In October 2011, Derek Dextraze came up with the idea of writing a children’s book to help kids overcome bullying.  He created the characters and also most of the story-line. By October 2013, Derek and Caitlin Crowley had finished writing the first book they called The Pumpkin Wizard. As of 2020, The Pumpkin Wizard series has 3 books in the series and there are many more installments to come in the future. The Pumpkin Wizard was a finalist in The 2017 Best Book Awards and also at the 2017 New Eng­land Book Fes­ti­val.

The Pumpkin Wizard series is created by Derek Dextraze, written by Derek Dextraze, Caitlin Crowley, and Dawn Dextraze, illustrated by Tab Cole and Emily Drouin.