Skeleton for Dinner

by Margery Cuyler

Big Witch and Little Witch have made stew and want to invite their friends to eat with them, but Skeleton mistakes the guest list for a menu and takes off to warn Ghost and Ghoul, who hide with him in the haunted forest.

Genres: Halloween, Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday, Fiction, Storytime, Humor

32 pages, Library Binding

First published September 1, 2013

About the author

Margery Cuyler is the author of many books for children, including From Here to There, The Little Dump Truck, and That’s Good! That’s Bad! The idea for That’s Good! That’s Bad! was inspired by a conversation with her son, Thomas, who asked, "Can't bad things change into good things?" Ms. Cuyler grew up in the oldest house in Princeton, NJ, and started writing stories as soon as she learned how to write. She now lives in the same house with her husband, sons and two cats.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/marger...

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Skeleton overhears Big Witch and Little Witch planning to "have him for dinner," he misunderstands their intent, and flees in a panic. He convinces Ghost and Ghoul that they too are in danger - in danger of being eaten! - and the three go into hiding. It falls to Crow to set the mistake right, explaining to the three that the witches wanted to host them for dinner, not eat them...

Given my love for all things witchy, my appreciation for spooky Halloween stories, and the fact that I've enjoyed other titles from author Margery Cuyler - Sir William and the Pumpkin Monster , Skeleton Hiccups , etc. - I expected to like Skeleton for Dinner more than I actually did. I appreciated the story idea, which rests on the misunderstanding of the meaning of "have," in this context, and I thought Will Terry's accompanying artwork was colorful, if sometimes a little too cute for me. But the text itself just sometimes felt a little flat. Tastes vary of course, and I did enjoy this one, so picture-book readers looking for spooky witchy/monster stories might want to give this one a try. It never specifically mentions Halloween, but it could definitely be included in a story-time celebrating that holiday.

[Set · Rating 5 out of 5]

Halloween story for the little ones. A Skeleton, ghost, ghoul ran because a confusion with their invitation. Drawings are a bit basic but great colors.

[Canda Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable story with fantastic illustrations!😍

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute and creative! Read to us by Courtney (10) tonight. She loved it.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really cute and funny story about a misunderstood phrase and note. While Big Witch and Little Witch are discussing who to invite to their dinner party, Skeleton overhears them say they want to have "Skeleton for dinner". Of course, he takes that in the worst way possible and runs through the woods warning the other "dinner guests" of their potential fates! It makes for a hilarious read. The illustrations provide their own hugely entertaining accompaniment to the story. This is not your typical Halloween trick or treat story, but would be a great selection to read at Halloween, because witches, skeletons, ghosts and ghouls are sprinkled throughout the pages. Also, the characters are not scary but sweetly illustrated, a plus for parents with kids who are afraid of more frightening images. Highly recommended.

[M.M. Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

How many times have we made a mistake in thinking one way and yet, it was really something else? This is basically the premise in this adorable picture book.

I enjoyed seeing the little skeleton take off to warn his friends but to have a nice conclusion in the end. It was a fun little twist to find out just whom or what helped them all to get straightened out.

The book is done in muted blues, blacks, and greens which is intentional to make the book a little scary but not too much. The illustrations are large and stretched out among two pages which makes the book easy to read.

I loved it. 5 bone rattling stars!

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book for my own collections. The view here is 100% my own and may differ with yours. ~Naila Moon

[Drew Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skeleton is alarmed when it seems two witches want to eat him for dinner, fun and spooky and nicely illustrated misunderstanding antics ensue. The kids are actually way way into silly skeletons so this was a big hit at Halloweentime.

[Villain E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three witches want to have Skeleton for dinner. They mean to invite him, he thinks they mean to eat him, so he hides. My kids love all things Halloween. This has spooky characters without being too scary.

[Miss Ryoko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Those are some seriously cute illustrations

[C.K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

🍂🍁🍂💀Skeleton for Dinner was a cute read. I liked the illustrations. These witches are making a stew in their cauldron. They want to invite their friends for dinner. Skeleton happens upon them and mistakenly thinks that they want to eat him for dinner. He runs off to warn the others. Everything gets cleared up in the end. This is a cute little story for the spooky season. 👻 🪦🍂🍁🍂

[Kalynne]

Date: 10.24.25
Attendees:64
Theme: Ghosts and Skeletons
Introduction and announcements: Clap Everybody and Say Hello

Book one: Little Ghost Who Lost Her Boo! By Elaine Bickell

Song/rhyme/game one: We Are Scary Ghosts with scarves

Book two: If You Ever Meet a Skeleton by Rebecca Evans

Song/rhyme/game two: Monster Party by Simple Songs and Sesame Street

Book three: Skeleton for Dinner by Margery Cuyler

Song/ rhyme/ game three: I Need Bones!

