Pumpkin and Beetle: Two Vampire Cats

Meet Pumpkin and Beetle, two vampire cat best friends, as they explore their cozy-spooky town together in this early graphic novel.

Vampire cats are just like other cats, except they sleep during the day, they only eat red foods, and they go to school at night!

One night after school, Pumpkin and Beetle discover everyone in Hallowsville is reading the latest Frightfuls comic. Everyone except them, that is. When they check their wallets, they only have a quarter and a bug. Determined not to miss out, they brainstorm all sorts of ways to make money. They'll sell crabapples! They'll set carved crabapples! They'll sell carved crabapple muffins!

Will their silly schemes work in time? Will they be the only cats in town without the comic? As the two friends explore their community in search of a solution, they'll meet witches, werewolves, and other monster neighbors in this delightful adventure for young graphic novel readers. Jannie Ho's adorably cute art is filled with Halloween town worldbuilding. The book also includes a town map, a recipe for muffins, and even a sample of the treasured Frightful comic!

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Author: Jannie Ho
Publisher: Holiday House
Published: 08/05/2025
Pages: 80
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.35lbs
Size: 7.90h x 6.00w x 0.30d
ISBN: 9780823461585
Audience: Ages 4-8


Review Citation(s):
Horn Book Magazine 09/01/2025 pg. 66

About the Author
Born in Hong Kong and raised in Philadelphia, Jannie Ho moved to New York to study illustration at Parsons School of Design. After working as a graphic designer and an art director at many fun places such as Nickelodeon, Scholastic, and TIME Magazine for Kids, she decided that illustration was her true calling. Jannie (also known as Chicken Girl) now specializes in illustrating for the children's market, with her work appearing in both trade and educational books, magazines, toys, crafts and digital media. She currently lives in Boston, MA with her husband and daughter.