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Halloween Books for Kids

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At the Old Haunted House by Helen Ketteman

There are all kinds of creatures in the house: a big Ma monster and her wee monsters two, a scrawny black cat and her wee kittens three, a green Pa goblin and his wee goblins four, and more! Count along as the creatures prepare for the Halloween Fright. The text, written in the pattern of the popular poem “Over in the Meadow,” makes reading aloud fun.

The Halloween Tree by Susan Montanari

Everyone knows most young saplings dream of becoming Christmas trees. But one grumpy, old tree who doesn’t like lights, decorations, or people is determined to be different. The Halloween Tree is sure to warm the hearts of kids and adults-alike as a gnarly tree finds his place in the world.

Hocus Pocus: The Illustrated Novelization by A. W. Jantha

Fans and readers of all ages can enjoy the full story of the immensely popular Hocus Pocus with this deluxe illlustrated novelization that will show fans the likes of Max Dennison, the Sanderson Sisters, Binx the cat, and other iconic characters as only celebrated, renowned artist Gris Grimly can: in all of their darkly humorous, unique gruesome glory. With dozens of original illustrations throughout, this novelization is sure to become an automatic must-have among collectors and avid fans of the film.

How to Catch a Monster: A Halloween Picture Book for Kids About Conquering Fears! by Adam Wallace

A brave young ninja heads into the closet to meet the monster that’s been so scary night after night. But what if our monster isn’t scary at all? Maybe our hero is about to make a friend of the strangest sort. This inventive picture book about conquering fears and overcoming anxiety reminds us that things aren’t always as scary as they seem.

Little Witch by Anna Elizabeth Bennett

This 60th anniversary edition of this classic is sure to delight fans of mythology and magic. It follows the adventures of nine-year-old Minx, a little which, who wants to sneak away and go to school. One day, she manages it. The story follows her trials and adventures with her mortal schoolmates and teachers.

Pete the Cat: Trick or Pete by James Dean

With flaps that reveal fun Halloween surprises, this Pete the Cat holiday story is sure to be a sweet treat for your little trick-or-treaters. Follow Pete as he goes trick-or-treating from house to house and discover what is waiting behind each door. Life the flaps to reveal fun spooky surprises

Pig the Monster by Aaron Blabey

Pig, the world’s greediest pug, is on the rampage for treats. But don’t even think about being stingy with the goodies, because this candy-fueled glutton has some terrible tricks up his sleeve.

Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson

The witch and her cat are happily flying through the sky on a broomstick when the wind picks up and blows away the witch’s hat, then her bow, and then her wand. Luckily, three helpful animals find the missing items, and all they want in return is a ride on the broom.  But is there room on the broom for so many friends?  And when disaster strikes, will they be able to save the witch from a hungry dragon?

The Spooky Wheels on the Bus by J. Elizabeth Mills

This is a humorous Halloween-themed version of the classic song The Wheels On The Bus…with a few ghoulish tricks and treats up its sleeves. Count from One Spooky Bus up to Ten Goofy Ghosts as this Halloween ride races through town picking up a few unsuspecting passengers along the way.

Family-Friendly Halloween Movies

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Looking for a Halloween movie to watch with the kids and family? Then you’ve come to the right place for our guide to some of the best children’s movies for Halloween!

The Addams Family (1991, PG-13) The film focuses on the family’s search for Gomez’s missing brother, Fester. Fester’s return leads to a joyful reunion between the brothers. However, all is not as it seems: Fester’s scheming “mother” is working with a money hungry lawyer on a plot to steal the family’s fortune. This causes problems for the family and hilarity ensues.

Casper (1995, PG) Casper is a kind young ghost who peacefully haunts a mansion in Maine. When specialist James Harvey arrives to communicate with Casper and his fellow spirits, he brings along his teenage daughter, Kat. Casper quickly falls in love with Kat, but their budding relationship is complicated not only by his transparent state, but also by his troublemaking apparition uncles and their mischievous antics.

Coraline (2009, PG) Coraline Jones is bored in her new home until she finds a secret door that leads her into a world that’s just like her own…but better! But when this fantastical adventure turns dangerous and her “other” Mother tries to keep her forever, Coraline must count on her resourcefulness and bravery to get home.

