Fun-sized Halloween Books for Youngsters

Halloween. It may be a kid's favorite holiday, but with candy at its core, not to mention gallavanting around after dark, parents may not find themselves quite so enthused. But Halloween doesn't have to be about sugar and scares. Whether it's sharing a prized pumpkin, braving Halloween fears, or solving a tricky mystery, these Halloween books treat their readers to something more than candy-coated tummies: a fun-sized Halloween lesson.

The Biggest Pumpkin Ever by Steven Kroll. Illustrated by Jeni Bassett ( Cartwheel Books, 2007) Grades: preschool-third

Clayton, the house mouse, and Desmond, the field mouse, are both in love with the same pumpkin. Every day, Clayton tends to the pumpkin, and Desmond takes care of it every night, watering, fertilizing, and even covering it with blankets when an autumn chill is in the air. Trouble is, each mouse doesn't know that the other exists. How can the pumpkin be growing so fast? The scene is set for trouble, but instead of fighting over the pumpkin, when the mice discover one another, they work together to share the pumpkin.

This charming picture book is a very sweet introduction to agricultural concepts (the mice give the pumpkin sugar-water to make it grow faster) and to the idea of sharing. Great for preschool reading aloud, and individual reading for a few years after that, this book shows kids that Halloween can be about friendship and teamwork, not just candy and costumes.

Happy Halloween, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt. Illustrated by Cyd Moore (Cartwheel Books, 2007) Grades: preschool-third

Stinky Face is a young boy filled with questions and doubts. This time, it's Halloween that's giving him misgivings. As his mother tries to allay his fears, young children will identify with the need for reassurance, especially on the spookiest of nights.

While parents may be equally amused and exasperated by Stinky Face's increasingly anxious questions (“What if my teeth get stuck in my caramel apple and I can't get my face loose?”), kids will feel their own fears pale in comparison with this unabashed scaredy-cat. With beautiful illustrations that capture the excitement of trick-or-treating and the thrill of crazy costumes, Happy Halloween, Stinky Face is the perfect book for a nervous nelly on Halloween night.

The Pumpkin Elf Mystery by Abby Klein. Illustrated by John McKinley (The Blue Sky Press, 2007) Grades: first-fourth

In this Halloween installment of the Ready, Freddy! series, Freddy's classroom is visited by the Pumpkin Elf, who likes to play tricks but promises treats, too. After being led on a tricky treasure hunt through the school, the Pumpkin Elf surprises each student with a beautiful pumpkin for the pumpkin decorating contest. Freddy thinks that his idea is the greatest, but when his pumpkin disappears, he is faced with a mystery: is the Pumpkin Elf just a trickster, or a friend? Will Freddy win the pumpkin prize?

In this beginning chapter book, the story unfolds over ninety pages of appealing illustrations and engaging action. Young readers will recognize archetypal characters, such as Max, the class meanie, and the benevolent Mrs. Wushy, as well as revel in the exciting plotline, narrated by Freddy himself. The pumpkin decorating content will give lots of ideas for creative jack-o-lanterns, and, if they're extra good, kids just may find evidence of the Pumpkin Elf in their own homes, too!