Boo - Guess Who? Just Me!

Kids love dressing up for Halloween. 

I think it's reassuring for them to know that on Halloween they can assume any persona, but under the costumes and masks it's still just them.

Our own children certainly enjoyed the costume aspect of Halloween, and these days we enjoy hearing our grandsons tell us what they want "to be for Halloween".   

This year my older grandson decided on a Great White Shark.  And his little brother, who loves anything having to do with Thomas the Tank Engine and loves to be just like his brother, at first said he'd be a "Gordon Shark".  

Eventually that changed to "just Gordon", and today his talented Mama crafted an amazing Gordon costume for him.  Sadly he ended up getting a fever, but even though he couldn't wear his costume or join in the trick-or-treating, believe me: he will wear that Gordon costume a lot.  Probably everyday for awhile!

Today I have two books that are obviously fun Halloween stories -  but I think most kids would asked for them to be read over and over, no matter what day it happens to be!

Space Case (originally published in 1980) never gets old!  After landing on the corner of Maple and Elm on Halloween night, a Thing from Outer Space - sent to observe Earthlings - joins a group of kids as they go trick-or-treating. The fun continues when the Thing ends up going to school with a boy and acts as his space project for class. A silly Halloween story that kids ages K-3 will enjoy.  Our kids wanted to hear it again and again. 

Pre-schoolers will be happy that The Little Blue Truck and his friends are making a costumed appearance in Little Blue Truck's Halloween...Beep! Beep! It’s Halloween! Little Blue Truck is picking up his animal friends for a costume party. Just lift the flaps in this large, sturdy board book to find out who’s dressed up in each costume! Will Blue wear a costume too?  Of course he will - but don't worry, it's still just good ol' Blue!

Do you and your children have a favorite Halloween read?

book or treat 2: into the woods

2002 Broadway Revival Poster [source]  

Last October, I got such a great response for my "Book or Treat: Literary Pumpkins" post, I thought I'd delve into the world of literature again this year for some fun fall celebration ideas.  So step "Into the Woods" with me for some not-so-scary Halloween/Fall Woodland Party inspiration, costumes, and pumpkins.

Woodland Red Riding Hood Party
Inspiration: James Marshall's Red Riding Hood book.

So many choices - dress up as Red Riding Hood,
the wolf, or the Grandmother. [source:birds party blog]

Red Riding Hood and the Wolf
costumes [source: martha stewart]

Woodland Gnome Sweet Gnome Party
Inspiration: Wil Huygen's Gnomes book

Woodland Party table [source: nikkiikkin]

This fall birthday party is totally adaptable as a Halloween party
[source: tradewind tiaras blog]

Better Homes and Gardens Halloween issue 2012

Woodland Forest Children and Owls Party
Inspiration: Elsa Beskow's Children of the Forest book
(More Owl books here. Click here for more books by Elsa Beskow.)

Woodland Party table [source: simplified bee]

Toadstool cupcakes [source: parents.com]

"Mrs. Owl taught them the language of all that squeaks, swims, flies, or
runs.  She taught them to listen to the message of the wind, and to see
the approach of spring even before the first snowdrop".

Give a Hoot craft, made with cardboard t.p. tubes and
cupcake liners. [source: parents.com]

Owl Pumpkins [source: hostess with the mostess]

Woodland Friends Flower Party
Inspiration: Elsa Beskow's The Flowers' Festival book
(More Fairy books here. Click here for more books by Elsa Beskow.)

Better Homes and Garden's Special Interest fall issue 2012
fairy costume here

Leaf Fairy costume [source: martha stewart]

Rose Fairy costume [source: martha stewart]

lily of the valley costumes [source: martha stewart]

Acorn cookies: Hershey's kisses, mini Nilla Wafers,
and itty bitty peanut butter morsels [source: design dazzle]

Fairy Pinecone craft [source: red ted art's blog]

Pumpkin Fairy House [source:good housekeeping]

Looking for literary themed Halloween party ideas for preteens and teens?  Stay tuned...

FROM "I'M NOT"...

TO "I AM"!

When my sister-in-law told me about the book I'M NOT, I thought, "Uh-oh, I hope this isn't an Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day kind of book" (I know a lot of people like Judith Viorst's story, but it was a bit too negative to resonate with me and my children - Alexander's a grouch at the beginning and pretty much still a grouch at the end - we read it once and that was enough).  But on the contrary, I was pleasantly surprised with Pam Smallcomb's positive outcome to a negative sounding title, and it's a story I think young children will ask for again and again!

What I love about this book is the way the shy Narrator (a nameless little brown alligator who constantly compares herself to her talented friend, Evelyn, a little green alligator) begins to finally realize it's okay that she's different from her friend.  Even though there are a lot of things Evelyn is good at that she is not, there are things Evelyn isn't good at that she is!

This book doesn't celebrate being the "best" at everything, it's simply about being the best friend you can be. In the end, Evelyn says she needs a friend  - "A friend who is always by her side, through thick and thin, a true-blue friend."  She wonders, "Is there anyone in the whole wide world like that?" and our little narrator proclaims, "I AM! I AM! I AM!"

Pam Smallcomb's story made me think of two other sets of storybook characters that are good friends,  FROG AND TOAD

(who are also brown and green!)  and James Marshall's hippos, George and Martha,
 who bear a striking resemblance to Robert Weinstock's little alligators.