From My Reading Chair…
Halloween is supposed to be a pumpkin’s season! Their annual opportunity to sit on a doorstep looking suitably festive! Their time to shine. (Literally!)
But what if you’re a pumpkin who’s afraid of the dark? Oh, Boo. You gorgeous, worried little pumpkin! All that Halloween excitement feels rather less exciting when you’re the one being frightened, doesn’t it?
Well, luckily, Boo meets a little boy who is frightened too. Neither has to pretend for the other, and facing the darkness begins to feel possible with somebody standing beside them.
Mike Byrne’s illustrations root The Pumpkin Who Was Afraid of the Dark in the spooky-cute part of the pumpkin patch. There is such softness to them, and Boo’s wonderfully expressive little face is ADORABLE! My anxiety-riddled heart recognised a kindred spirit immediately.
What I appreciate in this story is the room Michelle Robinson makes for Boo to work out what feels right for her. Nobody laughs at her, orders her to “be braver” or treats her worry as an inconvenient obstacle to everybody else’s fun. As somebody who lives with anxiety, I cannot overstate how comforting that feels. There is no comfort in being told that the thing frightening you shouldn’t be frightening you. Like, congratulations?! I am now frightened AND feeling ridiculous. Excellent work, I am cured. Not that I have first-hand experience of that, oh no, nope.
Anyway, Michelle Robinson’s tumbling rhythm makes this an easy one to return to and share aloud. It isn’t the wildest story in the patch, but it has warmth and heart. Which, for me, completely captures the seasonal spirit.
For me, Halloween has always been a celebration of compassion, creativity and community. Loving it and wanting to be frightened are two very, VERY different things. Some of us will want darkness, horror and thrills; others will want autumn leaves, cosy stories and a gentle sprinkling of spooky. Both belong in the season (and my soul!).
There is room for all the creatures: brave, anxious, both and everything in between. As there should be in every library! You can all sit with me. Especially you, Boo. Always.
Creep on Reading, Pumpkins!
