Countdown to Halloween!
Page 4
Snoopy and Woodstock both looked around and nodded, although they weren’t exactly sure what Linus meant by “the most sincere pumpkin patch you’ve ever seen.” Pumpkin patches all looked the same to them!
“I sat here thinking about everyone out trick-or-treating,” Linus told Snoopy and Woodstock.
He paused and then he continued, “I wondered if you were all having fun and getting lots of candy. Then I thought about the big Halloween party at Violet’s house. I wondered if everyone wore great costumes and danced and bobbed for apples.
“But then I thought about the Great Pumpkin, and I knew when he showed up, it would be worth the wait. Finally seeing the Great Pumpkin would be better than any Halloween candy or party or costume.”
Then Linus fell silent for a moment again.
“But he never showed up,” he said sadly.
Snoopy and Woodstock felt terrible for their friend. Snoopy grabbed Linus’s hand and looked up at him with big, sad eyes. Snoopy then looked over at Woodstock.
What can we do to make Linus feel better? Snoopy wondered.
It was as if Linus could read Snoopy’s mind. “Thank you, Snoopy for your concern,” he said. “But I’m so sad. I don’t think anything would make me feel better right now.”
Suddenly, Woodstock began chirping excitedly to Snoopy.
Snoopy smiled at Woodstock. He nodded.
Then they both wrapped Linus in the biggest hug ever! And they wouldn’t let go!
“You know what, guys?” Linus said. “I do feel better! Thanks!”
A Story for October 28
A Scary Costume
Snoopy and Woodstock were trying to make Linus laugh and forget about the Great Pumpkin. Snoopy was great at doing impressions, so he acted out the reactions he and Woodstock got while trick-or-treating.
First, he was a grumpy old man. Then he imitated a sweet old lady who gave them lots of treats. Finally, he imitated the house that had six cats—both Snoopy and Woodstock had run away in a hurry!
“It sounds like you both had a lot of fun, even with all the cats,” Linus said.
Both Snoopy and Woodstock nodded happily. Linus realized that neither one of them had a costume on.
“Hey, what did you dress up as?” he asked.
Woodstock flew into his treat bag for a moment and pulled out a Snoopy costume. He put it on to show Linus.
“That’s great—you look like a mini Snoopy!” Linus turned to the real Snoopy and said, “He could be your little brother,” which made both Snoopy and Woodstock laugh really hard! “And what about you, Snoopy? What did you dress up as? Did you dress up as Woodstock?”
Snoopy shook his head no, but he smiled at Woodstock. That would have been a good idea! he told Woodstock, making him giggle.
“So if you weren’t Woodstock, what did you dress up as? Did you dress up as something scary?”
Snoopy nodded.
“Really scary?” Linus asked.
Snoopy nodded yes again.
“A monster? A ghost? A vampire bat?” Linus guessed.
Snoopy and Woodstock both shook their heads no to all those things.
“Okay, I give up. What did you dress up as that was scarier than monsters, ghosts, or vampire bats?” Linus said.
Snoopy turned around for a moment. When he turned back and faced Linus, his ears were all curled up and he had a very crabby look on his face. He looked just like Linus’s sister Lucy when she was mad!
Linus laughed. “You’re right Snoopy—there’s nothing scarier than Lucy when she’s angry!”
A Story for October 29
Lucy and Rerun Are the Best!
The day after Halloween, Linus didn’t want to get out of bed because he didn’t want anyone to ask, “Sooo, how was the Great Pumpkin? Did you get lots of presents?”
Linus groaned and pulled the covers over his head. He wished he could stay in bed all day. He wished he could stay in bed all week!
Just then, his sister Lucy poked her head into his room. “Mom told me to make sure you get up,” she said. “Or you’ll be late for school.”
Linus sighed. “Fine,” he said and sat up in bed. He looked over at Lucy. He was waiting for her to make a joke about the Great Pumpkin. “Well?”
“Well, what?” Lucy asked. “Why are you looking at me like that? Hurry up and get dressed!” Then Lucy ran out of his room.
Hmmm, Linus thought. That was odd. He wondered if Lucy was up to something.
As Linus brushed his teeth, he started to feel a little sad again. He thought about all the fun he missed, especially trick-or-treating. Not only did he not get to dress up and hang out with his friends, but he also didn’t get any candy!
Did Lucy and Rerun get lots of treats? It was going to be awful watching both of them enjoy it all. He wondered if they would share any of it with him. Probably not.
Linus then remembered that before she went trick-or-treating, Lucy had said to him, “Don’t expect us to get any candy for you.”
He got dressed and rushed down the stairs. It was a little late, so he’d have to hurry through his breakfast.
As he ran into the kitchen, he stopped short. Next to his cereal bowl was a big Halloween trick-or-treat bag. He peeked inside. It was filled with candy!
“Surprise!” someone yelled.
Linus turned around. Lucy and Rerun were there, smiling at him.
“You didn’t really think we’d forget about you, did you?” Lucy said.
“Happy day after Halloween!” Rerun shouted.
It was the best day after Halloween ever!
A Story for October 30
Never Give Up!
The week before Halloween, Linus invited all of his friends at school to come sit with him in the pumpkin patch to wait for the Great Pumpkin, but they all turned him down.
While walking home, Linus ran into Peppermint Patty.
“Hey, Linus, why do you look so glum?” she asked.
“No one believes in the Great Pumpkin,” Linus told her.
“What’s a Great Pumpkin?” Peppermint Patty asked.
