Halloween took a creative turn at Queen Elizabeth School this year, as families embraced a festive challenge that brought literature to life—one pumpkin at a time.
The school’s Book-Themed Pumpkin Decorating Contest invited families to transform pumpkins into beloved book characters, merging seasonal fun with a celebration of reading.
From Charlotte’s Web to The Wild Robot, the school library was transformed into a vibrant gallery of imaginative designs.
“I follow different libraries online and got the idea from one of them,” said Kelsey Trach, Library Technician at Lloydminster Public School Division. “I was glad to see our families and students embrace this challenge with such enthusiasm. It was a great way to link a fun Halloween activity with literacy. Anytime we can get our students excited about books, characters, and stories is a win.”
Display contest
Each pumpkin was displayed alongside the book that inspired it, allowing students to explore the stories behind the designs. On Thursday, October 30, students visited the library throughout the day to admire the entries and vote for their favourites. The winning family received movie passes—but the real prize was the creativity and community spirit.
Among the standout entries were the Kohle siblings, who took home first place for their Wild Robot-themed pumpkin.
Grade 5 student Jaimz Kohle shared her inspiration.
“The Wild Robot is one of my favourite stories, and I was excited to bring it to life through our pumpkin. My mom helped get the materials, but I did most of the construction. I even added a bird on Roz’s shoulder to be Brightbill!.”
Her younger brother, J., who is in grade 2 added, “I helped a little, but my sister did most of it. My favourite part is the pumpkin’s eyes—they light up and change colours like a real robot.”
From monster-themed books to timeless classics, the contest showcased the power of storytelling and the joy of reading. It was a reminder that books can inspire creativity far beyond the page—and that even a pumpkin can tell a story.
