“1st prize, 2nd prize, 3rd prize, or none - At Thanksgiving time, more than a contest is won.”
—Opening quote
The Berenstain Bears and the Prize Pumpkin is a book in the Berenstain Bears First Time Books series. It was first published on September 12, 1990.
It was later adapted into an episode of the same name from the 2002 TV series, The Berenstain Bears.
Synopsis[]
November has come, and Papa Bear and the rest of the family are entering the Thanksgiving Festival's Big Pumpkin Contest.
Summary[]
In the late fall, the cubs are helping Papa Bear tend his pumpkin patch. One particular pumpkin, which Papa has dubbed "The Giant" is growing much larger than the others. Papa is excited to enter "The Giant" in the upcoming Big Pumpkin contest, and beat longtime champion Farmer Ben, so their pumpkin can be on display in City Hall, rather than his.
Aside from this, the cubs feel bored, as Halloween is over, and Christmas is still about two months away. Mama informs them that another holiday is coming up: Thanksgiving. A time for families to be grateful for what they have. Unfortunately, Papa is still bent on beating Farmer Ben, rather than anything else, and he devotes his time to nurturing "The Giant" pumpkin any way how. He even goes as far as to sneak into Farmer Ben's field late one night, with the cubs, to spy on the competition, and they narrowly avoid getting caught, with Papa's overalls getting damaged in the process.
Finally, the Big Pumpkin contest arrives. Papa thinks no other pumpkin in the contest compares to "The Giant", except just maybe Farmer Ben's entry "The Monster"! In the end, "The Monster" goes on to win the contest. Lizz McGrizz's entry "Autumn Gold" comes in second, and "The Giant" comes in third, much to the dismay of Papa and the cubs.
On their way home, Mama reminds her family of the true meaning of Thanksgiving, and they somehow do seem to understand. When Thanksgiving day comes, Sister is actually grateful that they lost, as they were able to make pumpkin pie out of "The Giant" rather than simply seeing it on display.
Cast[]
- Brother Bear
- Farmer Ben
- Mama Bear
- Papa Q. Bear
- Sister Bear
- Farmer Ben
- Lizz McGrizz (Cameo)