exploration of the sights, sounds, and especially smells that make fall great.” —LitPop
“This board book will be much-loved by everyone who enjoys pumpkin spiced… well, everything… each autumn.” —Kids R Us
“Rich with sensory detail, Pumpkin Spice makes a great introduction to fall for little bookworms.”—Bookstr
“Teachers who teach in early education classrooms will want to add this delightful board book to their collection of fall picture books.”—HubPages
“This sweet board book explores autumn through the senses…with lush illustrations sure to grab attention.” —Cracking the Cover
And here’s a look at the complete, un-cropped “Thanksgiving Dinner” spread from Pumpkin Spice:

Last but definitely not least, if you’d like to see all of the other books I’ve written for Penguin Random House (even the ones which don’t involve talking gourds), click HERE.
“Pumpkin Spice” Is Featured in “Cracking the Cover,” “Kids Bookshelf,” & “Kiddos Magazine”!
My children’s book Pumpkin Spice has been getting a good amount of media attention lately. Also, it’s almost Halloween and this book features a talking jack-o’-lantern as one of the main characters (as well as a scene that takes place during Halloween), so it seemed like the right time to put up a Pumpkin Spice-related post. Anyway…
Pumpkin Spice is one of the 8 books featured in this Cracking the Cover article by Jessica Harrison called “Celebrate Autumn and Halloween With Books for Babies and Toddlers.” You can read the article HERE.
Here’s what Jessica had to say about Pumpkin Spice:
This sweet board book explores autumn through the senses. Excitement builds around the changing colors and tasty smells and spices. It’s a simple narrative with lush illustrations sure to grab attention.
Pumpkin Spice was also reviewed by Christina Lewis over at Kids Bookshelf. You can read the review HERE.
Here’s what Christina had to say about the book:
Pumpkin Spice is getting ready to paint all the leaves red, orange, and yellow, but when she meets an actual pumpkin she learns that Fall leaves become those colors all on their own. Jack the pumpkin tells her that autumn colors can be found everywhere – where squirrels gather nuts, on a fruit tree, on Halloween, and on yummy foods served at Thanksgiving. A fun board book that focuses on our senses during the fall season.
And last but definitely not least, Pumpkin Spice was featured in an article in Kiddos Magazine called “Book Suggestions to Read this Month.” You can read the article HERE.
Pumpkin Spice was written by yours truly and illustrated by the wonderful Monique Dong. The book is out now from Penguin Random House. It’s available at bookstores everywhere, as well as HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.
Here’s what critics are saying about Pumpkin Spice:
“Dong’s warm, cheerful illustrations enhance the cozy fall vibe…A lightly enjoyable seasonal pick that will find a place in fall displays.”—School Library Journal
“…a fun-filled sensory exploration of the sights, sounds, and especially smells that make fall great.” —LitPop
“Rich with sensory detail, Pumpkin Spice makes a great introduction to fall for little bookworms.”—Bookstr
“Teachers who teach in early education classrooms will want to add this delightful board book to their collection of fall picture books.”—HubPages
“This board book will be much-loved by everyone who enjoys pumpkin spiced… well, everything… each autumn.” —Kids R Us
And to see all of the other books I’ve written for Penguin Random House (even the ones which don’t involve talking gourds), click HERE.
“Pumpkin Spice” Featured in “LitPOP” Article!
My children’s book Pumpkin Spice is one of the 10 books featured in a LitPOP article by Cara Broel called “10 New Children’s Books That Perfectly Capture the Fall Spirit.” You can read the article HERE.
Here’s what Cara had to say about Pumpkin Spice:
Little Pumpkin Spice, in her pumpkin costume, is fully prepared to start painting the leaves—that’s how they change into fall colors, right? Thankfully, a talking pumpkin named Jack is there to set her straight, and the two embark on a fun-filled sensory exploration of the sights, sounds, and especially smells that make fall great. Bonus: This one includes a pumpkin spice blend recipe kids can make at home!
You may already know this next part, but just in case you don’t: Pumpkin Spice was written by yours truly and illustrated by the wonderful Monique Dong. The book is out now from Penguin Random House. It’s available at bookstores everywhere, as well as HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.
Here’s what critics are saying about Pumpkin Spice:
“Dong’s warm, cheerful illustrations enhance the cozy fall vibe…A lightly enjoyable seasonal pick that will find a place in fall displays.”—School Library Journal
“Rich with sensory detail, Pumpkin Spice makes a great introduction to fall for little bookworms.”—Bookstr
“Teachers who teach in early education classrooms will want to add this delightful board book to their collection of fall picture books.”—HubPages
“This board book will be much-loved by everyone who enjoys pumpkin spiced…well, everything…each autumn.” —Kids R Us
Basically, if there was a Pulitzer Prize for “Most Cozy Book,” Pumpkin Spice would win it. (I think.)
And to see all of the other books I’ve written for Penguin Random House (even the ones which don’t involve pumpkins, spice, or any combination thereof), click HERE.