Happy Halloween From Two Superheroes and a Villain! And Halloween Books for Kids
Perhaps kid friendly Halloween books and this close up photo of my husband’s Joker make up don’t go together. But there you have it!
This Halloween has been one of the busiest I’ve ever experienced. I’m barely keeping my head above water. The kids and I have gone to no less than six Halloween themed storytimes in addition to hosting two parties at my house (one for two to four year old boys, the other for about twenty eight to eleven year old’s), the pumpkin patch, Scarecrow festival, West Jordan trunk or treat, Monter Block Party (where husband won second place in the costume contest – three years straight we’ve yet to lose!), our neighborhood trunk or treat, and an adults only Halloween party. I think the kids have dressed up everyday for the last two weeks. I planned on going out today to another event but woke up this morning just plain tired! My three year old is looking forward to trick or treating for the first time this year. He finally “got” it.
While hopping from one event to the next has kept me busy, my husband planned everybody’s costumes. He started shopping to put together two different versions of his Joker costume since April and also did a fantastic job with the littlest ones costumes, even arranging to have a onsie embroidered. That’s dedication!
Click on photos to make them bigger. My husband is scaring everybody and even walks and talks like Joker. And I have the two cutest superheroes around!
I thought I would share with you a sampling of the books that the libraries chose for their storytimes this past week. Sadly, I can’t think of the titles of about four of them because I thought there was no way I would forget what they were. And of course, I’m sitting here and can’t come up with them:
Halloween Bugs: A Trick or Treat Pop Up by David A. Carter
From the publisher: Trick-or-treat with David Carter and his Bugs! This is the book David Carter’s Bugs fans have been waiting for–a spine-tingling Halloween celebration. Knock on six different doors–if you dare–to meet the One-eyed Spotted People Eater Bug, The Luscious Lollipop Bug, The Very Hairy Scary Bug, and many more. The graveyard pop-up on the final spread is guaranteed to deliver shivers, gasps, and giggles! Perfect for Halloween parties and trick-or-treaters of all ages.
My thoughts: Super cute pop up book. My three year old went up to the librarian and took over the job of opening the panels during story time
Go Away Big Green Monster from Edward R. Emberley
From the publisher: Caldecott medalist Ed Emberley has designed an ingenious book to help children overcome their fear of monsters. With each turn of the page, a new part is revealed, until all of a big, green monster has taken shape. Then, with the words, “You don’t scare me!, ” page by page, the monster slowly disappears. Full color.
My thoughts: Wow, three year old LOVED this book. Later during nap time I could hear him up in bed chanting, “Go away, go away! You don’t scare me! Too cute.
Boo Who? A Spooky Lift the Flap Book by Joan Holub
From Amazon: Invites young children to guess the answers to each rhyming riddle about a jack-o’-lantern, bat, ghost, and other Halloween tricksters that hide behind sturdy interactive flaps.
Snappy Little Halloween from Derek Mathews
From Amazon: Perfect for kids who are just getting excited about Halloween, this title features a colorful collection of creepy pop-up characters, including a skeleton, mummy, ghosts, vampires, cats, and bats. The silly surprises and tremendous treats will appeal to young hobgoblins and show the fun side of this sometimes scary holiday. As with all the books in the series, this one combines bright kid-friendly graphics with an engaging rhyming text.
Eek-a-Boo! A Spooky Lift the Flap Book by Joan Holub
From the publisher: Readers can explore spooky creatures in this lift-a-flap Halloween adventure. The oversized flaps are just right for little hands
Five Little Pumpkins by Dan Yaccarino
From Amazon: Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate.The first one said, “Oh my, it’s getting late.”Get ready for some wicked fun as these five pumpkins run and roll! Toddlers will want to chant along with this popular rhyme again and again. Dan Yaccarino’s vibrant and bold illustrations bring these pumpkins to life with personality and style. Toddlers are sure to laugh out loud as these pumpkins roll out of sight!
We checked out a few halloween themed books from the library this past month. They are:
Halloween Mice by Bethany Roberts
From Booklist: A group of costumed mice are frolicking in the pumpkin patch when they heart the swish, swish of a creeping cat. Off they run, but they don’t just turn tail. Using a light and a mask, they throw a shadow that frightens away the cat for good. Simple sentences and lots of onomatopoeia make the text as appealing as the energetic watercolor-and-pen artwork
Happy Halloween Curious George by H.A Rey
From Amazon: Halloween is here, and Curious George is getting ready for the big night. There are so many costumes to try on, treats to share, and games to play! George has so much Halloween fun picking out the perfect pumpkin, decorating his house, and celebrating with his friends that he’s not sure he’s ready for the day to end. Follow the little monkey through his fun-filled day with this book of poems. Happy Halloween, Curious George is a sweet treat to help Curious George fans of all ages get in the Halloween spirit.
