Books like The Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Old Tree
By Stan Berenstain
For the kid who dares their siblings to go first into every dark or spooky spot, this one turns that exact feeling into a read-aloud adventure. Spooky-but-silly, exploratory, a little shivery in a fun way.
Warned to fear the Big Bad Mouse, the Gruffalo's curious child sneaks into the deep dark wood to hunt him down — only to spot the mouse and a mysterious giant shadow looming close behind.
As a howl echoes through the forest, every animal races home and bolts the door — because Wolf's coming, and his glowing eyes appear right at the window.
A big-eared kitten who imagines himself a swashbuckling Chihuahua hero leads his doggy pals into the Under Mundo, where he must solve the Sphinx's riddle to enter a mummy's tomb.
A father and his four children set off to catch a bear, crossing grass, a river, mud, a forest, and a snowstorm before a narrow cave forces a sudden, breathless retreat.
A forgetful young possum wanders into the swamp despite his mama's warnings, and must play dead again and again to survive whatever creature might be the legendary loup-garou.
A mischievous rabbit sneaks into Mr. McGregor's vegetable garden against his mother's warning, and once he's spotted, must find his way home safely while being chased.
A narwhal accidentally pops his best friend's bubble with his tusk-tooth, then turns Jelly's disappointment into a joyful search for every kind of bubble the ocean has to offer.
A clever mouse walks through the deep dark wood, escaping hungry predators by inventing a scary monster called the gruffalo — then discovers the gruffalo is real.
Sent to his room for a time-out, a big-eared Siamese kitten imagines himself as a swashbuckling Chihuahua hero who must chase a menacing Bobble-ito out of his friends' doghouse.
When barbecue smells drift over Mousopolis's first cook-off, they awaken Dogzilla — a monstrous, horribly stinky mutt — and the terrified mice must find a way to save their city.
A boy finds a great treasure — a pair of lensless motorcycle goggles — but bigger kids want them too, so he and his friend must outsmart the neighborhood bullies to keep their prize.
A small shaggy dog sets off for a walk through town, picking up one furry friend after another, until the whole gang runs smack into Scarface Claw, the toughest cat around, and must race home.
