Common Sense Media Review
By Sierra Filucci
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Animated Scholastic tales offer mildly spooky fun.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
A Very Brave Witch and More Great Halloween Stories for Kids
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Eight Halloween-themed stories bring popular and lesser-known books alive for children. The DVD includes a read-along option where kids can follow the text at the bottom of the screen. The stories -- "A Very Brave Witch," "By the Light of the Halloween Moon," "A Dark, Dark Tale," "Georgie," "The Witch in the Cherry Tree," The Three-Legged Cat," "The Three Robbers," and "Little Tim and the Brave Sea Captain" -- cover the familiar spooky territory of witches, ghosts, the dark, and storms in a variety of ways. "A Very Brave Witch," narrated by Elle Fanning, tells the story of a girl witch who explores stereotypes about humans and is pleasantly surprised. "The Witch and the Cherry Tree" features a sneaky witch who tries to trick a boy into giving her cupcakes.
Is It Any Good?
With eight stories in the collection, quality and kid-appeal varies from story to story, but each has some charming or attractive element. Some stories, like "A Dark, Dark Tale" and "By the Light of the Halloween Moon," involve very little narrative, but offer sweet introductions to sprites, witches, and other traditionally scary characters. The variety in animation (three stories feature only still illustrations), narration, and music make this a pleasant mix of simple and more complex seasonal tales that most kids will enjoy throughout the year.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about real and pretend. What kinds of characters in the movies are real and which are pretend?
Why do people dress up on Halloween and other occasions?
Which story was your favorite, and why?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : September 29, 2009
- Cast : Elle Fanning
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Scholastic
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- Run time : 69 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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