My thoughts: Kids love, love, love this book. It’s been in the car for two weeks and they look at it every time I put them in. Three year old loves Curious George and keeps pointing out the pumpkins to me.
There’s No Such Thing as Ghosts by Emmanuelle Eeckhout
Read my full review here.
My First Halloween by Tomie dePaola
From Amazon: In My First Halloween, Tomie dePaola’s warm illustrations capture the sweet moments of Halloween that become wonderful memories for the family. A 3-D effect on the cover, along with eye-catching foil, make this an irresistible addition to every child’s bag of treats.
My thoughts: My library account says I have this checked out. I haven’t seen it since. Does that happen to you?
I hope everybody has a fun Halloween! I leave you with a Halloween greeting from my husband:
If you haven’t seen The Dark Knight movie, you probably wouldn’t get it.
Hey you! Yes. You! I've noticed that you've stopped by to visit a few times! But I don't know who you are. Why don't you take a moment and introduce yourself. Don't be scared. I try not to bite. I know you're a lurker but I'd love to hear your thoughts about what's been bringing you here. And if you haven't done so already, don't forget to never miss a post by subscribing to my feed or receiving updates by email. Thanks for visiting!
Category: Book Lists, Children's Titles
Tags: halloween, photos of my family
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WOW!!! The Joker is fabulous! (and, of course, the two superheroes)
Thank you for sharing – I LOVED THIS.
on October 31st, 2008 at 5:47 pmOh my gosh! I’m surprised he didn’t scare the kids.
on October 31st, 2008 at 5:51 pmOH my gosh!!! I had to call hubby over to see the picture–and then I had to do a search for the post you did with the interview and the pictures of your husband as Willie Wonka. It took a while to find it but hubby was very impressed. To be honest, I’m not sure if I could handle having the joker around for more than a few seconds!! Your boys must be great not to be absolutely terrified. Anyway, happy halloween. I’m trying to catch up on some blogging in between trick or treaters.
on October 31st, 2008 at 6:43 pmOkay, I’m going to have nightmares tonight.
He looks great as The Joker. Your kids look darn cute, too.
Here is a book that my girls love – Littlebat’s Halloween Story. Emma received it as a gift for her first Halloween. Littlebat is such a cute little character. I’d like to add that with the great books you’ve listed.
on October 31st, 2008 at 6:47 pmJoy – You’re welcome!
Kathy – It’s odd but the kids aren’t scared. Maybe because they saw him put it together?
Trish – I totally forgot that I was going to link to those photos! Here it is for anybody else who would like to see them: http://blog.mawbooks.com/2008/08/07/admit-one-a-journey-into-film-by-emmett-james/ The kids are out trick or treating and I’m handing out candy. Taylor is scaring everybody on the street. So far he’s won $75 in gift certificates. I say if he can “buy” back the costume by winning contests, go right ahead!
Jennifer – He kept in character all day at work today and the guy next to him said he couldn’t take it anymore. He was to freaked out! Thanks for the book suggestion as well!
on October 31st, 2008 at 7:13 pmI thought I was looking at Heath Ledger at first! Amazing costumes! Looks like you guys had a fun (and busy) Halloween.
on October 31st, 2008 at 9:22 pmI just read a post about a movie from my childhood over at My Friend Amy’s blog and I thought that was scary. Thanks a lot! Now I think I’m definitely going to have nightmares, thanks to the both of you.
on October 31st, 2008 at 9:32 pmThose costumes are both fantastic and adorable! I love how they all go together!! Did the Joker take the superheroes out for trick-or-treating?
on October 31st, 2008 at 9:52 pmGreat costumes! We managed to keep things pretty low key this year, with just a trip to the pumpkin patch, a party this afternoon, and trick-or-treating.
on October 31st, 2008 at 10:31 pmAmazing Joker costume. I am scared. Seriously though, did he grow his hair long for the costume or is it a wig? That is wicked awesome. Your kids are cute too.
on October 31st, 2008 at 11:10 pmOh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Great costumes!
I didn’t celebrate Halloween this year.
( I’m jealous. I want candyyyyyy….
on November 1st, 2008 at 4:00 amAwesome costume!! I haven’t seen the movie, so I didn’t watch the clip, hopefully after I see the movie I’ll remember to come back.
We had a fun night, my 3 year old “got it” too.
on November 1st, 2008 at 12:19 pmThat is so freaky. He is just like him! Did he go around saying “Why so serious?” a gazillion times? Great job!
on November 1st, 2008 at 3:27 pmoh my gosh i love it, Taylor does such a good job at playing him and The Boys are so darn cute. as soon as i herd what all 3 of them desided to dress up as i couldn’t wait to see them when i got home from working and partying last night and my mom said you had them up i was so happy. and they turnd out really good!
on November 1st, 2008 at 4:36 pmYour boys are adorable! The joker is awesome. Very impressed. He would have terrified my little girl. She cried every time someone came to the door in a costume.
on November 1st, 2008 at 6:09 pmOkay Natasha…where are the pics of you in your costume!?
