Halloween is exciting for children. At school we had a ‘Day in the Dark’, using flashlights and glow sticks for light. Playing with black playdoh on shiny foil, painting with neon paint and using a black light, and playing with glow sticks in colored water was so much fun.
Before we carved our jack-o-lantern, we hammered golf tees into the pumpkin. Wouldn’t you love to do this? When an activity is good for children – in this case developing hand muscles and eye-hand coordination – and it’s fun, it’s a Win-Win.
Our wonderful neighbors came trick-or-treating. They think Jennie and Steve are the best.
Of course Halloween does not go by without a Jennie Story, The Halloween Story. By now in the school year, children know our analog clock and can (mostly) read the numbers. Every day at lunch they ask me what number before my story. Usually it’s the number 6, but sometimes it’s a 7. Do you know how important the combination of the analog clock and waiting for a Jennie Story is for learning numbers? And of course for patience?
For those of you who have not heard my Halloween Story, I tell it in the dark, with joy and worry. You’ll see…
“It Happened Like This”… When I was eight years old I went trick-or-treating with my little sister, Sarah. Back then children went trick-or-treating alone. There were no Moms or Dads. And, we never went out until it was really dark. All the way dark. I dressed up as Raggedy Ann and Sarah dressed up as a scarecrow (although she looked more like a hobo than a scarecrow). We each had a pillow case to collect all the candy which we called our ‘loot’. We were so excited!
Then my mother said, “Jennie, don’t forget to go trick-or-treating at Mrs. Crotty’s house.” Mrs. Crotty! Oh, no! She was really old. She always looked mean and she never smiled. Her house was dark brick with big bushes and trees everywhere. Everything was always dark. Her house was as old as she was.
I said nothing to my mother.
Sarah and I headed out trick-or-treating. We had the best time! We got tons of candy, too. When we got back home we dumped our pillowcases out on the rug in the den and sorted through all the candy. I gave Sarah all my Tootsie Roll Pops and she gave me all her Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Yum!
Then my mother said, “Did you go trick-or-treating at Mrs. Crotty’s?” I had forgotten, of course. When I heard her words I felt like a lightening bolt had hit me while I was falling off a roller coaster. Again she said, “Well, did you go to Mrs. Crotty’s house?” All I could do was look down and shake my head. My mother was not happy! She said, “Jennie, I told you to go. So take your sister’s hand and go right now”.
I took Sarah’s hand and we went back outside together. Now it was really dark and trick-or-treat was over. Over! There were no lights on at anyone’s house. We slowly walked to Mrs. Crotty’s house. As we turned the sidewalk and walked up her walkway I squeezed Sarah’s hand and she squeezed mine. I was so scared. We got to Mrs. Crotty’s porch which was pitch black and surrounded by weird branches. As we approached the front door I said to my sister, “You knock.” “Oh, no” she said, “Mother told you to do it.” So, I took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
A moment later I heard the door slowly creak open. Just as I was ready to run away, the lights came on and there stood Mrs. Crotty, smiling. I’d never seen her smile before. She said, “Hi Jennie. Hi Sarah. Come in.” We stepped inside the door. “Wait right there!” We didn’t move. She ran to the back of the house and returned with two gigantic popcorn balls, covered in melted butter and caramel. They were still warm. Yum!
And I was so afraid. Silly me.
Here are my three favorite Halloween picture books:
Do you see how ragged Big Pumpkin is? I learned ages ago from the library that those are the best books, because they have been read over and over again.
Happy Halloween!
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
Spook-tacular, Jennie! Great photos. Happy Halloween. Hugs.
Thank you, Teagan! Halloween hugs to you. 🎃
Happy Halloween! I have fond memories of reading Big Pumpkin every fall. It’s one of the best, indeed!
I’m so glad you know this great book! It’s a classic in my classroom. Happy Halloween.
Happy Halloween, Jennie. 🎃
Thank you, John. Happy Halloween to you. 🎃
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It looks and sounds like it was a great day at school.
I love your Halloween story. Those popcorn balls do sound yummy!!
Happy Halloween!!
It was a great day at school. Oh, those popcorn balls were delicious! I still remember. Happy Halloween, Deborah.
Another fun day in Jennie’s classroom.
Thank you, Anneli!
You better watch out Jennie…..Trump is looking for any excuse to throw people in jail!
You are having more fun then the kids!
Yes, I am! 🎃
Happy Halloween Jennie!
Thank you, FR!
happy halloween! it looks like a great day from beginning to end! I love all 3 of those halloween books –
It was a great day. I knew you would love these books. I told the children about worn and torn books – the one I read today – and how/why they were the best books, ever.
