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A Scare-Proof Halloween: 5 Picture Books for Sensitive Readers
Halloween is the time when little ghosts and goblins whoop it up in all their costumed glory, but it can be a downright terrifying experience for kids who are easily frightened. If your child is on the sensitive side and feels upset by even mildly spooky Halloween themes, set the tone for a scare-proof holiday with these five picture books that are festive but not freaky.
Moonlight: The Halloween Cat, by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Melissa Sweet
Kids who dread Halloween haunts will find their fears transforming into pure delight when they embark on this gentle journey with Moonlight, a lovable cat who waits for Halloween night all year long. Moonlight takes readers on a tour through her neighborhood to see all of her favorite sights—smiling pumpkins, welcoming scarecrows, trick-or-treating kids, and a variety of nocturnal creatures that seem to share her love for this special time of year.
The Curious Little Witch, by Lieve Baeten
Beautifully crafted by Flemish author and illustrator Lieve Baeten, the first book in the Little Witch series introduces Lizzie, a young witch with a rather high curiosity quotient. As Lizzie flies across the night skies on her broomstick, it seems that the whole world is asleep—until she spots a house that is ablaze with lights. Unable to resist such a tempting discovery, Lizzie and her kitty companion take a detour on their witching journey to investigate, finding plenty of playful surprises along the way.
Pumpkin Day, Pumpkin Night, by Anne Rockwell, illustrated by Megan Halsey
Wee ones who recoil at any hint of the hairy, scary aspects of Halloween will appreciate this simple story chronicling a young boy’s excitement as he and his mom search for the perfect pumpkin. Focusing more on the annual ritual of pumpkin picking than on All Hallow’s Eve itself, Rockwell gingerly captures the fun steps that lead up to unveiling a homemade jack-o-lantern that glows brightly in the dark of night.
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Too Many Pumpkins, by Linda White, illustrated by Megan Lloyd
Ever since silver-haired Rebecca Estelle was a small child, she has sworn off pumpkins. She won’t look at them, touch them, or eat them, and don’t even think about asking her plant them in her beautiful garden! Though Rebecca Estelle is convinced that her existence will forever remain pumpkin-free, she is forced to confront her old nemesis when a big, round, suspiciously orange interloper arrives at her house. What will Rebecca Estelle do about this squashy situation? You bet your jack-o-lantern she’ll jump into action.
Harriet’s Halloween Candy, by Nancy Carlson
Halloween has finally come, and Harriet the dog makes the trick-or-treating rounds like a pro. By the time she returns home, she has enough sweets in her candy bag to feed a passel of pups. But don’t get any ideas! Harriet is no charitable donor. After reluctantly sharing one piece (the icky kind) with her little brother Walt, she decides to eat the rest of the glorious treats all by herself. Will Harriet and her stomach conquer this sugary bounty, or will a digestive revolt force her to reconsider her greedy game plan?
Do you have any fear-free Halloween tales to add to our list?