The Scariest Story You've Ever Heard
Scariest Silliest Stories Series
What’s inside...
'A night they'll NEVER forget!' This fun and imaginative picture book, written in verse, follows two little brothers who set out to discover the source of mysterious and terrifying noises in the dark. With a suspenseful narrative and beautiful illustrations by Arthur Lin, The Scariest Story You've Ever Heard will captivate children and keep them on the edge of their seats until the thrilling conclusion. It is the perfect gift for any occasion, blending the creativity and humor of B.J. Novak's The Book With No Pictures with the spooky charm of At the Old Haunted House by Helen Kettemen and Nate Wragg. Suitable for children aged 3 to 8, this book is a 2022 Readers' Choice Book Awards GOLD MEDAL WINNER and a 2022 Readers' Favorite Book Award SILVER MEDAL WINNER.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
44 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What part of the story did you find the scariest, and why?
How did the characters in the book handle their fear?
Can you think of a time you were scared and how you overcame it?
What do you think is the message or moral of the story?
If you could change one part of the story, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, set a comfortable and relaxed reading environment. Let your child know it's okay to share if they feel scared.
Pause at suspenseful moments to ask your child to predict what might happen next, enhancing their analytical skills.
Discuss personal experiences with fear to help your child relate to the characters and understand their feelings.
After reading, encourage your child to draw or write about a scene where the character overcame fear. This reinforces positive outcomes from facing fears.
Use follow-up questions to explore the story's themes deeper, showing your child that fear is a normal emotion that can be managed.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in the face of fear
Explanation: The protagonist of 'The Scariest Story You've Ever Heard' demonstrates bravery by confronting spooky challenges. Despite feeling scared, the character shows resilience and determination.
Real-World Application: This story helps children understand that it's normal to feel scared, but facing our fears can often lead to personal growth and self-confidence. They can apply this lesson when dealing with their own fears such as trying new activities or dealing with changes.
Example Lesson: Importance of imagination
Explanation: Throughout the book, the characters use their imagination to navigate through eerie scenarios. This ability turns potentially scary moments into creative and manageable situations.
Real-World Application: Children learn to use their imagination as a tool for problem-solving. This encourages creative thinking in real-life challenges, such as creating games or storytelling among peers.
Example Lesson: Value of teamwork
Explanation: The characters in the story often come together to solve mysteries and face fears, showing that working as a team can make daunting tasks much easier and less frightening.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches kids the benefits of collaborating with others. Whether it's working on a group project at school or playing a team sport, cooperation can lead to better outcomes and shared joy.
Example Lesson: Empathy towards others
Explanation: In their adventures, the characters encounter creatures that are misunderstood because of their scary appearance. By interacting with them, the characters learn to understand and empathize with others' feelings and perspectives.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be empathetic and considerate towards those who are different from them, promoting inclusivity and understanding in their everyday social interactions.