A gourd read

Get into the spirit of the season with Michael J. Rosen’s “Night of the Pumpkinheads.” Follow jack-o-lanterns Jackpot, Jackie-O, and their pumpkin pals as they try to frighten children on Halloween, but can’t quite accomplish their scary scheme. The hardcove is illustrated with photographs of actual gourds that have been carved by Brooklyn-based sculptor Hugh McMahon.

His 35 years of knife-wielding experience are evident in the variety of eyeballs he renders from the rinds of orange baby gourds. Unfortunately Rosen makes a gruesome error by dubbing Scotland’s famous serpent “Lock Ness” instead of “Loch Ness.”

Suitable for kids ages 5 to 8.

“Night of the Pumpkinheads” by Michael J. Rosen, $16.99. For info, visit penguin.com/youngreaders