Zen Ghosts
By Jon J. Muth
The Story
On Halloween night, a wise panda named Stillwater gathers three trick-or-treating friends for one more surprise: a mysterious visitor who tells them a strange, spine-tingling story.
Why It's Special
For families who love Halloween's costumes and candy but also crave the quiet, thoughtful moment after the trick-or-treating is done, this is the story that slows the night down.
- Big idea: Even spooky, mysterious things can hold calm and wonder if you sit still long enough to listen.
- Vibes: Autumn evening, hushed and mysterious, with a gentle Zen stillness underneath the Halloween thrill.
Perfect For Kids Who
- enjoy gentle spooky stories
- like to listen to stories within stories
- respond well to calm, reflective moments after high-energy fun
- are drawn to Halloween traditions like trick-or-treating
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & setting: What did Karl, Addy, and Michael do before they sat down to hear Stillwater's story?
- Imagination: Who do you think the mysterious visitor was who told the spine-tingling story?
- Feelings & empathy: How did it feel to listen to a spooky story on a dark Halloween night?
- Real-life connection: What is your favorite part about trick-or-treating with your friends?
- Reflection: Why do you think Stillwater wanted to share one more surprise after the candy was collected?
