Review: Good Story with a Good Lesson
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 10 23, 2013
"A Ghost Went Trick-or-Treating" by Gene Wilikers is a cute story about a small ghost who ventured out on Halloween to get candy. Everybody else was wearing a costume, so the little ghost just fit right in. He met up with some other kids, who invited him to join them, so the bullies didn't pick on him. At least, all but one of them wanted him to join them. This lone objection came from a boy who was suspicious of the ghost because he wouldn't speak... he'd just nod, shrug, or shake his head when asked a question.After a successful trip through the neighborhood, the little ghost went back home, where his ghost costume turned out to really be a costume! He wasn't really a ghost, he was a monster! That was why he wouldn't talk in front of the other kids, because his voice would have given him away.Shortly after sitting down to count his candy, the little ghost/monster heard a commotion outside. Looking out the window, he saw three bullies picking on the one boy who didn't trust the "ghost", and trying to take away his candy. Quick as a flash, the little monster ran outside and growled at the bullies. One tried to act tough, but the others ran away. Soon the tough guy followed. As the little monster approached the victim of the bullies, that poor kid closed his eyes in anticipation of being eaten. Instead, the little monster asked if he was alright and helped him up.They went on to become fast friends, and everybody lived happily ever after. Or something like that.This is not a scary story. It is very suitable for even 3 year olds to hear. There is a morale, too... Don't Judge People by their Looks! The little boy did not like the little ghost because he wouldn't talk. Then he was terrified of the little monster, because he thought he was going to be eaten. In reality, he learned they were both the same guy, who wasn't so bad after all.I would have no problem recommending this for children as young as 3, or even 2 year olds capable of understanding at least some of the words. The overall message will still come through, even if they can't understand every word read to them: it's what's on the inside that counts, not the outer appearance. That's a lesson kids are never too young to start learning.