Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie Kingsley
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Rhyming story brings fun and silliness to lonely Halloween.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In SPOOPS: THE LITTLE SPIRITS OF HALLOWEEN, tiny, playful "spoops" (witches, mummies, owls, pumpkins, etc.) come out only on Halloween night, and only when invited. Young Holly loves Halloween but her dentist parents won't let her be part of trick-or-treating because the candy rots people's teeth. On Halloween night, when her parents leave the house for just a little while, Holly's dream for Halloween fun makes its way to her thanks to some mischievous helpers who might accomplish more than what was she wished for.
Is It Any Good?
Lots of wordplay, vibrant illustrations, and a silly, inclusive message about the many ways to celebrate Halloween makes this a delightful story—just not for beginning readers. Spoops: The Little Spirits of Halloween, is fantastic to read aloud, with silliness woven into the rhymes on every eye-catching page and the satisfaction of a girl who is finally understood by her parents. Holly's focus on creativity, imagination, and having fun with others is a wonderful way to view a holiday that is so often about piles of candy and endless sugar. This is a longer story than usual for a Halloween picture book, but it's full of warmth, community, creativity, and surprising ways to rhyme funny words.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Holly responds to the magic in Spoops: The Little Spirits of Halloween. What makes her see them as funny and helpful rather than scary?
If you celebrate Halloween, what are some of your favorite Halloween traditions? What is something new you'd like to try doing?
What other Halloween books do you like?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Laurie A. Conley
- Genre : Holiday
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Holidays
- Character Strengths : Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Top Shelf
- Publication date : August 12, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 5 - 8
- Number of pages : 72
- Available on : Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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