I was Halloweened out this year and it looks like you were too. I got my girls dressed up so many times it was ridiculous. We had so many parties, get-togethers, carnivals and other gatherings it was so much his year. Fortunately I had a princess and a witch that didn’t require too much prep on my part. Little make-up and hair.
Love the dedication your husband puts into his costumes. I saw a few jokers last night but your husband was better than any by far.
on November 1st, 2008 at 6:59 pmWow, how many kids did he frighten? Love the costumes. Thanks for sharing.
on November 1st, 2008 at 10:37 pmRuth – It was busy. Glad it’s over!
Justareadingfool – Glad he didn’t go to bed with it, can you imagine turning over and seeing that face?
Monica – Yep! It’s their first year so I tagged along for about a dozen houses before I turned around to hand out candy at the house.
Ali – I have a feeling Halloween will never be low key around here. He’s set up an expectation that he’ll need to live up too.
Amy BTW M – That’s his real hair! It was actually too long so I cut an inch off. Crazy, before that our hair was about the same length. I have a family photo of us on my “about” page.
Tarie – Do they celebrate Halloween or anything similar in the Philippines?
Lisa – We got away last year without trick or treating but he’s been practicing his “knock” for days!
Suey – He stayed in character all day! I called him at work to see if he had won his costume contest (which he did) and he answered the phone in character. It was way creepy!
Brieana – Hey, you’ve commented on my blog! I hope you had a fun Halloween!
Jeanette – He did make a little boy cry. It was so sad!
Jenn M. – Thank goodness the boys didn’t have makeup either or I don’t know how I would have survived! As for me I was Harleyquin at our adult costume party. I don’t even know if I spelled it right, but she’s jokers girlfriend in the cartoons. I got away with not wearing it again. I felt so dorky in it!
Janelle – At least one! The younger kids didn’t know who he was having not seen the movie but the scars were pretty scary!
on November 2nd, 2008 at 12:19 amI checked out a couple of good books from the library. They are new ones called “Where’s my Mummy” by Carolyn Crimi and “Goodnight Goon: A Petrifying Parody” by Michael Rex. Both of them are really cute.
Your family’s costumes are great. Did you dress up too?
on November 2nd, 2008 at 12:30 amOh my gosh!! Those are the two I couldn’t remember!! Our library totally read those in storytime and I knew they were new releases. How could I not remember them when I was writing the post? I think I’ll go back and edit them in. I just dressed up once as Joker’s girlfriend but got away with not dressing up for most of the activities. It took all my energy just to keep up with those three.
on November 2nd, 2008 at 12:53 amWe celebrate Halloween in a crazy way in the Philippines! Everyone goes to the cemetery where their loved ones are buried and PAR-TAY. Food, drinks, music (even live bands and raffle draws) fill the graveyards of the Philippines for three days (Oct. 31 – Nov. 2)! Some, okay most, of the food and drinks are for the revelers. But we also “serve” the dead some food – we leave it right next to their tombstones.
on November 2nd, 2008 at 1:12 amTruly incredible costumes! Your husband must be quite the actor. He even has the correct slouchy, crazy stance and expresion. The kids look absolutely adorable. Wish we had more than one story time to attend. Sounds like great fun.
on November 2nd, 2008 at 9:01 amHe didn’t make any pencils disappear, did he? lol, great makeup
on November 2nd, 2008 at 9:27 amGreat costumes! Where’s yours?
on November 2nd, 2008 at 12:49 pmOMG, your husband freaks me out! Great costume!
on November 2nd, 2008 at 6:33 pmTarie – America as gotten so far off track considering that most cultures celebrate it as celebration of the dead. It’s all about the costumes and candies. But hey, he always need a good excuse to dress up into funny costumes and parade the streets as if it’s normal.
Lisa – We had way too many story times. We normally attend three a week and both libraries did Halloween for two weeks out and then we went to a special Halloween story time at a library we normally don’t attend. It was fun.
readsallnight – I don’t think I could sleep next to him if he did!
Dewey – Taylor bought me one but I didn’t like it. Maybe I’ll be more celebratory next year.
Chris – Imagine seeing him in person!
on November 2nd, 2008 at 8:25 pmSuch a cool costume
on November 3rd, 2008 at 3:07 amgreat joker makeup!
on November 3rd, 2008 at 3:19 pmLOL He’s scary! Cutie pie kids, where’s your picture?
on November 4th, 2008 at 9:08 amO my gosh that’s awesome! He did a great job on his costume and your kids are so cute as the superheros. Love it!
on November 4th, 2008 at 12:24 pmThanks all! My family will be talking about this one for years!
on November 6th, 2008 at 10:10 pm.
Eek-a-Boo has been one of both our kids’ alltime favorites. One of the first they start picking out words from. Right up there with Chronicle Books’ Peek-a-Who?
on August 3rd, 2009 at 2:11 pm