Pumpkin Smasher - now obtained

Pumpkin Smasher by Anita Benarde
children's fiction, ages 6-9
In my previous blog I lamented that this book was hard to come by. I finally received it through interlibrary loan in time for Christmas. This is, as the critics reported, a pretty good book. The children, that may seem to be troublemakers, come up with a great idea to thwart the mysterious stranger who has been smashing the pumpkins in Cranbury (somewhere in New England). The illustrations are simple yet effective utilizing only black and white and orange in a style that was retro even when this book was new in the 1970's. I see that this book was checked out by Mark and Julie S. back in 1997 from the Bryden School Library, Beachwood, Ohio and was purchased on May 30, 1973. I hope that Mark and Julie enjoyed this book. I did.

Pumpkin Smasher

The pumpkin smasher

by

Anita Benarde

Information from Novelist K-8 database

Summary:When all the pumpkins are mysteriously smashed on three consecutive Halloweens, the townspeople of Cranbury almost decide to cancel the holiday.

Publication Information:Walker 1972. 32p. Subject Headings:Halloween

Reviews:Unremarkable but suitably spooky grey-black and orange pictures accompany the story of Halloween in Cranbury, where "the whole town gets into the spirit of shivery fun." When annual visits from a mysterious pumpkin smasher threaten to disrupt the festivities, the "terrible Turner twins" foil the culprit (a witch, the twins discover) and drive her away by painting a large rock to resemble a pumpkin. Though this is no smashing success as a Halloween hair-raiser, it will help satisfy that inevitable seasonal demand. (Kirkus Reviews, September 1, 1972)

ISBNs Associated With This Work:9780802761095 (Hardcover)

Credits:Hennepin County Public Library Baker & Taylor Copyright 2005, VNU Business Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved Added to Novelist: 20010101 TID: 107238

Someone asked me if I could find this book. I was amazed to find that a book that was published for something like $7 as a hardback and $2 as a paperback was out of print and going for more than $59. I would expect this from a book from the 1920s or 1950s, but this one is from 1972. I guess I am older than I think when books from my childhood are now collectibles/antiques! Someone should start a letter writing campaign to get this book republished as a cheap paperback.

I have not read this book myself, but now I am curious about it. (Well, maybe I read it back in third grade or something. I don't remember).

Available after November 9 from Cleveland Public Library if the patron returns it on time. I think I will request this, so if you want this through interlibrary loan you will have to wait until I return it to CPL.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-media/product-gallery/0802761097/ref=cm_ciu_pdp_images_0?ie=UTF8&index=0

Long out of print and apparently desireable since the price starts with $59.00 at Amazon. The Kirkus Review gave it a bad review, but others on Amazon loved it and so did the patron who asked me to get it for him.