Halloween in the Orchard (Countryside Holidays, 3)

Everything is about Halloween this time of year, and a boy and his parents are excited about an upcoming visit to the orchard. The boy digs through the dress-up box and pulls out a pirate costume. Momma helps the boy decorate his trick-or-treat bag, and Daddy and the boy make jack-o’-lantern pizzas. At last, it is time to go to the orchard. There are lots of other families walking around in costumes, a petting zoo, and many different kinds of scarecrows around—cats and gnomes and fairies and more. Each scarecrow has a treat bucket for the children to take for their treat bags. The boy gets separated from his parents in the corn maze but finds them in time to finish the evening on the hay ride.

Phyllis Alsdurf has written a cute slice-of-life Halloween story that the youngest listeners will enjoy. There isn’t much plot or growth for the main character. There are two nice activities at the back of the book to further engage young listeners. The real star of the book, though, is the gorgeous artwork by Lisa Hunt, filling every page with wonderful details to keep little ones engaged.