The Frankenweenie (2012, PG) When a car hits young Victor’s pet dog Sparky, Victor decides to bring him back to life the only way he knows how. But when the bolt-necked “monster” wreaks havoc and terror in the hearts of Victor’s neighbors, he has to convince them that Sparky’s still the good, loyal friend he was.

Goosebumps (2015, PG) After moving to a small town, Zach Cooper finds a silver lining when he meets next door neighbor Hannah, the daughter of bestselling Goosebumps series author R.L. Stine. When Zach unintentionally unleashes real monsters from their manuscripts and they begin to terrorize the town, it’s suddenly up to Stine, Zach and Hannah to get all of them back in the books where they belong.

Hocus Pocus (1993, PG) Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy play resurrected witch sisters from the 17th century in this silly comedy from Disney. The witches, accidentally revived by three children on Halloween, must consummate a spell before sunrise or perish forever. This film might be for kids but it has enough fun and pace to maintain parents’ attention.

Hotel Translvania (2012, PG) Welcome to the Hotel Transylvania, Count Dracula lavish five-stake resort, where monsters and their families can live it up, free to be the monsters they are without humans to bother them. On one special weekend, Dracula invites some of the world’s most famous monsters – Frankenstein and his bride, the Mummy, the Invisible Man, a family of werewolves, and more – to celebrate his daughter Mavis’ 118th birthday. For Drac, catering to all of these legendary monsters is no problem – but his world could come crashing down when one ordinary guy stumbles into the hotel and takes a shine to Mavis.

Monster House (2006, PG) No adults believe three youths’ assertion that a neighboring residence is a living creature that means them harm. With Halloween approaching, the trio must find a way to destroy the structure before innocent trick-or-treaters meet ghastly ends.

Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983, PG) In a small American town, a diabolical circus arrives, granting wishes for the townsfolk, but twisted as only the esteemed Mr. Dark can make them. Can two young boys overcome the worst the devil himself can deal out?

Choose and Carve A Boo-tiful Jack O’Lantern

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It’s pumpkin time! How can you make sure you pick the perfect pumpkin and transform it into a boo-tiful jack-o-lantern? Check out these handy tips with everything you need to know to create your family’s best-ever pumpkin.

Picky, picky

  • The best selection at pumpkin patches and in grocery stores will probably be available early this month.

  • No matter where you go, look for smooth pumpkins with no soft spots that indicate rot. It is also ideal to find one with a green stem, which means that the pumpkin has been freshly picked.

  • Try not to let your kids pick up the pumpkin by the stem. If the stem breaks off, it could take some of the outer pumpkin with it, making the inside rot faster.

  • Once you get your prized pumpkin home, store it uncarved in a cool, dry spot. Aim to crave your jack ’o lantern just a few days before Halloween. This will ensure that it does not decay too fast (boo, black spots!) and looks frightfully good on the big night.


Carving station

The mess from making a Jack-o-lantern is easier to handle on your patio or in your backyard than inside.

Never fear, though. Carving can be done indoors or out, especially with a well-prepared station. To make cleanup easier, line your tabletop with newspaper or cut open a plastic trash bag to spread over your surface. You will want to clean up quickly afterwards, too, since pumpkin flesh and seeds are super slippery.

Make it Boo-tiful

Have you ever seen a jack-o-lantern with black lines on its face? I know when my family uses permanent markers to sketch our design, we are usually left with a couple mistakes that we must live with or cut out. Here’s a tip I wish I knew years ago: try sketching your lines with a dry erase marker instead as their marks are erasable on pumpkins. Or use a template that you can attach directly to the pumpkin as a guide.

When it’s time to cut into your pumpkin, leave that to the adults as little ones should not handle anything sharp. Instead, give the kids big spoons or an ice cream scoop and let them scrape out the seeds. Save the seeds if you want to toast them later (more on that below).

Grown-ups, your goal should be to cut with short, controlled motions. Don’t forget to go slow. The best way to avoid a serious

hand injury is by taking your time.

Extra, Extra

Another useful tip is to give kids their own small pumpkin to decorate with glitter and glue or foam stickers while you carve the family’s bigger pumpkin. That way they will stay engaged and not lose interest.

