Trick or Treat, Crankenstein
Splashy colors and relatable moods make a fun read-aloud.
Kids say
Based on 1 review
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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 Samantha Berger's wryly funny Trick or Treat, Crankenstein is s a great read-aloud story for kids who have felt like everything goes wrong in their day and for the parents who absorb their kids' feelings. Holidays often have such a buildup of expectation and emotion, and here kids see that even when things start out wrong in the morning and it's hard to turn things around, a day and a mood can improve with help of friends (or family). Dan Santat's illustrations pop off the page with big, expressive faces kids can imitate. This is the third book in a series that started with Crankenstein and continued with A Crankenstein Valentine.
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What's the Story?
Even though Halloween is his favorite day, everything seems to go wrong for Crankenstein in TRICK OR TREAT, CRANKENSTEIN. His mouth hurts so he can't eat his favorite cereal, he gets lost in a corn maze, his costume is ruined in the rain, he's scared by a big spider, his pumpkin carving doesn’t go the way he'd planned, and more. But just when his day seems like the worst ever, Crankenstein's friends show up at the door and help him see that things aren't nearly as bad as they seem. In fact, they're pretty good.
Is It Any Good?
The facial expressions and over-the-top emotions when small things go wrong are pitch-perfect here, for young readers and their parents alike. Trick or Treat, Crankenstein captures the big feelings of small kids, and the urgency of all their emotions. A few of the things that turn Crankenstein's day bad hit harder, like when he feels small and embarrassed standing next to someone wearing a better version of his costume. The illustrations are exuberant and expressive, packed with color and lots of fun details to make for a great read-aloud, even outside of Halloween season.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how they've reacted to bad days like what happens in Trick or Treat, Crankenstein. What makes it hard to pull yourself out of a bad mood? What makes it easier?
What are some ways you can help someone else who's feeling the way he did?
What other Halloween books do you like to read?
Book Details
- Author: Samantha Berger
- Illustrator: Dan Santat
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Friendship, Holidays
- Book type: Fiction
- Publishers: Little, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Publication date: August 17, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 8
- Number of pages: 40
- Available on: Hardback
- Last updated: October 11, 2021
Our Editors Recommend
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The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky
Sweet take on stress of picking the best Halloween costume.
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Bad Kitty Scaredy-Cat
Halloween alphabet book is a howlingly funny treat.
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Carl's Halloween
Dog pulls another fast one in fun trick-or-treating jaunt.
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