What do you think?
Rate this book
How to Spook a Ghost
Halloween is about getting together with friends and family, choosing costumes, and trick-or-treating! Sometimes spooky, always delicious!
But would you be brave enough to investigate strange noises? If you are, you may just meet a friendly ghost who only wants to be part of the fun! Be kind and include them in your trick-or-treating adventure and you may make a new friend! They'll be sure to enjoy the thrill of going out on Halloween night.
So, grab some supplies—scissors, fabric, markers, and a partner—and get ready to make a costume for the biggest candy event of the year.
Sue Fliess’s bouncy read-aloud rhyming text and Simona Sanfilippo’s energetic, whimsical illustrations will bring joy to young readers as they cheer on the kids and their new ghost friend. Also included are guides for teachers and parents about how to engage children in costume-making or an easy Halloween puppet craft, while learning about the history of Halloween, pumpkin carving, and the value of friendship and inclusion on this fun day of gathering with friends to dress up and collect treats.
But would you be brave enough to investigate strange noises? If you are, you may just meet a friendly ghost who only wants to be part of the fun! Be kind and include them in your trick-or-treating adventure and you may make a new friend! They'll be sure to enjoy the thrill of going out on Halloween night.
So, grab some supplies—scissors, fabric, markers, and a partner—and get ready to make a costume for the biggest candy event of the year.
Sue Fliess’s bouncy read-aloud rhyming text and Simona Sanfilippo’s energetic, whimsical illustrations will bring joy to young readers as they cheer on the kids and their new ghost friend. Also included are guides for teachers and parents about how to engage children in costume-making or an easy Halloween puppet craft, while learning about the history of Halloween, pumpkin carving, and the value of friendship and inclusion on this fun day of gathering with friends to dress up and collect treats.
34 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2023
1 person is currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Sue Fliess
76 books146 followersSue Fliess ("fleece") is the bestselling author of Robots, Robots Everywhere!, I'm a Ballerina! and How to Trap a Leprechaun, and more than 35 other children's books including Sadie Sprocket Builds a Rocket, Mrs. Claus Takes the Reins, Mary Had a Little Lab, Beatrice Bly's Rules for Spies, and many Little Golden Books. Her books have sold over 850,000 copies worldwide. Her background is in copywriting and PR/marketing, and her essays have appeared in O Magazine, HuffPo, Writer's Digest, and more. Fliess has also written for Walt Disney.
Her books have received honors from the SCBWI, have been used in school curricula, museum educational programs, and have even been translated into multiple languages. The Bug Book was chosen for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library three years in a row and The Hug Book was selected to the Imagination Library Australia.
She's a member of SCBWI, Children's Book Guild of DC, and the Author's Guild. She does book signings, school visits, and speaking engagements.
When she's not writing, she is walking her two silly English Labradors or busy with her two teen boys. She really misses traveling. Sue lives in Northern VA with her family. Visit her at www.suefliess.com.
Her books have received honors from the SCBWI, have been used in school curricula, museum educational programs, and have even been translated into multiple languages. The Bug Book was chosen for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library three years in a row and The Hug Book was selected to the Imagination Library Australia.
She's a member of SCBWI, Children's Book Guild of DC, and the Author's Guild. She does book signings, school visits, and speaking engagements.
When she's not writing, she is walking her two silly English Labradors or busy with her two teen boys. She really misses traveling. Sue lives in Northern VA with her family. Visit her at www.suefliess.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 14, 2024
A delightful Halloween read about costumes, ghosts, and more! BOO!
My first Spooktober read, and well, it wasn’t even Spooktober yet. Haha. But I just couldn’t resist, I had to read something spooky! And I came across this one and knew it was a perfect one as an appetiser.
I absolutely LOVE the adorable title and the cover! It definitely made me curious to see what our motley crew of costumed kids would do when encountering a ghost. I also love the little details on the cover, like the words on the graves.
