The Pumpkin Pact: A New Halloween Children’s Book by Marissa Molina

A new halloween world is beginning to take shape at Imagination Reality.

Children’s author Marissa Molina is currently developing The Pumpkin Pact, an upcoming illustrated Halloween story for young readers, with artwork by illustrator Jasper Salazar.

This Halloween story is set within the unusual autumn world of Hallowveil, The Pumpkin Pact follows a group of young characters whose differences are part of what makes each of them powerful. As they uncover secrets, face misunderstandings, and learn whom they can trust, the friends begin discovering what it means to belong without hiding who they really are.

At the center of the story is Evee, a Korean American girl with a hearing aid, fake fangs, and a growing awareness that something within Hallowveil is calling to her. She is joined by Salem, Ash, Luna, and Frankella, a group filled with very different personalities, reactions, and ideas about what they should do next.

Their journey is mysterious, funny, emotional, and just a little gothic—but it is not a horror story. Beneath the pumpkins, relics, hidden passageways, and strange occurrences is a story about friendship and identity.

One of the ideas shaping the book is:

“The right friends draw out the truest version of yourself.”

That message is especially important for children who have ever felt different, misunderstood, or unsure of where they belong. The Pumpkin Pact celebrates friendships that do not require someone to become smaller, quieter, or more “normal” to be accepted.

Illustrated by Jasper Salazar

The world of Hallowveil is being brought to life by Jasper Salazar, who also illustrated Marissa Molina’s book Eggwish.

For The Pumpkin Pact, Marissa and Jasper are developing a visual style that combines cinematic children’s animation with a playful gothic atmosphere. The world features rich purples, harvest oranges, deep reds, warm golds, expressive characters, and a modern energy designed to feel mysterious without becoming frightening.

Every illustration is being created to carry part of the storytelling, from the characters’ individual attitudes to the hidden details within their surroundings.

A New Halloween World From Imagination Reality

The Pumpkin Pact is part of Marissa Molina’s growing collection of original stories and characters created through Imagination Reality.

Imagination Reality develops books, characters, and magical worlds designed to nurture children as they hope, imagine, and become. Its stories explore friendship, identity, misunderstanding, kindness, and the ways imagination can allow children to practice who they want to become.

More behind-the-scenes looks at The Pumpkin Pact, its characters, and Jasper Salazar’s illustrations will be shared as the book continues to develop.

The Pumpkin Pact Illustration In Progress by Jasper Salazar