Hello, hello, hello!
Yesterday, while my kids and I visited my folks, I watched my mother training my children how to trick or treat. Now, George is almost 4, so he has a few years of sugar-grubbing under his belt, but Olivia, at almost 2, is pretty new to the concept.
George is going as a dinosaur (hopefully…if I can convince him to actually wear his costume). And so, be forewarned that George has been trained (by the elder generation) to “trick-or-treat, ROAR!” whenever an unsuspecting candy-offerer answers his or her door. Don’t be afraid of the roar, as he’s actually quite timid around strangers.
Our little, tutu’d Minnie Mouse, on the other hand, may be more intimidating with her 2-year-old roar, though it’ll be pitched a bit higher.
A year ago, I posted about our favorite not-so-scary Halloween books, so I thought I’d follow tradition and post again. Admittedly, two are repeats, but Olivia discovered the board book this year, and I’ve had to read it over and over and…
Baby’s First Halloween – I’ve had two children claim this book as a favorite, and I still don’t understand why. There’s a single photographed object and a single word on each page. It was the first book to make George respond with an animal sound (he hoo-hooted like an owl at the appropriate time), so it has a special place in my heart. Olivia now yells, “puntin!” on the pumpkin page, so she’s following right along.
You’re My Little Pumpkin Pie, illustrated by Natalie Marshall – I’m not sure how I feel about the “you’re good enough to eat” message when communicated from parent to child. However, this adorably illustrated board book pairs mommy pumpkins and babies, baby ghosts and mamas, and baby spiders with daddies (which always elicits a rendition of “Itsy Bitsy Spider” from my children).
Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson – This is the second repeat on my Halloween list. The rhyming is just so fun. A witch loses all kinds of things, only to gain numerous animal friends along the way. With too much weight on her broom, havoc is wreaked and the group has to work together to save the day.
Hansel & Gretel by Bethan Woollvin – I feel like Bethan Woollvin is the demon sitting on the shoulder of my sense of humor. Her picture books are hil-arious, but oh so dark! She masterfully retells fairy tales, but they leave you with a little bit of…Whew! This is a kid’s book? And her illustrations are fantastic. While not technically Halloween-y, I think we can all agree the story of Hansel and Gretel has its place in the deep, dark woods.
And one for the older kids/adults!
The House in Poplar Wood by K.E. Ormsbee – OK, I’m going to be one of those obnoxious people and name drop. I was an English major at Samford University with this author (Katie is her first name). While she’s a year behind me, she was mountains above me in terms of talent. Her fifth middle-grade novel is coming out, and her third young-adult novel is on its way. Crazy talented. This particular book is fantastic for the Halloween season. It’s a creepy, but not-too-dark story about Death, Memory, and Passion and their human companions. I loved it.
I’ll be reviewing Frankenstein for Mama’s October Reading Challenge soon. I’m at the tail-end of my audiobook! With dinner and dishes pending, I should finish it tonight.
Got any spooky stories to share?