Anita Benarde (1926–2022)

The townsfolk of Cranbury took Halloween very seriously, setting out spooky decorations and making jack-o-lanterns for every home and business. Then one year they discovered that a pumpkin smasher had visited them in the night, and destroyed all of the town's jack-o-lanterns. When this happened for three years in a row, the town was ready to ban Halloween, until the terrible Turner twins stepped in with an idea to fool the pumpkin smasher...

Published in 1972, The Pumpkin Smasher is one of those out-of-print titles I discovered thanks to the fabulous Internet Archive, which has allowed me to access so many books I might otherwise never have had the chance to read. The story is engaging, with a surprise ending involving a the Pumpkin Smasher Witch, and the vintage artwork, done in black and white with orange accents, adds to the spooky feeling. Although I didn't recognize author/artist Anita Benarde's name, apparently I have encountered her work before, in Anne LaBastille Bowes' Bird Kingdom of the Mayas. Perhaps I will seek out her only other picture-book, Giorgio: The Train That Wanted to Ride a Boat. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for Halloween stories, particularly if they enjoy vintage artwork.… (meer)

It's October, and the people of Cranbury are getting reading for Halloween. Scarecrows, big black cats, ghosts, and jack-o-lanterns adorn the town, until Halloween comes and a pumpkin smasher smashes all of the beautiful pumpkins. Who would do such a thing?

Next year, signs are posted and police are on the lookout. Unfortunately, the pumpkin smasher strikes again. The people of Cranbury are ready to cancel Halloween. They come up with a plan, but will Halloween be ruined again?

Our copy of this one is very old. It's from 1972 and falling apart, but it's still a favorite. The illustrations are black and white with a bit of orange for color.… (meer)