Are You Ready For Halloween?

Do you ever feel like the month of October is one big build-up to Halloween? More and more people go to extravagant decorating measures, complete with orange lights and animated, inflatable spooks. I suppose that Halloween is one of our more secular holidays (even though it has its roots in religion) and, as such, it is becoming more and more commercial.

Even though I strongly dislike haunted houses and horror movies, I've always liked Halloween. It is the one day of the year where everyone is encouraged to use their imagination. Whether you decide to play a supernatural creature, dream you are your favorite animal, or imagine yourself in your dream career, is up to you. Playing, dreaming, and imagining are cornerstones of childhood, but adults are given a reminder every October 31st that those qualities are important in life.

And who knows that better than children's authors and illustrators? Here are some quotes from fabulous books to get you and the kiddos in the Halloween spirit! BOO!

The Monstore by Tara Lazar; Illustrated by James Burks

"The Monstore sells only the most useful monsters, just right for doing tricky things around the house."

In the Haunted House by Eve Bunting; Illustrated by Susan Meddaugh

"And who's in the closet, dark as a tomb,/ Rattling his bones in the gloom-gloomy-gloom?"

Pumpkin Day! Written and illustrated by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace

"Jack patted the pumpkins. They made a thump sound."

Even Monsters Need Haircuts by Matthew McElligott

"I tuck the moon powder into my pocket, right next to my tangling brush."

Mercy Watson: Princess in Disguise by Kate DiCamillo; Illustrated by Chris Van Dusen

"In my opinion," said Eugenia, "pigs should not go trick-or-treating. In my opinion, pigs should not pose as princesses."

Jack the Tripper by Gene Barretta

"Polly was the first student at Benjamin Dizzie Elementary to go down. "I got tripped!" she cried as she stumble into the classroom."