When does the face of a pumpkin become a work of art? It assumes the magical likeness of a classic character taken straight from the pages of a timeless book and artistically conveyed to bring that character to life!
That’s the whole idea behind the Spring Hill Branch Library’s 1st Annual Book Pumpkin Decorating Contest. Now, the public is invited to determine the winner of this fun seasonal competition—to name the Greatest Pumpkin from a ‘patchwork’ of colorful heroes and heroines–at the same time taking a whimsical journey through some of the greatest stories in literary history.
“This is proving to be a lot of fun!” said Jennifer Hodges, Branch Supervisor of the Spring Hill Branch Library. “I got the idea from a librarian Facebook group and knew I had to bring the fun to the staff at Spring Hill.”
Ah, but what precisely is a book pumpkin? “A book pumpkin is a pumpkin that has been decorated to showcase either a book title or a character from a book,” said Hodges. “It’s a fun way to combine the joy of reading with the Halloween spirit.”
And what better people to seize the challenge of creating a book pumpkin than those devoted folks who stock, recommend and check out a good read daily?
“Creating a book pumpkin allowed the Spring Hill staff an opportunity to showcase their love for books in a unique and artistic way,” said Hodges
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The guidelines for decorating entry pumpkins in the first annual Book Pumpkin Decorating Contest included:
Pumpkins should represent a favorite book character or title.
Choose a pumpkin of any shape or size.
Decorate, paint, glue, bedazzle, etc., but no carving; safety first!
Do not put your name anywhere on the pumpkin.
Try to think of unique characters! Let your creativity soar!
Frazier Farms in Brooksville donated the pumpkins that served as artistic canvases for this competition. Library patrons can vote for their favorite book pumpkin by visiting the Spring Hill Branch Library or on their Facebook page. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, November 1.
“Cast your vote for the 1st Annual Book Pumpkin Challenge. Staff at the Spring Hill Library decorated pumpkins featuring some of their favorite literary characters or titles,” read a contest notice. “Which one is your favorite? Cast your vote in person by visiting the Spring Hill Library or replying to this post with the pumpkin number.”
Those who peruse entries for the Book Pumpkin Challenge will surely recognize an array of their favorite literary icons, including “The Grumpy Monkey,” the star of Suzanne Lang’s tome of the same name “Pinkalicious,” the title heroine from the popular kids’ book by Victoria and Elizabeth Kann; a symbolic wild thing from Maurice Sendak’s classic “Where the Wild Things Are”; the endlessly mobile Pigeon from Mo Willems’ children’s book “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!”; an ornamental toy from “The Doll People” by Ann Martin and Laura Godwin; and the Great Queen from “Doll Bones” by Holly Black.
Rounding out the field is the eye-opening pumpkin that represents a popular horror book for older readers, “Silver Nitrate” by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.
Pick your pumpkin now at the Spring Hill Branch Library—this arty challenge is one for the books!
