Tag: Holidays

Bears in the Night

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Bears in the Night  (1971)
by Stan and Jan Berenstain

This is a limited-word picture book that uses repetition and prepositions to tell its story.  Seven bear siblings hear a mysterious noise from their bed and decide to go investigate.

I remember this book from when I was a girl, so I do have a bit of nostalgia for it.  I enjoy its simplicity and feel like the reader’s approach can either make it into a lesson about placement and positions, a quick bedtime story, or even a spooky Halloween story.

Bears in the Night (1971)

The Teeny Tiny Woman

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The Teeny Tiny Woman (1986)
retold by Paul Galdone

This is a folktale ghost story about a teeny tiny woman who finds a teeny tiny bone and takes it back to her teeny tiny house.

Delivery is a huge part of this tale, and while it could be a bit spooky (and a bit odd), the repetition and rhythm of the “teeny tiny” words also make it quite humorous.  I love the final, brave and funny, punchline.

I have such fond memories of my dad reading this tale to us as kids, so I picked it up for our daughter when she was born.  When she was very little, she wouldn’t sit through it.  Now though, she thinks it’s great.  A good book for anytime of year, but could definitely be brought out for Halloween or a spooky, preschool-friendly, “ghost” story.

The Teeny Tiny Woman (1986)

 

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Mrs. McMurphy’s Pumpkin

Mrs. McMurphy’s Pumpkin

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Mrs. McMurphy’s Pumpkin (2004)
words by Rick Walton, illustrated by Delana Bettoli

As Halloween approaches, Mrs. McMurphy gets daily visits from a mysterious and spooky pumpkin showing up in her house.  As the facial features of the pumpkin gradually appear, it promises to eat her once its teeth arrive.  Mrs. McMurphy responds to each encounter gently, but firmly by putting the pumpkin in its place, so to speak.

I wasn’t sure how our 3-year old would react to this story, as it has the potential to be a bit scary.  But I think that Mrs. McMurphy’s strong character and care-free reactions to the pumpkin keep this story approachable for little ones.  I love that it IS a slightly spooky, “campfire” tale that (kid-depending) could be appropriate for a younger crowd.

Mrs. McMurphy’s Pumpkin (2004)

 

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Halloween Book list

The Monster at the End of This Book

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The Monster at the End of This Book (1971)
by Jon Stone, illustrated by Michael Smollin

Lovable, furry old Grover (of Sesame Street fame) is scared.  There is a monster at the end of the book, and he is doing everything in his power to stop you, the reader, from turning the pages.  He ties pages together, builds walls, all the while begging the reader to Please. Stop. Turning. The. Pages.

This is an interactive book created before they were all the rage.  It’s short, simple, funny, and fun.

While obviously not a “Halloween” book, it could easily fit a Halloween theme if need be.  This is definitely one of my favorites.

The Monster at the End of This Book (1971)