Activity: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lepzIt5rd8o/hq...

[Lou Hughes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook/read along with @ storytimechildrenstories on Youtube.

Full disclaimer: my only grapple with the book is with the text, and fonts used. I know there was the book series about a witch (I think it was Winnie the Witch) that I used to love, but for some reason, the fonts just really clash with the images to me. that is the main reason why I've docked two stars- I find it very jarring.

The story itself is great for kids. In some places the art looks cute, but the inconsistency is very confusing too. The story itself- best part of the book. Light hearted humour- comedic for little ones, and personally I found the story funny. I think kids will enjoy the tale.

[Cynthia Gutzwiller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an adorable story with a big witch and little witch. The illustrations are spooky and scary.
Big witch and little witch decided to make a stew and it turned out wonderfully. They decided to invite their friends. They put their names on a list and attached it to a tree. Skeleton read the sign wrong and thought the witches wanted to eat him and his friends. What did he do? Where did he go? You get to do the best thing listen/read to find out the answers and look at all the wonderful pictures. Yipee!!!
I borrowed this book on a Kindle Unlimited website and so can you.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book. The story is a bit humorous and the illustrations are great. I found the skeleton to be cute. The whole story is based on the confusion of how the witches wrote the "invite" for their friends to come to dinner.

SPOILERS AHEAD:

The skeleton thinks the witches will eat Skeleton FOR dinner and runs to tell the two other friends. They all hide until the crow explains to them that the witches want to invite them for dinner and not to eat them. So the three friends gather some poison ivy to bring for the witches and they all went to the dinner party, including the crow.

[Desirée Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

As one of our young readers slipped this into the book return slot, he recommended it to the Bishops Corner Book Drop Monster because he thought the monster would enjoy the story as much as he did. Book Drop Monster thanked the boy and I proceeded to read the book. It is a very cute story about how Skeleton and a couple friends find out the witches, whom they considered friends, want to 'have them for dinner'.

[Emmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isn't the English language amazing? I'm not sure if you can make the same pun in other languages, but the phrase "having someone for dinner" can mean both inviting them over for dinner or eating them for dinner. And Skeleton learns this lesson the hard way when he's convinced that this friends are planning on eating him (when in reality, they just want to share a delicious stew!). But, this misunderstanding is quickly cleared up in a very cute book with great illustrations.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big Witch and Little Witch make a delicious stew, and decide to share it with their friends Ghoul, Ghost, and Skeleton. After Skeleton reads the note nailed to a tree, he thinks that the witches want to eat him. This miscommunication sets off a chain reaction, and takes a while to rectify its true message.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

An amusing tale of confusion as three witches want to invite their friends for dinner. A terrible mix up occurs when Skeleton thinks they want to eat their friends. He spreads this tale to Ghost and Ghoul, and they flee. It takes the Crow to figure out what happened and solve the problems. Amusing and fun to introduce not jumping to conclusions.

[Brittany · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not impressed. The skeleton, ghost, and zombie-guy think that the witches want to eat them for dinner. However, they just want to INVITE them to dinner. They figure it out, go to dinner...the end. BORING!

[Alyssa Mayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Halloween-style story is told in a very cutesy way, but it's the illustrations that truly makes it wonderful. I fell in love (and decided to pursue art) because of Will Terry's work on this book.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was super cute, and the illustrations are great, but it didn't quite land because I think it could be funnier. Maybe it's just how I read it. Body language would help a lot. Good for lots of voices, preschool to K 4-7.

[Darinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big Witch and Little Witch have been cooking, and they want their friends over for dinner. Skeleton misunderstands and runs off, taking Ghost and Ghoul with him.

A cute and spooky picture book perfect for Halloween. Love the illustrations.

[Sue Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A case of misunderstanding .....where what you read and understand is not what was written. A classic story with a great lesson that kids should learn. Well - adults should learn too for that matter.

Great illustrations!!

[Joanne Zienty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute tale -- reminds me of A Turkey for Thanksgiving

[Addy Wooldridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be a great book to read around the time of October to get kids excited for Halloween. The pictures in the book were visually appealing and had a cute style. I overall enjoyed this book quite well.

[Mackenzie McIntosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skeleton for Dinner is an interesting book for younger children. It highlights how important perspective is while also telling a good story. As the book progresses, it gets more interesting and would be a good choice of book for story time or a quick story to read to pass the time.

[Courtney Stout · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute Halloween book. It was clever, and I enjoyed the illustrations.

[Peacegal · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the same storyline that was used to much greater effect in books such as A TURKEY FOR THANKSGIVING. That said, the illustrations are cute and a little bit creepy.

[Egallagher2016gmail.Com · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not scary enough.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations are absolutely fabulous and the story is cute. My kids really liked this book and I love reading it with them.