Welcome to the first Perfect Picture Book Friday of October!
I have absolutely the most adorable sweet and cozy autumn story for you today. You are in for such a treat!
And the cherry on top? There’s a giveaway! One copy of Pumpkin Day for Boo and Belle (U.S. addresses only, please) from Paraclete Press. All you have to do to get yourself in the running to be the randomly selected winner is leave a comment on today’s post by Thursday October 9 at 3 PM Eastern.
Now, are you ready for a look at this delightful book that my granddaughter insisted we read approximately four thousand times the first week we had it? 😊 For me, this is one of those “wish I wrote it” books!
Title: Pumpkin Day For Boo And Belle
Written By: Laura Sassi
Illustrated By: Farah Shah
Publisher: Paraclete Press, July 29th, 2025, fiction
Suitable For Ages: 2-8
Themes/Topics: friendship, misunderstanding, autumn
text copyright Laura Sassi 2025, illustration copyright Farah Shah 2025, Paraclete Press
Opening:
“It rained on Monday, Tuesday, too.
All day Wednesday wet wind blew.
And when Belle woke up on Pumpkin Day,
she saw more rain, but cheered, “Hooray!
It’s raining, yes,
but that’s okay.
I’m having tea
with Boo today!”
text copyright Laura Sassi 2025, illustration copyright Farah Shah 2025, Paraclete Press
Brief Synopsis: [from the publisher] “When Boo’s invitation to Belle’s Annual Pumpkin Tea is swept away by the wind, things don’t go quite as planned. But will these two dear friends let a little lost mail spoil their time together? Or will they find a way to weather the storm and come together in the spirit of forgiveness and thankfulness? “
text copyright Laura Sassi 2025, illustration copyright Farah Shah 2025, Paraclete Press
Links To Resources: such a treat! provided by author Laura Sassi!
Design Your Own Pumpkin House
by Laura Sassi
After enjoying the book with your child(ren), go back to the opening map to investigate every nook and cranny of Boo’s and Belle’s world. Then, focusing in on the little houses illustrator Farah Shah has so darlingly depicted, talk about how each house has an outside and an inside. Flip through the pages together to see the inside of Boo’s and Belle’s house.
After all this pumpkin-y investigation, ask your little one to imagine what kind of pumpkin house they might live in if they were a little bunny, chipmunk or bird. Then, using the “Design your own Pumpkin House” coloring sheet from the free downloadable activity kit which can be found at www.pumpkinday.com have your children draw their dream pumpkin abode.
Here’s the one I created. I decided to make it two stories with a living room, dining room, bedroom and library/play room because when I was little our home was always on just one story and I always wished it had two!
NOTE: You might also enjoy the other resources there, including cupcake toppers, coloring pages, a word search and even a complete plan for hosting your own Pumpkin Day Tea!
text copyright Laura Sassi 2025, illustration copyright Farah Shah 2025, Paraclete Press
Why I Like This Book: I love this book so much it’s hard to know where to start. Every single thing about it appeals to me. Let’s start at the beginning, with the map of all the important places in the story, with it’s pretty pumpkins and sweet little houses that make you want to live on Leaf Lane by the Flower Field, or up in the Apple Forest. Then, the story, all about a beloved tradition, the misunderstandings that can occur even between close friends when something unexpectedly and accidentally goes wrong, and the power of a genuine apology. This is such a sweet and cozy story, complete with tea and baked goods, and a little mystery – what did happen to that invitation?! – all told in Laura Sassi’s engaging rhyme which is a delight to read aloud. And the art is so charming, every bit as cute and cozy as the story and perfectly suited to it. I can tell you, I didn’t mind reading this book four thousand times in one week one little bit! 😊 Highly recommended for every library!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 😊
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! 😊
And remember, of you’d like to win the giveaway copy of Pumpkin Day for Boo and Belle (U.S. addresses only, please) from Paraclete Press, all you have to do to put yourself in the running is leave a comment on today’s post by Thursday October 9 at 3 PM Eastern.
Susanna Leonard Hill 
I love it. So cute. The map really commands a reader’s attention and designing one’s own pumpkin house requires imagination and creativity. I need an invitation to tea!!!♥️
Aww, such a sweet book, Susanna. The map reminds me of Richard Scary. And I agree that the activity looks like so much fun. Thanks for introducing me to this great book!
Yes, Maria! Me, too! I was going to say that but then thought maybe it was just me 🙂 You will love the book – it’s just so cute!
I thought of Richard Scary as well! 😊 Glad I’m reading the comments.
I was just reading about the benefits of a cup of cozy tea, and then I opened this review. I think my grandkids will love it, too! That map and those cute cottages make me want to jump right in! Thanks for sharing!
This looks absolutely adorable and fun! My grandkids will love it!
What a sweet story! I love when rhyming picture books make it to publication, always a kid favorite!🥰
This book looks so delightful!
This is such a great story! I think I could learn from it 🙂
Isn’t this book wonderful? I want to dive right in and live there. So many great details and the story is perfect! Hooray for Boo and Belle!
Hello….Happy October!! And YES this story is just adorable and love the “pumpkin tea”, great idea for us all. Here’s to Pumpkin Day!! Sincerely, Julie Ellis
What a sweet and adorable book! And the illustrations perfectly compliment the story and characters.
So many ways to use this. Lite kids will love to hear it – but what an opportunity for writing and discussion with grads 1-4!
This book looks adorable! Another great read from Laura!
I am a sucker for any bunny book, and this looks adorable! Thanks, Susanna!
So adorable! Love the story and illustrations in this sweet story! Congratulations!
I love this review and the book sounds so cute! I think the highest praise is “an I wish I had written this book”
Great post, Susanna!
I want to find a copy for great grand kids. This looks like a fun book. Lovely illustrations!
It won’t let me post again. Oh well!!
Cute book, for sure. And I love your cozy pumpkin cottage!
Wow! This PB certainly is Perfect for PPBF! I love the perfect rhyme! Plus all of the added “attractions”! 🎃
This does sound delightful! Friendship stories are ones all readers can identify with and this story shows readers how friends can experience and deal with misunderstandings. Thank you for featuring this book today.
I’d love to win this for my kindergarten class, written by my CP!
Looking forward to reading this sweet book. It looks and sounds just right for the season. And love love love the map showing all the roads and houses! Congrats to Laura, and happy reading, Susanna! I’m guessing your granddaughter will keep on requesting this one.
This looks absolutely adorable! And what a fun activity to go with the story! Now I want to host a pumpkin tea and I haven’t even read the story (yet). Thanks for sharing this with us!