I love that it starts with Halloween, trick or treat, ah and that makes me wish so much more that we had this in my country. It is slowly happening, but only in small bits. I would have absolutely love Halloween and Trick or Treating when I was a kid. Dressing up! AH! We see how a group of 4 kids are ready to change into their spooky and fun costumes, one is a pumpkin, one is a pirate, another is a vampire, and then there is one who we don’t know yet, but if we go by the cover it will be a ghost! It was just so cute and I love that this group of friends did this one together. But what happens when during the dress up they hear CLANGS, CREAKS, BANGS, and SQUEAKS coming from upstairs! OH my! They decide to create a plan, and the first step is disguises, so get those costumes on! And we get some instructions for one particular spooky ghostly outfit and I loved that, of course it is the simplest outfit to make, but still a lot of fun!
What happens next was just SO cute! Because our quartet of friends, all dressed up, go upstairs and tell us what to do when you hear spooky things! But then something adorable happens and I was just going aww! That was just such a fun ending for this book. This book was 100% spoopy!
I loved the little DIY at the end. More on the ghost and how to make one, but also how to make a cute handpuppet to bring along with you. Extra points for that~
The art was just the cutest, I love the details, the colours, and the little ghost. It was so fun.
All in all, I am happy that this one was my first Spooktober read, even if I read it in September, haha. I would recommend it to all looking for a cute but spooky Halloween read!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
My first Spooktober read, and well, it wasn’t even Spooktober yet. Haha. But I just couldn’t resist, I had to read something spooky! And I came across this one and knew it was a perfect one as an appetiser.
I absolutely LOVE the adorable title and the cover! It definitely made me curious to see what our motley crew of costumed kids would do when encountering a ghost. I also love the little details on the cover, like the words on the graves.
I love that it starts with Halloween, trick or treat, ah and that makes me wish so much more that we had this in my country. It is slowly happening, but only in small bits. I would have absolutely love Halloween and Trick or Treating when I was a kid. Dressing up! AH! We see how a group of 4 kids are ready to change into their spooky and fun costumes, one is a pumpkin, one is a pirate, another is a vampire, and then there is one who we don’t know yet, but if we go by the cover it will be a ghost! It was just so cute and I love that this group of friends did this one together. But what happens when during the dress up they hear CLANGS, CREAKS, BANGS, and SQUEAKS coming from upstairs! OH my! They decide to create a plan, and the first step is disguises, so get those costumes on! And we get some instructions for one particular spooky ghostly outfit and I loved that, of course it is the simplest outfit to make, but still a lot of fun!
What happens next was just SO cute! Because our quartet of friends, all dressed up, go upstairs and tell us what to do when you hear spooky things! But then something adorable happens and I was just going aww! That was just such a fun ending for this book. This book was 100% spoopy!
I loved the little DIY at the end. More on the ghost and how to make one, but also how to make a cute handpuppet to bring along with you. Extra points for that~
The art was just the cutest, I love the details, the colours, and the little ghost. It was so fun.
All in all, I am happy that this one was my first Spooktober read, even if I read it in September, haha. I would recommend it to all looking for a cute but spooky Halloween read!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
October 26, 2023
Cute illustrations and rhyming story, followed by a brief history of the holiday, explanations on some traditions, and instructions on making a ghost costume.
September 3, 2023
I’m still pondering how I feel about this one… while the story part wasn’t my favorite… the back matter of the history of Halloween and the fun activity idea were fun to read and plan for.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy!
Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy!
October 11, 2024
This was okay, not bad but not great. I didn’t like the illustrations at all. The kids just looked weird, squat and plump and on every single page, literally, they were looking neither up or down or to the side, so there was all this white space in their eyes with a small black pupil either at the bottom, side, or top of their eyes. It was so weird! Their eyes are also way far apart so they looked even stranger. Did not enjoy looking at the illustrations at all.
There was also a page where you had to turn the book vertical to read, as the picture went up and down across both pages. I didn’t know how I felt about that, not really favorable though.
