The Pumpkin Thief
A cheerful Halloween-flavored mystery picture book in which Squirrel investigates the disappearance of Bird's homegrown pumpkins, following clues and jumping to hilariously wrong conclusions. The tone is warm and playful throughout, with bonus back-matter on Halloween traditions making it a great seasonal read-aloud.
A lovely fit for ages 3 and up, especially preschool and early-elementary kids who enjoy seasonal picture books and simple mysteries.
Chapters to know about
Squirrel spots a tall, looming shadow and jumps to scary conclusions, but the illustration tips readers off to the harmless truth first, turning the moment into a gentle joke worth sharing.
Squirrel repeatedly takes shortcuts and lets Bird handle the hard gardening work; a natural conversation starter about doing your fair share.