Happy Halloween, Jennie! Those glow in the dark activities look like so much fun!! Of course, I remember the Mrs. Crotty story. It’s a very valuable life lesson. I’m sure Gloria can relate.
Happy Halloween, Liz. The glow in the dark activities were so much fun! I’m glad you remember Mrs. Crotty’s story. It’s definitely a valuable lesson, and Gloria can relate. Gloria is spending the weekend with Miles, and going trick-or-treating. I was excited to tell Miles’ mom that she has a Halloween shirt for trick-or-treating. She told me they have a dog costume for her, if she wants to wear it! We’ll see what Gloria decides.
I can’t wait to see the Gloria photos!!
I am so excited, too! I hope Miles took pictures. How cool if she wears a dog costume. We’ll see. 🎃
I’ll bet Miles took pictures of such a special visitor.
Fingers crossed!
Happy Hallowe’en, Jennie. Those glow in the dark activities look like a lot of fun. I remember your Hallowe’en story. You conquered your fear.
Yes, they were a lot of fun! I’m so glad you remembered the Halloween story. Yes, I conquered my fear, and it is a great lesson for children. Thank you, Carla.
Happy Halloween, Jennie! It was nice to read this after “hosting” the trick-or-treaters this evening. No tricks, all treats is how the scoreboard read when the night was over. Those popcorn balls sound so good right about now. We may have to whip some of them up here soon. The “Room On The Broom” cover looks like that one in particular would be great fun for any age and no doubt…the worn books must be winners because they obviously have been the most beloved.
Happy Halloween, Bruce! I’m so glad you enjoyed this. It sounds like trick-or-treating was fun in your neighborhood. Yes, yum on the popcorn balls! The good picture books are great for any age, adults included. The worn ones really do send a message of being well loved. Best to you!
As soon as I started reading your Jennie story, I remembered it. Mrs. Crotty would make a perfect name for a story character.
I’ve never heard of hammering golf tees into a pumpkin. I’ll bet the kids had a blast doing that. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall, listening to them while they worked.
Yes, her name would make a perfect character, especially in a creepy story. When Jack is 3, he will love hammering golf tees into pumpkins. Get him Brio tools (a great toy), the hammer that comes with the set is perfect. We hammered the golf tees before we carved the pumpkin, then there were holes all over to let the light through.
I’m going to remember that. In fact, I’m going to look up Brio tools right now.
I’m so glad!
Just bought a tool set. It says two and up, but I know you would know. Debbie told me that they did something similar at her preschool.
Honestly, two is too young. Really. He’ll be frustrated. Three and older (or an old two) is perfect. It’s SO hard to wait when you want to get them great toys. Save it for a year. MagnaTiles are THE best. It’s the greatest toy since Legos. Jack can do them at two, but don’t be swept up with ‘theme’ MagnaTiles. Just the basic, original. If you want to get Jack the best trucks, Green Toys. They are so good!
Lively photos Jenny and as always a great story with a good message. Bless you all 💜🎃🎃
Many thanks, Willow! 🎃
Always a pleasure Jennie you always inspire me 🥰
Aww… that’s so nice! You always inspire me, too, Willow. Many thanks. 💕
Bless you 🙏
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Even though I don’t celebrate Halloween, I feel the joy you create for the kids with your special projects and your great story.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thanks so much, Pete! It was fun.
I believe that Steve and Jenny are the best neighbours! No trick or treaters here, although the kids do dress up and have parties at school.
Aww… thanks, Darlene. I’m glad the kids dress up and have parties at school. When our daughter lived in Italy, she was shocked that no one carved jack-o-lanterns, so she carved many. Many!
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I love that story, Jennie. I remember trick or treating back in those days.
Thanks, Dan!
So good! I’ve always loved glow sticks! 🧡🤩
They’re so much fun! Many thanks.
I remember this sweet Halloween story. A memorable day in the school calendar.
It is! Thank you, Robbie, glad you remember. 🙂
the day in the dark and flashlight use sounds like so much fun!!
It was! Thank you, Yvette.
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I love all the fun crafting. And I do remember your Halloween story. 🥰
I’m so glad! Thank you, Debby.
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I’m glad you had a good time, then and now.
Yes! Thank you, Andrew.
You’re welcome.
I could almost feel that nervous hand squeeze and see those shadowy bushes giving way to the warm surprise of Mrs. Crotty’s smile. It’s such a beautiful reminder that behind many of our childhood “monsters” were just kind souls waiting to be understood — and maybe share something sweet. Loved every moment of this story.👌🏻🙏🏻
Well said, and thank you.