ClassX Video Lessons Grade Grade 2 The Night Before Halloween – Bedtime Stories Read Aloud – Halloween Books for Kids
It was the night before Halloween, and everyone in the house was busy, except for a little mouse. All the spooky creatures were getting ready for the trick-or-treaters who would soon arrive. The mummies were putting on new wraps, and spiders were spinning their webs in the corners. Dracula was smiling and fixing his hair, while Frankenstein’s bride was worried about what to wear!
“Hurry up,” said a sleepy ghoul, “there’s so much to do before the sun comes up.” The witches made a magical potion that got all the monsters and goblins moving. They blew up balloons, hung streamers and lights, and decorated the house all night long.
While the monsters were busy, the children were sleeping in their beds, dreaming of candy corn. When they woke up, it was finally Halloween day! There were fun activities like bobbing for apples and hayrides. Everyone dressed up in costumes for parties and games, and there were cupcakes, candy, and even a parade!
After dinner, it was time to go trick-or-treating. Moms helped repaint faces, fixed clown hats, and put wings back on fairies, angels, and bats. Jack-o-lanterns were placed on porches, smiling with spooky grins.
Gypsies, pirates, and zombies grabbed their flashlights and trick-or-treat bags. They walked down every street, ringing doorbells and saying, “Trick-or-treat!” But just when they thought they were done, a princess remembered one more house!
They went to the house on top of the hill, feeling a little scared. As they stood on the porch, they heard footsteps and the door unlocking.
To their surprise, a wicked old witch appeared with a broom. Her cape shimmered, her face looked scary, and her pointy hat frightened the fairy. The witch said, “Welcome, we have a surprise,” and the children shouted, “Run! It’s not a disguise!”
The monsters were sad when the kids ran away because they wanted to play. The witch said, “We can have our own fun! Come on, little monsters, the night’s just begun!” The monsters cheered and danced with joy. “Happy Halloween to all, and to all a fright night!”
Create Your Own Halloween Story: Gather some paper and crayons or markers. Think about what you would do if you were a character in the story. Would you be a witch, a pirate, or maybe a friendly ghost? Draw a picture of your character and write a short story about your Halloween adventure. Share your story with your family or friends and see what adventures they come up with!
Halloween Costume Parade: Organize a mini costume parade at home or in your classroom. Dress up as your favorite Halloween character from the story or create your own unique costume. Walk around and show off your costume to others. Think about what makes your costume special and how it relates to the Halloween story you read.
Spooky Sound Hunt: Go on a sound hunt around your house or neighborhood. Listen carefully for sounds that remind you of Halloween, like the rustling of leaves, the hoot of an owl, or the creak of a door. Make a list of the spooky sounds you hear and try to recreate them using your voice or objects around you. Discuss with your family or friends how these sounds add to the Halloween atmosphere.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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**The Night Before Halloween**
By Natasha Wing
Illustrated by Cynthia Fisher
It was the night before Halloween, and all through the house, all the creatures were stirring except for the mouse. The monsters had gathered to plan and prepare for the trick-or-treaters who soon would be there. Mummies unraveled and put on new wraps, spiders found corners and spun silky traps. Dracula grinned and slicked back his hair, Frankenstein’s bride cried, “I have nothing to wear!”
“Hurry up,” said a ghoul who started to yawn, “there’s so much to do before bedtime at dawn.” So the witches brewed up a magical potion, which set every monster and goblin in motion. They blew up balloons and hung streamers and lights, and decorated till the wee hours of night.
Meanwhile, the children were tucked snug in their beds, while visions of candy corn danced in their heads. In the morning when they woke, it was Halloween day. There was bobbing for apples and rides in the hay. There were costume parties and games to be played, cupcakes and candy, and of course, a parade.
After dinner was served and the kids were done eating, it was finally time to go trick-or-treating. Moms repainted faces and straightened clown hats, and put wings back on fairies, angels, and bats. Jack-o-lanterns were set out on porches with care; their grins seemed to say, “Not if you dare!”
Gypsies and pirates and zombies in rags grabbed their bright flashlights and trick-or-treat bags. They walked down each lane, avenue, and street, rang every doorbell, and said, “Trick-or-treat!” But just when the children thought they were done, the princess said, “We’ve forgotten just one!”
So they walked to the house at the top of the hill, which gave all the kids a spine-tingling thrill. They stood on the porch and were ready to knock when they heard heavy footsteps and the turn of a lock.
When what to their curious eyes should loom but a wicked old witch holding a broom. Her cape how it shimmered, her face oh so scary, her hat was so pointy it frightened the fairy. The wicked witch said, “Welcome, we have a surprise,” and the children yelled, “Run! It’s not a disguise!”
The monsters were sad when the kids ran away; they wanted the children to come in and play. The wicked witch said, “We can have our own fun! Come on, little monsters, the night’s just begun!” The monsters all cheered as they danced with delight. “Happy Halloween to all, and to all a fright night!”
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This version maintains the essence of the original while ensuring it’s appropriate for all audiences.