If carving is more trick than treat for your family, then you can always paint your pumpkin instead. Note that you may need several coats to get the desired color and it can take a while for the paint to dry between coats.

Getting seedy

If you want to roast the seeds later, you’ll want to soak them in a big bowl of warm water. After swirling the seeds and attached goo around with your hands to separate them a bit, let them sit for at least 5 minutes. The goo sinks to the bottom while the seeds float to the top. Once dry, your seeds are ready for whatever sweet or savory recipe you find on the internet. Enjoy!

Katy M. Clark is a writer and mom of two who celebrates her imperfections on her blog Experienced Bad Mom.

Sustainable Halloween: YES! It’s Possible

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Halloween is coming – time to pick out costumes, pumpkins, and candy. Buying Halloween candy should be a fun and easy task, but some chocolates and other candies come with a side of environmental or social sustainability problems. How can you treat your neighborhood kids, and also treat the Earth right? See below for tips and recommended favorite candies that are gentle on the planet and people.

What are the concerns? Tropical rainforests have been clear cut to make way for cocoa plantations, making cocoa farming the leading cause of deforestation in West Africa, where most cocoa is grown. Cutting down trees to grow cocoa gives chocolate bars a hefty carbon footprint and threatens tropical wildlife. In addition to the environmental concerns, cocoa farming is often plagued with labor rights violations, especially child labor.

Even if you steer clear of chocolate, your candy may still be linked to deforestation. Many processed foods are made using palm oil. Like cocoa, oil palms are often farmed on clear-cut former rainforest land. Most palm oil is farmed in Indonesia and Malaysia, which are home to the world’s last remaining orangutan populations. The biggest threat to endangered orangutans in Indonesia and Malaysia is deforestation, largely for oil palm farming.

What can you do? The good news is consumers can make a difference. Already, major corporations are listening to consumer concerns. Many companies that buy palm oil have joined the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), a non-profit organization that has set voluntary standards for Certified Sustainable Palm Oil, with the goal of transforming markets to make sustainable palm oil the norm. For chocolate lovers, there are more brands than ever before that address both labor and environmental concerns

TIPS FOR FINDING ETHICAL HALLOWEEN CANDY

1. Follow the frog. The Rainforest Alliance has a certification program for products that meet environmental and social sustainability standards. Rainforest Alliance Certified products are farmed in a way that preserves standing forests and prevents deforestation. The Rainforest Alliance seal, a green image of a tropical tree frog, marks all the packages of certified products. If you see the frog, you know the candy is forest-friendly.  

2. Look for the FairTrade label. A certification label that focuses on social sustainability, the FairTrade label is your best bet for ensuring a product was made under healthy, safe, and legal working conditions. Because the cocoa farming industry is rife with child labor, FairTrade certified chocolate is especially important.  

3. Seek these sustainable brands. If looking at labels seems overwhelming, another option is to choose one of the brands highlighted below.

Chocolate: Each of these chocolate brands have strong environmental and social sustainability policies, so you can know your choice helps protect both forests and farmers: Alter Eco, Beyond Good, Divine, Endangered Species, Equal Exchange, Lily’s, Theo, Tony’s Chocolonely and Unreal. Many of these brands are easily found at any well-stocked grocery store, and all are available at Whole Foods Market. Equal Exchange, Tony’s, and Divine all sell cases of mini bars perfect for trick-or-treaters. Unreal and Alter Eco also have fun candy options such as peanut butter or almond butter cups and chocolate truffles.

Other candy: Not a chocolate fan? There are several candy brands that use only RSPO certified palm oil, or no palm oil at all. Some popular orangutan-friendly candies include Skittles, Sour Patch Kids, Starburst, and Twizzlers.

4. Start small. If your favorite candy isn’t on the list, you’re already stocked up for Halloween, or you couldn’t find enough sustainable options at the store, don’t worry: it’s ok to start small. Every purchase from a brand that has gone the extra mile to ensure environmental and social sustainability standards sends a positive message to these companies. Over time, it is getting much easier to find sustainable candy, as more companies sign up for initiatives like the RSPO or seek eco-certification. If you aren’t ready to commit fully to only eco-certified candy this Halloween, maybe buy a few options and make at least one of them a Rainforest Alliance product. Then make a plan to choose more sustainable treats next year – hopefully, by then there will be even more to choose from. 

