CHAPTER 1

"It's almost time to say good night, Little Pumpkin. It's close to bedtime," Mama said.

Milo looked around at all the fun games still waiting to be played at the fall festival. "I'm not tired, Mama. Just a little longer?"

Mama looked down at her sweet Little Pumpkin and smiled. "Okay ... just a little longer."

Milo lined up with his friend and sister, arms behind their backs, as they jumped, stretched, wiggled, and laughed at the grab apple game. The apples bumped the children's heads and bopped their noses, swinging and spinning just out of reach. Even Tucker the puppy hopped high, trying to reach his own apple.

But then Milo took a mighty leap!

"You got it!" Penelope shouted.

"Your turn, Milo!" Mama said as Milo got to the donkey booth.

Around and around the blindfolded Milo spun. He wobbled forward, reached out his hand, and stuck the tail. Giggles could be heard all around.

Milo lifted his blindfold. "Hey, you're not a donkey!"

"Okay, Little Pumpkin," Mama said. "Are you ready to go?"

"Still not tired, Mama!" Milo shouted, racing to the next game.

The music played at the cupcake walk, and round and round the numbered path the children marched.

Suddenly the music stopped, and everyone froze on their number.

"Number 2!" the announcer called. "That's you, Little Pumpkin!"

Milo wobbled over to the table and picked an extra special cupcake.

"How exciting, my sleepy Little Pumpkin!" Mama said.

"But I'm not too sleepy, Mama ..."

Little Pumpkin and his friends headed over to the art table next.

"I'm going to paint a bright orange pumpkin," Cooper said.

Little Pumpkin giggled. "You can paint a picture of me."

"Tucker!" Penelope exclaimed, pointing at the puppy's orange paw prints.

All the kids giggled, but Milo was starting to feel sleepy....

Milo and his friends wandered over to the next table—the goldfish game. Rows of fishbowls, with a goldfish in each, lined the table. The worker handed the children a few Ping-Pong balls.

Milo crinkled his nose, aimed carefully, and tossed.

Plink! Right in the bowl.

"You won a goldfish!"

"I'm going to name him Thaddeus," Little Pumpkin proudly declared.

Milo, Ethan, and Penelope decided to try the Taffy Pull next.

"Let's see how far we can stretch it!" Ethan said.

Milo and Ethan stretched and stretched and stretched the sticky, gooey candy—until it almost reached the ground!

"Don't let Tucker get the taffy!" Little Pumpkin said.

"Your turn, Milo!" Ethan said.

"Watch this!" Milo swung his arm to roll the pumpkin bowling ball. But as he let go o f the pumpkin, Milo stumbled and fumbled and rolled straight for the gourds!

Down, down, down the hill he went, bouncing along and knocking down all the pins in one try!

"Strike!" Ethan said with glee.

"Let's go to the photo booth," Ethan said. "I'm going to wear goofy glasses!"

"I'm going to put on a crazy wig," Penelope said.

Little Pumpkin and Cooper squeezed in the booth, making funny faces as the camera snapped.

"You guys look silly!" their friend Hazel said.