Arthur's Halloween (Arthur Adventure)
#7 of 34 in An Arthur adventure Series
What’s inside...
In 'Arthur's Halloween,' part of the Arthur Adventure series by Marc Brown, Arthur faces his fears of Halloween. The story follows Arthur as he prepares for the spooky holiday, which he finds quite scary. His little sister, D.W., is not afraid at all and is excited about the prospect of trick-or-treating. Arthur's trepidation grows when he learns about a Halloween party at the scary old witch's house. Despite his fears, Arthur, dressed as a ghost, joins his friends for the party. Throughout the evening, Arthur encounters various Halloween frights but eventually learns that things are not as scary as they seem. The book teaches children about overcoming fears, the fun of Halloween traditions, and the value of friendship during adventurous times.
Discussion points
What was your favorite part of Arthur's Halloween adventure and why?
How do you think Arthur felt when he faced something scary? Have you ever felt the same way?
Why do you think the characters chose those specific costumes?
How did the characters' actions help resolve their problems during Halloween?
What would you have done if you were in Arthur's place during his Halloween adventure?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the story to their own experiences by asking them about a time they felt scared and how they overcame that fear.
Discuss the importance of bravery and teamwork as depicted in the story, and relate it to everyday situations your child might encounter.
Use the costumes chosen by characters as a fun starting point to brainstorm ideas for your child’s own Halloween or dress-up activities.
Highlight the problem-solving aspects of the story, and ask your child how they might approach similar challenges.
After reading, consider watching an episode of the Arthur TV series that deals with Halloween to reinforce themes and continue the discussion.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage to face fears
Explanation: In the story, Arthur shows bravery by confronting his fears of the dark and spooky things associated with Halloween.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to face their own fears, whether it's trying something new or overcoming nervousness in unfamiliar situations.
Example Lesson: Understanding and empathy
Explanation: Arthur learns to be understanding and empathetic towards his sister, D.W., who is scared of Halloween. He helps her navigate her fears.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of helping others who are fearful and demonstrates how empathy is important in supporting friends and siblings.
Example Lesson: Creativity and imagination
Explanation: Arthur and his friends use their creativity to come up with costumes and participate in Halloween activities.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to use their imagination in play and in expressing themselves creatively, be it in choosing their attire or in other aspects of daily activities.
Example Lesson: Importance of community participation
Explanation: Arthur engages in community Halloween events, showing the value of being part of communal celebrations.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to participate in local events and understand the value of community bonding and involvement.
Example Lesson: Overcoming misunderstandings
Explanation: Throughout the book, misunderstandings about scary decorations and costumes are cleared up, teaching children that things are not always as they seem.
Real-World Application: Helps children develop critical thinking skills and encourages them to ask questions and seek understanding rather than making assumptions.