Stone Bookworms: Storybook Pumpkin Museum and Autumn Arcade

This year, we are having a Storybook Pumpkin Museum and Autumn Arcade in the library! Here is the recipe for participation!

Storybook Pumpkin Museum for grades k-5
To participate, you will need:
A pumpkin (any size or shape)
Book for inspiration
Acrylic paint and brushes
Newspaper (for catching the mess while painting)
Glue gun (optional, but it works well)
Craft supplies (paper, pom-poms, yarn?)
Imagination!!!

Rules:

All pumpkins are to be inspired by a children's book or children's book character. Please bring in the book that inspired the pumpkin decoration if possible, to be displayed beside it and returned after the showcase. Pumpkins without a reading theme will be sent home for decoration there.
Please bring in your completed pumpkin on Monday, October 28. Please do not bring your pumpkin earlier than that date.
Please DO NOT CARVE THE PUMPKIN. Sticking things in the pumpkin is okay, but full-on-scoop-it-out designs cannot be accepted. Carved pumpkins rot quickly, attract pests and have a strong smell. We would have nasty pumpkin soup all over the library in three days.
Yes, you can work with friends and family are are encouraged to do so. Children of different ages and grade levels can work together. Parents, please try not to do the project without your kids. ;-)
Like the Haunted House Museum in the past, please, no blood or gore. We are celebrating imagination, not horror.
Make sure to put your name(s) and room number(s) on the bottom of pumpkin; we have masking tape in the library if you need it.
Books and pumpkins will be returned to you in time for Halloween. Pick up end of the day October 31st.
The activity is optional. Fun is always an option.
All kids who participate will get a treat when they pick them up on the 31st.
Scroll down to photos below for inspiration! Credits are hyperlinked (click on them!) for further examples. These are just ideas, feel free to decorate using your own favorite!

Middle School Autumn Arcade

Rules:

Ms. Esme and Ms. Johnson's 8th grade advisory group will be hosting an "autumn arcade" In collaboration with the library and inspired by "Caine's Arcade," the building of Autumn-theme Arcade Games. All middle school students are invited to join the fun. Grab some cardboard boxes, some paint and some imagination and build a game other children can play.
You may work with up to 2 friends.
Games accepted in the library starting Wednesday, October 29th.
Children in grades k-2 will be playing the games in the afternoon of October 31st.
Please keep your arcade game in keeping with the autumn theme. It does not have to be specifically Halloween-themed. Please, no blood or body parts. Keep in mind, very young children will be enjoying these games.
Some older kids have been asking me about extra credit. Sure. If you make a wonderful project and are in grades 6 and up, I'll give you five points of extra credit. A special treat will be given to kids who decorate accordingly and attract the most players.
Prizes are optional, but should be handmade. Stickers are acceptable. Bookmarks make wonderful prizes. Hint-hint.

What about the Parade of Books?

We are still going to have a primary Parade of Books, after all, we love it! But we are going to have it as a springtime celebratory culmination of primary reading goals. Something to look forward to, and more time to plan the best costume ever!

Please feel free to see me or contact me with any questions or thoughts. October is such a creative month. Have fun, can't wait to see these amazing autumnal creations!