I did enjoy the rhyming and thought it was well done. I like rhyming in a book, it makes it more pleasant and interesting to read.
The kids were deciding what to be for Halloween. I didn’t like that the writing turned to instructions on how to make a ghost costume, like cutting a hole for your head or leaving it over your head, cutting off the excess sheet around your ankles. I’m like what happened to the story?
They heard noises coming from upstairs, and decided to scare it back. It turned out to be a ghost who wanted to go trick or treating. They went out and the story ended right there, suddenly.
I liked the bit of history at the end. How Celts, people in Great Britain, Ireland, and France considered Oct 31 to be the last day of the year. Every household put out the fire to thank the sun for their harvest. Priests called Druids lit big bonfires in the hills and each house would take embers from one of the bonfires to start a new fire. They believed there new fires would protect them from the h G pets of the people who died the year before. They thought the ghosts came back with elves, fairies, and scary creatures. Some Celts wore costumes and masks to help scare away spirits or so the evil spirits wouldn’t know who they were.
When Christianity became the main religion, Christian leaders named Nov 1 as All Saints’ Day or All Hallows’ Day, to remember and honor people who died. The night before was called All Hallows’ Eve, and that became Halloween. The Christians introduced them to new beliefs, but many still believed that ghosts and spirits wandered around on Oct 31.
In parts of England on Nov 2, people went from house to house asking for treats, specifically currant buns called soul-cakes. That was the treat part. And sometimes these groups of people caused mischief or played tricks and pranks so they wore masks to disguise themselves.
Instead of using regular lanterns when they walked around, many carved faces on large turnips and potatoes, and stuck candles inside. A story from Ireland tells of a ghost called Stingy Jack who carried a carved turnip lantern. Hence carving pumpkins and putting candles inside and calling them Jack-o-lanterns.
Halloween came to America when thousands of Irish people fled to escape the potato famine.
Then came these really long instructions on making a ghost costume or puppet. It felt really draggy after getting all this history and then having two full pages of instructions on making a ghost costume or ghosts on lollipops. It was like enough already.
There was also a page where you had to turn the book vertical to read, as the picture went up and down across both pages. I didn’t know how I felt about that, not really favorable though.
I did enjoy the rhyming and thought it was well done. I like rhyming in a book, it makes it more pleasant and interesting to read.
The kids were deciding what to be for Halloween. I didn’t like that the writing turned to instructions on how to make a ghost costume, like cutting a hole for your head or leaving it over your head, cutting off the excess sheet around your ankles. I’m like what happened to the story?
They heard noises coming from upstairs, and decided to scare it back. It turned out to be a ghost who wanted to go trick or treating. They went out and the story ended right there, suddenly.
I liked the bit of history at the end. How Celts, people in Great Britain, Ireland, and France considered Oct 31 to be the last day of the year. Every household put out the fire to thank the sun for their harvest. Priests called Druids lit big bonfires in the hills and each house would take embers from one of the bonfires to start a new fire. They believed there new fires would protect them from the h G pets of the people who died the year before. They thought the ghosts came back with elves, fairies, and scary creatures. Some Celts wore costumes and masks to help scare away spirits or so the evil spirits wouldn’t know who they were.
When Christianity became the main religion, Christian leaders named Nov 1 as All Saints’ Day or All Hallows’ Day, to remember and honor people who died. The night before was called All Hallows’ Eve, and that became Halloween. The Christians introduced them to new beliefs, but many still believed that ghosts and spirits wandered around on Oct 31.
In parts of England on Nov 2, people went from house to house asking for treats, specifically currant buns called soul-cakes. That was the treat part. And sometimes these groups of people caused mischief or played tricks and pranks so they wore masks to disguise themselves.
Instead of using regular lanterns when they walked around, many carved faces on large turnips and potatoes, and stuck candles inside. A story from Ireland tells of a ghost called Stingy Jack who carried a carved turnip lantern. Hence carving pumpkins and putting candles inside and calling them Jack-o-lanterns.