Robin Pelc is a Lecturer at California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB), coordinator for CSUMB’s science service learning and Americorps VIP programs, and the founder of SeaChange Scientific Consulting. Robin has a Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and an M.S. and B.S. in Earth Systems from Stanford University. Currently, she keeps busy outside of work taking care of her 7-year-old and 10-year-old kids, her tuxedo cat, and her chickens.

What to Do With Leftover Halloween Candy

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Halloween is sweeter the second time around! Whether your kids got too much candy from trick or treating or you simply don’t want them to have too much sugar, here are some ideas on what to do with all of that leftover Halloween candy.

  • Freeze it. Throughout the year, add it to milkshakes, sundaes, ice cream and plain cookie dough.

  • Decorate a gingerbread house. Set the candy aside for decorating your Christmas gingerbread house.

  • Make trail mix. Open up all of those bags of little candies and make your own trail mix by adding pretzels, nuts, and dried fruit.

  • Jazz up a boxed cake mix. Chop up the candy bars into small pieces and toss them into a boxed cake mix to make delicious cupcakes with an extra surprise inside.

  • Make candy bark. Chop up all of those miscellaneous pieces and add to melted chocolate. Once it’s hardened you can break it into chunks for a colorful candy bark.

  • Birthday coming up? Save the wrapped candy and use it to stuff a birthday pinata.

  • Have the kids make kindness jars. Fill mason jars with candy, wrap with pretty ribbon, and drop them at your local fire house, police station, or senior center.   

  • Finally, don’t forget about donating wrapped, unopened candy. A soup kitchen, homeless shelter, or nursing home will probably be happy to take it off your hands.

Grandma Tested Tips for a Safer Halloween

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Happy Fall, everyone! We’re heading into cooler weather, the colors of autumn, another holiday season, and our second Halloween of the COVID-19 pandemic. With vaccinations available and most businesses open, it’s easy to feel like the worst is past us. However, according to data available from Johns Hopkins University, on Labor Day this year, Coronavirus infections were more than four times what we saw on the same weekend in 2020. Hospitalizations are also up from this time last year: conservative estimates say 1.5 times higher. With Halloween being so popular for children, the fact that they cannot get vaccinated is ever more concerning. (Although, by the time this is printed, that may change. I read this morning that preliminary approval has been given for vaccinating children five and older.)

So, how can we keep our children and grandchildren safe this Fall? The safest activities will be outside. Pumpkin patches are always popular and will present less risk than indoor venues (see pages 20-21). If possible, try to go during an off time, such as a weekday evening when it’s less crowded. The larger the crowd, the higher the risk. Be prepared with masks and plenty of hand sanitizer. If you can keep your distance from people while there, that’s even better.

For Halloween itself, you can likely stay reasonably safe if you can find an outdoor “Trunk or Treat” event. Again, try to stay safe from groups, wear your mask (which should be easy for Halloween!), and keep your hands clean.

The riskiest Halloween celebrations will be indoors, with poor ventilation. Use your best judgment: if it looks like people are packed together, don’t go. If you feel you can keep your family a little separated from strangers, you’re probably okay.

As for costumes, why not incorporate a COVID-safe mask? You’ll get more cooperation from your kids if you make the mask part of the fun. Superheroes often wear masks, and a cowboy wears a bandana around his face when he’s rustling those steers. A skeleton costume would include a mask. Doctors and nurses wear masks at work. You can also create masks using fabric and fabric paint that incorporate a mouth and whiskers for different types of cats or dogs, a clown smile, or many other fun things. Use makeup to create the matching face, and you have a fun, safer way for your kids to go trick-or-treating.

The bottom line is, while we have more opportunities to celebrate this year, we still have to be safe and make good choices for our kids and grandkids. Your child may not like the fact that Halloween is still limited. But, as I have said many times (in this column, even), parents set the tone for their child’s attitude. They learn coping skills from the adults they are with every day.

Be safe, creative, and positive…your kids will follow suit. Stay safe, and have a wonderful October.

tricia vlasAK is a mother, grandparent, and wife. She works in law enforcement when she isn’t writing about parenting, hiking with her dogs, or going on adventures.

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