Decorating a pumpkin a time-honored tradition and at two Massapequa elementary schools, it was turned into a celebration of literacy.

Fifth graders at Lockhart Elementary School were invited to transform pumpkins into storybook characters in the third annual event. It was coordinated by library media specialist Tara Gonzalez as a fun activity to connect children with their favorite characters from the books they love. By displaying the pumpkins in the hallway, it helped promote a love of reading among all Lockhart students.

McKenna Elementary School hosted its first Storybook Characters Pumpkin Contest for students in kindergarten through fifth grade and received 118 entries. The event was organized by Assistant Principal Mary Anne Ferraro and pumpkins were judged on creativity, representation of the character and overall design. Children decorated the pumpkins with their families to support the home-school connection.