Halloween came to America when thousands of Irish people fled to escape the potato famine.
Then came these really long instructions on making a ghost costume or puppet. It felt really draggy after getting all this history and then having two full pages of instructions on making a ghost costume or ghosts on lollipops. It was like enough already.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2024
This was cute. I enjoyed the rhymes, the story was going good, and then it felt like a How To on ghost costumes. Using fabric or a sheet, cutting eyeholes, leaving it ankle length. It veered away from the story to me and was unnecessary.
I like that it included the history of Halloween. To the Celt’s Oct 31 was the last day of the year. They put out their fires they used all year. Druids lit a fire and took embers from one of the bonfires to light a new fire. They thought it would protect them from the ghosts of people who passed that year. they believed those ghosts came back wjhh to elves, fairies and other creatures. Some wore costumes or masks to scare the spirits away or so they wouldn’t be recognized.
Christians later named Nov 1 as All Saints’ Day, or All Hallows’ Eve, which later became Halloween. Even during Christianity, many believed ghosts and spirits roamed on Oct 31.
In England on Nov 2nd people went house to house asking for treats, specifically currant buns called soul-cakes. People would play tricks and pranks, and often wore masks to hide their identities.
Back then they used turnips and potatoes and put candles inside. Ireland has a story of Stingy Jack who had a turnip lantern. They eventually came to be called Jack-o-lanterns.
Halloween came to America during the 1840’s when people from Ireland came to the US during the potato famine. They brought a lot of traditions with them, like Halloween.
I like that it included the history of Halloween. To the Celt’s Oct 31 was the last day of the year. They put out their fires they used all year. Druids lit a fire and took embers from one of the bonfires to light a new fire. They thought it would protect them from the ghosts of people who passed that year. they believed those ghosts came back wjhh to elves, fairies and other creatures. Some wore costumes or masks to scare the spirits away or so they wouldn’t be recognized.
Christians later named Nov 1 as All Saints’ Day, or All Hallows’ Eve, which later became Halloween. Even during Christianity, many believed ghosts and spirits roamed on Oct 31.
In England on Nov 2nd people went house to house asking for treats, specifically currant buns called soul-cakes. People would play tricks and pranks, and often wore masks to hide their identities.
Back then they used turnips and potatoes and put candles inside. Ireland has a story of Stingy Jack who had a turnip lantern. They eventually came to be called Jack-o-lanterns.
Halloween came to America during the 1840’s when people from Ireland came to the US during the potato famine. They brought a lot of traditions with them, like Halloween.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2023
Blurb: How to Spook a Ghost, by Sue Fliess, Simona Sanflippo, and Sky Pony Press is the newest book in the How to series. This fun-rhyming book follows a group of trick-or-treating kids who hear a strange noise and set out to investigate it. To their surprise, they meet a ghost who has one wish: to Trick or Treat with them!
Heather Macht says: Fliess’s adorable rhymes paired with Sanflippo’s whimsical illustrations will take the readers on a journey hunting for ghosts and even making their own costume. As a bonus, facts about the origins of Halloween are included which makes this a fun and informative read for the season.
Lynne Marie says: This festive story celebrates Halloween with rolling, rollicking rhyme and slightly ghoulish, but boo-tiful illustrations. While initially afraid of the kooky spooky noises, the children soon learn that perhaps they shouldn’t judge a spook by its cover! I particularly enjoyed the added *treat* – instructions for *becoming* a ghost are woven into the narrative. Boo!
Reviewed by seasonsofkidlit.com
Heather Macht says: Fliess’s adorable rhymes paired with Sanflippo’s whimsical illustrations will take the readers on a journey hunting for ghosts and even making their own costume. As a bonus, facts about the origins of Halloween are included which makes this a fun and informative read for the season.