Linus’s eyes lit up. He told Peppermint Patty all about the Great Pumpkin and how he brought children presents and warm autumn wishes.
Peppermint Patty perked up at the word “presents.”
“The Great Pumpkin brings presents?” she repeated. “Really?”
“Yes,” Linus said.
“I’m in!” Peppermint Patty said. “See you on Halloween, Linus!”
On Halloween night, Peppermint Patty sat in the pumpkin patch with Linus. “I can’t wait for my new baseball glove,” Peppermint Patty said. “That’s what I told the Great Pumpkin I wanted.”
“You told him what to bring you?” Linus shouted. “Now he’ll never come! Leave this pumpkin patch right now!”
Linus was alone in the pumpkin patch. And once again, the Great Pumpkin never showed up.
The next day he apologized to Peppermint Patty. “I’m sorry I yelled at you last night,” he said.
Peppermint Patty smiled. “It’s okay. And cheer up, there’s always next year.”
Linus shook his head. “Maybe it’s time for me to stop believing.”
Marcie walked over to Linus. “Don’t stop believing, Linus,” she said. “Believing makes you a dreamer. And that’s a great thing! The world needs more dreamers.”
Suddenly, Linus felt better. “Thanks so much, Marcie,” he said.
“And who knows?” Marcie continued. “Maybe the Great Zucchini will show up next year!”
A Story for October 31
The Great Pumpkin Exists!
Another Halloween had come and gone. Linus looked around the pumpkin patch. He felt a little pang of sadness when he thought about the trick-or-treating and other fun he had missed. But even though he thought for sure this was going to be the year he would see the Great Pumpkin, Linus would not let himself be discouraged. There was always next year.
Linus shivered. It was getting late and cold. I
t was time for him to head home. He gave the pumpkin patch one last look. Why hadn’t the Great Pumpkin come? Was there really a more sincere pumpkin patch than this one?
Linus sighed. All the kids would ask him about the Great Pumpkin, and he would have to admit he never came. Again.
Then something caught his eye. Linus saw that it was a small, shiny Halloween bag with a smiling pumpkin on it and a tag with his name.
He peeked inside the bag, and he saw his favorite candy bar and a note:
Dear Linus,
Happy Halloween.
Love,
The Great Pumpkin
Linus quickly looked around. He was alone, but… the Great Pumpkin came! He left him his favorite candy bar! It was the greatest Halloween ever! He couldn’t wait to tell Charlie Brown, Lucy, Rerun, and the rest of his friends. He smiled all the way home.
Linus was so happy he never noticed Snoopy and Woodstock hiding behind a huge pumpkin. When Linus was gone, Snoopy and Woodstock looked at each other and smiled. Then they high-fived.
Mission accomplished, Snoopy thought.
They were so happy they were able to make their friend happy. It really was the best Halloween ever!
Dear Great Pumpkin…
Adapted by Tina Gallo
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
My Sweet Babboo!
Adapted by May Nakamura
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Things Could Get Lost in a Pumpkin Patch
Adapted by Tina Gallo
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
I Was Never Here
Adapted by Tina Gallo
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Get the Name Right!
Adapted by May Nakamura
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
The Perfect Halloween Treat
Adapted by Tina Gallo
Based on Happy Halloween, Charlie Brown!
© 2018, 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Practice Makes Perfect
Adapted by Tina Gallo
Based on Happy Halloween, Charlie Brown!
© 2018, 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
The Perfect Costume
Adapted by Ximena Hastings
Based on Happy Halloween, Charlie Brown!
© 2018, 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Choosing a Costume Is Hard
Adapted by Ximena Hastings
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Lucy Surprises Schroeder
Adapted by Patty Michaels
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Pigpen Surprises Linus
Adapted by Tina Gallo
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Linus Has a Bad Day
Adapted by Tina Gallo
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Lucy and Rerun Are Good Siblings!
Adapted by Tina Gallo
Based on Happy Halloween, Charlie Brown!
© 2018, 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Spreading the Word
Adapted by May Nakamura
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
A Costume for Woodstock
Adapted by Tina Gallo
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Dear Ms. Great Pumpkin!
Adapted by Tina Gallo
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Halloween Means Scary Stories
Adapted by Ximena Hastings
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
A Misunderstanding
Adapted by Tina Gallo
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Go Away!
Adapted by Tina Gallo
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Lucky Snoopy
Adapted by May Nakamura
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Sally Loves Nicknames
Adapted by Tina Gallo
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Halloween Crush
Adapted by Tina Gallo
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Halloween Means Naturally Curly Hair
Adapted by Patty Michaels
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
And the Winner Is…
Adapted by Tina Gallo
Based on Happy Halloween, Charlie Brown!
© 2018, 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Second Chance
Adapted by Tina Gallo
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Check It Out!
Adapted by Tina Gallo
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Let’s Cheer Up Linus
Adapted by Tina Gallo
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
A Scary Costume
Adapted by Tina Gallo
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Lucy and Rerun Are the Best!
Adapted by Tina Gallo
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Never Give Up!
Adapted by Tina Gallo
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
The Great Pumpkin Exists!
Adapted by Tina Gallo
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
About the Author
Charles M. Schulz is a legend. He was the hand and heart behind fifty years of Peanuts, which featured one of the world’s most beloved and recognizable casts of cartoon characters, until his death in 2000.
Visit us at simonandschuster.com/kids
www.SimonandSchuster.com/Authors/Charles-M-Schulz
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