The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat

Stan and Jan Berenstain's The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat is a Halloween story for 5 year olds about two cubs going trick or treating on their own for the very first time.

What happens

The Bear cubs, Brother and Sister, can't wait. Their costumes are ready days early (a spooky monster for Brother, a ballerina for Sister). Brother jumps out at Mama in his mask the minute she walks in with the shopping.

This year there's no grown-up going with them. Papa isn't so sure about that. So Mama sets the rules. Stay in your own neighbourhood, and don't eat a single treat until you're home.

Brother draws a map so they don't miss anybody. Mrs Grizzle for her special cookies, Teacher Jane, Gramps and Gran. But there's one house they are definitely NOT visiting. Old Miz McGrizz lives in a twisted tree house at the end of Crooked Lane, and everyone knows she's a witch.

Mama says that's nonsense. The cubs don't believe her for a minute.

Then on the big night Too-Tall and his gang turn up, full of mischief and carrying a roll of toilet paper. In the dark, the cubs don't notice where they're being led until it's too late.

Is it scary? A little, in the best way. There's Papa's jack-o'-lantern glowing with all the lights off, a door flung open in the dark and a gravelly voice. But nothing bad happens, and everyone is home safe with their treats at the end.

What makes it work is how easy it is to see yourself in it. Deciding someone is scary because of how their house looks is exactly what kids do (grown-ups too, if we're honest). Mama puts it into words right at the start (things aren't always what they look like), and the whole night ends up proving her right.

It's also a nice one to share when your reader is starting to do a few things more independently. Mama's rules are simple and sensible, which makes them easy to talk about together.

If your reader is dressing up for Halloween this year, it's a lovely one to read together beforehand. It's gently spooky with a very kind heart.

What to read next

For another one where Mama helps the cubs look past first impressions, try The Berenstain Bears Learn About Strangers. Sister gets so worried about strangers that everyone starts to look like a baddie, until Mama shows her you can't always tell from the outside.