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As kids get settled into another academic year, parents start preparing for the holiday season. But before you get out the turkey roaster, menorahs and Christmas tree ornaments, don't forget about Halloween!
And while Halloween evokes feelings of freight on that very spooky night, CP magazine has unmasked a collection of Halloween tales that will entertain and even a few that will ease the minds of weary trick-or-treaters.
Night before Halloween
by Natasha Wing, Illustrated by Cynthia Fisher
"'Twas the night before Halloween, and all through the house, all the creatures were stirring, except for the mouse. The monsters had gathered to plan and prepare, for the trick-or-treaters who soon would be there...."
Little monsters and goofy goblins take center stage in this silly, spooky spin on Clement C. Moore's beloved poem. But what will happen on Halloween when the monsters come face to face with human trick-or-treaters?
1999. Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers. Ages 4 to 8.
Moonlight: The Halloween Cat
by Cynthia Rylant, Illustrated by Melissa Sweet
Softly padding through the darkness, Moonlight explores the world on her favorite night, Halloween.
The town and countryside glow with shining stars. The wide yellow moon lights pumpkins, raccoons, and children out having fun. . . .
Told in eloquently simple, lyrical words, with dazzling, luminous paintings, Moonlight evokes not just the excitement of Halloween, but something more -- the reassuring warmth and friendliness that is a special part of this special night.
2003. HarperCollins Children's Books. Ages 3 to 8.
On Halloween Night
by Harriet Ziefert, Illustrated by Renee W. Andriani
Emily is so excited, she is dancing. Tonight is Halloween, and she is getting dressed to go out. What costume will she wear? She has a cape that her grandma bought to go with the skirt that her grandpa brought. There are socks with stripes on the side, a purse with strings untied. She has a necklace all twisty and black, and a spooky pointed hat.
A cumulative rhyme and charming pictures bring Emily to life as she prepares for an evening that is sure to be creepy-and lots of fun.
2001. Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers. Ages 5 to 7.
Mouse's First Halloween
by Lauren Thompson, Illustrated by Buket Erdogan
One spooky night in the fall, Mouse creeps out and hears bats flying
Flit! Flit! Flit!
and apples dropping
Plop! Plop! Plop!
and children singing
"TRICK OR TREAT!"
What could it be?
Little Mouse returns and this time it is for a Halloween adventure. First she sees something flying in the night sky. "Eeek!" What could it be? Just bats, nothing really scary. Next Mouse hears something rustling, sees something flapping, and so on, each time the object or animal proves to be innocuous. They all relate to fall and Halloween and the litany end up with a group of trick-or-treaters who share some goodies with Mouse. The nighttime setting in dark shades and fussy pastels are slightly scary, just enough to set the mood, but not really frightening. The story can be used to reassure kids just beginning to experience Halloween and to teach that many things that may seem scary at first, really are not.
2003. Simon & Schuster. Ages 2 to 6.
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