Three spook-tacular books and activities for kids.
By: Jessica Boyd
Halloween is an exciting time for kids – and grownups, too! Who doesn’t love dressing up, going for a nighttime walk… and collecting free candy along the way? To get into the Halloween spirit, we’ve got three terrific book recommendations:
Scholastic Press
Zen Ghosts
Everyone loves a good ghost story, and “Zen Ghosts” by Jon J. Muth is just perfect for an older reader (grade one and up). This is a sequel to Muth’s “Zen Shorts” and stars the same delightful cast. Stillwater, the enlightened panda, accompanies Michael, Karl and Addy trick-or-treating and then takes them to hear a ghost story. The story-within-a-story is a little bit complex, so it’s not something you’d want to read with a preschooler. As a ghost story, it’s more spooky than scary, and definitely leaves the reader with some unanswered questions!
Random House Books for Young Readers
The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat
Everyone knows the Berenstain Bears – and most little ones will enjoy the simple story of “The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat”. Brother and Sister Bear are ready for a night of candy collecting. They talk about all the important rules to keep in mind (like staying in their own neighborhood and not eating candy before Mama takes a look at it). When Brother makes a map of their trick-or-treat route, the cubs decide to avoid Miz McGrizz’s spooky old tree house – even though Mama insists looks can be deceiving and that she’s actually a nice old bear (and not a witch, as Brother and Sister think). On Halloween night, Brother and Sister end up at Miz McGrizz’s house and are shocked to receive a delicious candy apple – and to find out she’s actually a kind old lady.
HarperCollins
10-Step Guide to Living with Your Monster
Finally, if you’ve got a little one who isn’t overly thrilled with the scary side of Halloween, try a book like Laura Numeroff’s “10-Step Guide to Living with Your Monster”. Even though the subject matter is definitely monster-centric, the story is absolutely sweet and not at all scary. The guide covers everything from the choosing and naming to the care and feeding of a pet monster. Even the littlest kids will enjoy the colorful illustrations and humorous text.
Here are some fun activities you can do to extend the story beyond the book!
Tell a Ghostly Tale: This is especially fun for older kids. Sit in a circle and dim the lights. Turn on a flashlight and hold it under your chin. Start telling a spooky story. When you get to a cliffhanger (“She opened the door and saw…”) pass the flashlight to the next person. Keep passing the flashlight around the circle until your story ends. With so many storytellers, you never know what kind of tale you’ll end up with!
Trick or Treat Map: Like Sister and Brother, you and your child can make a trick or treat map. Just get a large piece of paper and some markers. Work together to draw the streets in your neighborhood, and make an ‘X’ on houses you’d like to visit. On Halloween night, carry your map with you!
The BEST Candy in the World: In “Zen Ghosts”, Stillwater especially enjoyed eating bamboo flavored Snookers bars. Ask your child what kind of candy they would like most of all – and have them come up with a recipe for their ultimate candy creation. If you’re feeling especially brave, try making it with them!
Make a Monster: There’s no wrong way to make a monster! Ask your child what type of monster they would like for a pet (maybe a monster that can bake cookies? Or one that can fly them to school?) and then get out your art supplies and let their imagination take over. When the monster is ready, be sure to give it a name and introduce it to the rest of the family!
Happy Halloween!
