Warning: Chilling Halloween Tales

My favorite time of year has arrived.  I love fall!  I love the cinnamon spice scents that fill homes and businesses.  I savor the flavor of all things pumpkin.  I look forward to trick-or-treating with my three favorite guys.  As a teacher, I am eager to read my favorite Halloween read-alouds.

1. Piggie Pie! by Margie Palatini.  This is a Rogers’ family tradition.  We are currently on our third copy and it is taped together at the moment.  This book is clever and witty.  My older boys still get excited about hearing the story again and it has never failed as a read-aloud!  Don’t forget to wear your witch’s finger as you read the story.  Many times, I will review with younger kids the song Old MacDonald and the story of the three little pigs.  We make inferences and connections throughout this enjoyable read-aloud.

2. I Need My Monster by Amanda Noll.  Sherry and I found this engaging picture book at Barnes & Noble about three years ago.  I knew right away it was going to be a new favorite.  In this story, Ethan’s monster (Gabe) goes fishing and won’t be available for any night scaring for a whole week.  In his place, many substitute monsters arrive.  Ethan lets each one know that they just will not do for one reason or another.  Finally, Gabe returns and all is well in the world again.  This picture book has appealing pictures that are sure to bring a smile to your face and even a giggle or two.  Each monster is described with strong vocabulary and detail.  This picture book not only makes an enjoyable read-aloud, but is a great mentor text for descriptive writing, creating your own monster, and characterization.

3. Shivery Shades of Halloween: A Spooky Book of Colors by Mary McKenna Siddals.  This is a new one.  At our latest meeting at Barnes and Noble, Sherry and I found this gem on the bottom of a Halloween display.  While it didn’t look overwhelmingly promising from the outside, we immediately fell in love while reading this new rhyming story.  This will be it’s own post, because the possibilities with this text are ENDLESS!  Each page describes the colors of Halloween in rhyming prose.  The impressive vocabulary is supported by the illustrations.  Keep tuned for many more lesson ideas next week!!

4. The Monsterator by Keith Graves.  Um … yes, his last name is Graves, I double checked.  When I first picked this up, I loved the story, but when I got to the end, I loved the pure fun and interactivity the book provides.  Allow me to explain…The story is entertaining for children and parents who spend countless conversations trying to decide what to be for Halloween.  So far this year, my kids and I have already spend a total of 5 hours talking about potential Halloween costumes and searching through Halloween stores.  We’re not done yet, as only one child is taken care of in way of costume.  In the story, Master Edgar Dreadbury is unsure what to be for Halloween, but he finds a Monsterator, “just insert one dime.”  He is quickly transformed into  a monstrous creature.  I will not give away the ending!  However, after the story, there are multiple monsters split up into thirds, so students can monsterate their own monster!  Yes, hours of enjoyment.  This would pair nicely with I Need My Monster.

5. Go Away, Big Green Monster by Ed Emberley.  This is best for primary students.  The story describes the characteristics as the monster appears and then disappears.  The clever cutouts create the monster and make the monster disappear.  This would be a great way to talk description with younger students.

6. Ghost in the House by Ammi Joan Paquette.  Again, this is a great primary read.  This rhyming number book is an engaging read aloud for young kids.  Before reading, have students make a list of all types of Halloween creatures they might expect to find in a Haunted House.  As you read, add to the list.  This could become a word bank for writing this month.

As you read your favorite Halloween tales or borrow one of ours, please share your teaching ideas … bonus points if there are pictures of you in a costume!!