‘Bears and Boos’ offers Halloween fun

Bears and Boos

Written by Shirley Parenteau and illustrated by David Walker

Candlewick Press, 2020

‘Bears and Boos’ is a sweet Halloween read-aloud for youngsters. Even during the Covid-19 pandemic, young children can enjoy this story in the Bears on Chairs series.

The story, told in rhyme, begins with a box full of costumes. The excited bears come running. They dig through the box grabbing costumes for Halloween.

The small bears shout and tussle over the items in the box. Finally, little Floppy is knocked to the ground. When he gets up, nothing is left in the box.

Fuzzy Bear offers him a golden gown and apologizes for knocking him down. Quickly, one bear after another gives Floppy something, a wand, a necklace, and a jeweled belt that doubles as a glittering crown.

Floppy smiles and shouts, “Ta-da! Thanks to my friends, I’m the holiday queen!”

Then the bears parade outside in their costumes.

“Their costumes look great,

And their smiles do, too!

The bears shout together,

‘It’s Halloween! Boo!’ “

The story ends by saying, “When the bears all share, the bears all win. Let the Halloween celebration begin!”

David Walker's simple, brightly-colored illustrations are cheery and will please youngsters.

This year, the Covid-19 pandemic will change how children celebrate Halloween. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) discourages traditional Trick or Treating and Halloween parties. Safer alternatives include a scavenger hunt for Halloween treats at home, a virtual Halloween costume contest, walking or riding around the neighborhood with the family and admiring Halloween decorations, and carving and decorating pumpkins at home.    

About the Author

Shirley Parenteau is the author of seven other books about the bears, as well as the Friendship Dolls series of middle-grade novels. About this book, she says “Halloween! Costumes! Fun! But what if there aren’t enough costumes for every bear?” Shirley lives in Elk Grove, California.    

About the Illustrator

David Walker has illustrated many children’s books, including the seven previous Bears on Chairs books and the Peep and Ducky books by David Martin. David lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.