Lynne Marie says: This festive story celebrates Halloween with rolling, rollicking rhyme and slightly ghoulish, but boo-tiful illustrations. While initially afraid of the kooky spooky noises, the children soon learn that perhaps they shouldn’t judge a spook by its cover! I particularly enjoyed the added *treat* – instructions for *becoming* a ghost are woven into the narrative. Boo!
Reviewed by seasonsofkidlit.com
July 12, 2025
The kids are preparing for Halloween to start the story. They offer step by step instructions to make a ghost costume for one of them. To their surprise, they meet a real ghost who wants to go along and Trick or Treat with them. Sweet message about friendship and learning about those who are different from you. Informative text on Halloween and costumes at the end.
September 4, 2023
This book is a little clunky to read aloud and the story isn't super cohesive. BUT, the illustrations are a lot of fun and the backwater about Halloween is very cool. I'm sure this will be a popular holiday book.
Read
August 16, 2023Although the rhyming scheme is a bit clunky, there is good back matter about the history of Halloween.
October 17, 2023
a cute preschool and up book that really explains what costumes have to do with Halloween.
December 15, 2023
Every child needs to be read or read this book, if, they love Halloween!!
September 4, 2024
Loved all the cute illustrations and Halloween traditions added at the end of the book. Great pick to read to the littles during the fall time.
October 6, 2024
Extensive backmatter with information about the history of Halloween!
July 20, 2025
Better than I expected with some fun activity suggestions.
January 13, 2024
I picked this up after an author talk recommended it.
This book had cute illustrations and a soothing rhythm. I liked the history of Halloween and All Hallow's Eve written for the readers to learn about.
I would recommend this book because it isn't too scary but still has the spirit of Halloween included.
This book had cute illustrations and a soothing rhythm. I liked the history of Halloween and All Hallow's Eve written for the readers to learn about.
I would recommend this book because it isn't too scary but still has the spirit of Halloween included.
September 15, 2024
Fliess series about magical characters is delightful and fun, and this book was no exception.
Fliess’ How To series about magical characters is delightful and amusing, and this book was no exception.
A group of children are getting ready for their favorite day of the year, Halloween, As they decide on costumes, and gather up their candy containers in preparation for Trick or Treating, they begin to hear strange noises. All together, the children choose to investigate and end up meeting a real live ghost! The ghost isn’t trying to scare anyone, it simply wants to partake of all the fun the children are having. It wants to make some new friends, and join the kids on their evening adventures.
As with all the books in this series, Fleiss’ whimsical rhyming text capture readers attention well. These books are funny, and heartfelt, often depicting acts of kindness and friendship. Simona Sanfilippo’s vibrant active illustrations bring the book to life. You can experience the children’s creativity as they make their costumes, and their excitement to partake in Trick or Treating with their new ghostly friend. Children will love identifying things in the text that they are familiar with. This book is so enjoyable to read for a Story Time or just to your little one.
Fliess’ How To series about magical characters is delightful and amusing, and this book was no exception.
A group of children are getting ready for their favorite day of the year, Halloween, As they decide on costumes, and gather up their candy containers in preparation for Trick or Treating, they begin to hear strange noises. All together, the children choose to investigate and end up meeting a real live ghost! The ghost isn’t trying to scare anyone, it simply wants to partake of all the fun the children are having. It wants to make some new friends, and join the kids on their evening adventures.
As with all the books in this series, Fleiss’ whimsical rhyming text capture readers attention well. These books are funny, and heartfelt, often depicting acts of kindness and friendship. Simona Sanfilippo’s vibrant active illustrations bring the book to life. You can experience the children’s creativity as they make their costumes, and their excitement to partake in Trick or Treating with their new ghostly friend. Children will love identifying things in the text that they are familiar with. This book is so enjoyable to read for a Story Time or just to your little one.
August 13, 2025
Fun rhyming book about Halloween with excellent back matter explaining how Halloween came to be.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews