More Spooky Texas Tales
Spooky Texas Tales Series
What’s inside...
More Spooky Texas Tales, by Tim Tingle, is a collection of eerie stories rooted in Texas folklore. The book explores Texas's cultural heritage through ghostly narratives, featuring haunted landscapes and legendary creatures. Tingle masterfully blends suspense, mystery, and humor in tales that captivate and terrify. The book includes tales like the fearsome Chupacabra, mysterious newcomers, and non-human hitchhikers. Stories such as 'Skinwalker', 'La Llorona', and 'The Money's Paw' add thrilling twists to well-known legends, all told with modern detail and preserving the region's diverse folklore. The fearsome Chupacabra stalks the desert valley, while a grandson wanders far from the ranch. The woman who's just moved to the neighborhood wears strange sunglasses after dark. What could be behind them? A man picks up a hitchhiker—only to discover that his passenger is not human. Kids of all ages will find chills and thrills in these tales of the weird, the macabre, and the mysterious, all collected from the lore and legends of the Lone Star State. In addition to 'Skinwalker,' the authors' most requested school concert story, this new volume adds spine-tingling twists on the account of La Llorona, the weeping woman, said to be the world's best-known ghost; the classic tale 'The Money's Paw'; the story of 'The Screaming Banshee Cattle of the Night Swamp,' and seven others. Told with humor and lively modern-day detail, these renderings by veteran storytellers not only please and entertain but preserve a wealth of folklore from a culturally diverse region of the country.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
104 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What was your favorite story from 'More Spooky Texas Tales' and why did it stand out to you?
How did the characters in the stories react to spooky events? What would you do in a similar situation?
What do you think is the message or lesson behind each spooky tale? Does it relate to any experiences you've had?
How do the settings of Texas influence the mood and events in the tales? Can you imagine these stories happening somewhere else?
If you could create your own spooky tale, what elements from the book would you use and what new elements would you add?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the stories by sharing your own thoughts and reactions as well.
Connect the tales to personal experiences or familiar locations to make the stories more relatable and less intimidating.
Discuss the decisions made by the characters and explore alternative choices, fostering problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
Use the spooky elements to discuss fears and how to face them, transforming fears into learning experiences.
Create a fun atmosphere for discussing the book, such as reading with flashlights or creating drawings of favorite scenes or characters.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in facing fears
Explanation: The various stories in 'More Spooky Texas Tales' depict characters who confront and overcome their fears, teaching children the value of bravery.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to face their own fears, whether it’s trying something new or facing a challenging situation at school.
Example Lesson: Importance of community
Explanation: Characters in the stories often rely on their community or work together to solve problems, emphasizing the strength found in unity.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to value and seek support from their own communities, be it family, friends, or classmates.
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions
Explanation: Stories in the book highlight how characters' actions lead to certain outcomes, teaching the principle of cause and effect.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to think about the consequences their actions might have before they act, promoting responsible decision-making.
Example Lesson: Historical and cultural awareness
Explanation: Set in Texas, the book includes elements of local folklore and history, providing cultural education alongside entertainment.
Real-World Application: This can spark interest in children to learn more about their own heritage or explore the histories and cultures of other regions.
Example Lesson: Creative problem-solving
Explanation: The protagonists in the tales often use creativity to tackle challenges or mysteries, underscoring the importance of thinking outside the box.
Real-World Application: Kids can be encouraged to apply creative thinking to overcome obstacles in their academic and personal lives.