Halloweensies and Some Bonus Book Suggestions

Today’s post is a little out of the norm.

For starters, the meat of the message isn’t about a picture book (or any book for that matter!). Instead, I’m sharing two very short stories for Susanna Hill’s 8th Annual Halloweensie Contest and a tip about how you can do something similar at home or in the classroom.

Susanna’s contest involves writing a 100-word story about Halloween that includes the words shiver, howl, and cauldron.

Use It In the Classroom (or at Home):

I’ve written two that I’ll share with you below. But before I do, think about how you could inspire creativity with a similar prompt! Whether you make it a contest or “just for fun,” challenge your children or students to write a 100-word Halloween or Fall story using three words of your choosing. Set a timer, and let them go crazy! Be sure to let them share in some way.

Here are my entries:

Halloweensie #1: Next Week

Three friends marched along in the light of the moon:

One doctor, one witch, and one purple baboon.

They shivered and quivered in fear or in chill.

Each carried a colorful cauldron to fill.

With candy—sweet candy! They’d waited all year.

The night they’d awaited was finally here!

“Hello?”

“TRICK OR TREAT!”

“Dears, I’m sorry to say…

I haven’t got candy to give out today…”

“NO CANDY!” they howled.

“Now, my dears, let me speak…

You’ve come a bit early; I’ll have some next week.” 

 

Halloweensie #2: I Am Known

It’s my first Halloween. Where I’m from, the neighbors don’t give out candy when you knock on their doors.

Knock! Knock!

A witch holds out a cauldron of candy.

“Cool Samurai costume!”

“I’m not a Samurai.”

Knock! Knock!

A dog howls, and a skeleton opens the door.

“You make a good knight!”

“I’m not a knight.”

I shiver as I shuffle away.

Just like me, my costume doesn’t fit in.

Ding-dong!

“Ah, Admiral Yi — What an honor.” Mrs. Kim bows and gives me an extra piece of candy. I bow and thank her, but I walk away standing tall.

(In case you don’t know who Admiral Yi is, here’s a link with a short biography on his life.)

 

There you have it! Two Halloweensies.

And now, as a bonus, here are two books we’re enjoying this year.

Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson – This is an excellent Halloween Read-aloud! Donaldson’s poetry reads like a song, and if your kids are anything like my son, they’ll want you to read this one on repeat until you’ve memorized it!

Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich by Adam Rex – This collection of goofy Halloween poems is especially great for your fourth and fifth grade boys. Read the poems aloud or toss a copy of the book in your students’ direction. Then encourage them to write their own not-so-scary poems! (*Note: There are a few potty jokes in some of the poems. In the past, I have selected two to three of these to read aloud with younger students. Bottom line – Preview the poems in advance.)

Your Turn! Do you have any favorite Fall or Halloween books? Did you have your kids or your students write anything special this year?

P.S. Celebrate Life!