With Halloween around the corner, the spooky movies and stories are coming out from the shadows! As I’m picking books for reading aloud to young children, I don’t always pick the traditional scary monster books. This year, I’m pairing up two picture books about being fearless.
After the Fall: How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again by Dan Santat shares Humpty Dumpty’s story after his well-known accident. He’s now petrified of heights, but yet he yearns to fly high above the air with the birds. Humpty is determined to make his wish come true despite his fears.
Winifred Schnitzel, the heroine in Monster Trouble by Lane Fredrickson is never afraid – but she is quite irritated at the neighborhood monsters. The monsters keep her awake all night with futile scaring attempts. Winifred finally discovers the monsters’ biggest fear and is able to sleep soundly at night.
Both picture books are wonderful for reading aloud to preschoolers through second graders. Kids will enjoy how the characters face their problems and transform their lives. The vibrant illustrations enhance both of these stories and will delight kids and their grownups.
After falling off the wall, Humpty Dumpty is very afraid of climbing up again but is determined not to let fear stop him from being close to the birds. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby.
Although Winifred thinks the monsters who creep into her bedroom each night are cute, she cannot get any sleep and tries to scare them away.