The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky is a Halloween-themed picture book from bestselling author and illustrator duo Jory John and Pete Oswald. In this story, the Bad Seed (the title character of their first book collaboration in 2017) is a sunflower seed in a cranky mood because he can't seem to find the perfect Halloween costume. Despite trying to ruin the holiday for the whole field/neighborhood, he ends up learning some positive lessons from a kindly neighbor and finally understands what Halloween is really about -- and why it's important not to sweat the small stuff. Like Oswald and John's other books, The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky has a witty tone, cute puns, and fun and colorful illustrations, but it also packs in some positive lessons about mental health that kids of all ages can appreciate. This book also comes with over 150 Halloween- and costume-themed stickers inside, which may spark some creativity for families.
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What's the Story?
In THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY, we meet the Bad Seed. He's a sunflower seed in a bad mood. Halloween makes him anxious and cranky. He can't stop stressing over how important it is for him to have the best Halloween costume. And the stakes are high: All of his friends and neighbors knock it out of the park every year. So he decides to sabotage the holiday by claiming that a thunderstorm and a pack of seed-eating squirrels are on the way. But a kind neighbor helps him realize that Halloween isn't about the costumes and candy -- it's about having fun and enjoying the season with your friends! Is it too late for the Bad Seed to save the holiday?
Is It Any Good?
This witty take on the stresses and challenges of life is packaged in a story that even young kids can understand. Many kids grasp the pressure that Halloween (or anything that's supposed to be fun) can inflict when you're focused on the wrong things. Now more than ever, recognizing and learning to manage mental health is essential. Author Jory John and illustrator Pete Oswald wrap these issues into a delightful story with positive takeaways, as they have in their other collaborations.
Oswald's illustrations are super cute and memorable, and the whimsical characters (and in this case, their costumes) are just the icing on the cake. The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky has it all: positive messages, memorable and imperfect characters, and an original, breezy story. It also comes with over 150 decorative stickers that may spark some costume creativity.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky is different from other Halloween books they've read. What makes this book shine a unique spotlight on the holiday?
Does thinking about your own Halloween costume stress you out? Do you ever get grumpy because you feel overwhelmed and put too much pressure on yourself over something that really doesn't matter? How does this story demonstrate that it's OK to not sweat the small stuff?
Have you read other books by Jory John and Pete Oswald? If so, which ones? What are some things that all their books have in common? What are some of the characters you've met while reading their books?
Book Details
- Author: Jory John
- Illustrator: Pete Oswald
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Friendship, Holidays, Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
- Publication date: July 27, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 8
- Number of pages: 32
- Available on: Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: September 10, 2021
Our Editors Recommend
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The Good Egg Presents: The Great Eggscape!
Colorful Easter egg hunt adventure is playful, creative fun.
For kids who love Halloween and kid crafts
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