It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (Peanuts) (urspr publ 1967; utgåvan 2008)

A classic. ( )

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Based upon the animated Peanuts holiday movie of the same name, broadcast on American television in 1966, this sweet picture-book follows the (mis)adventures of Charlie Brown and his friends on Halloween night. The somewhat befuddled Linus is convinced that the Great Pumpkin - a holiday gift-giver with a sack of presents for children, who is said to visit the most "sincere" pumpkin patch - will come this year. Mocked by his bossy sister Lucy, Linus sticks to his beliefs, and is joined in his wait by Sally, Charlie Brown's little sister. Although that young girl is disappointed at the outcome of their nighttime watch, Linus is not dissuaded. Perhaps next year, he will find the right patch in which to wait...

The edition of It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown that I read was published in 2015, and lists someone named Kara McMahon as an adapter, so I would assume that the story I experienced was not the full version, as written by Schulz. Leaving that issue aside, I found the narrative enjoyable enough, but not outstanding. I couldn't help feeling, as I read along, that I was meant to find things more amusing and more poignant, than I really did. I wonder if I would have felt differently, if I grew up watching the television show? We didn't have a television in the house when I was young, so I've never seen any of the Peanuts specials. In any case, this is one I would recommend to Peanuts fans primarily, especially if they have fond memories of the television special upon which it is based. ( )

A story of friends and their halloween adventures. ( )

We read this book every year and even when it's not Halloween. Ours is a 1972 printing and a Charles Schulz favorite all about Linus and his belief in the Great Pumpkin. He gives up trick-or-treating to wait for the Great Pumpkin on Halloween night and just about the only person who believes he might be on to something is Sally.

"Dear Great Pumpkin, I am looking forward to your arrival on Halloween Night. " - Linus

Will the Great Pumpkin bring toys and visit Linus this year? Follow along to find out! ( )