If you have a 5-to-8-year-old at home who is just starting to read chapter books, there's a good chance The Princess in Black is already on your shelf. This Halloween, the series returns with its twelfth installment, The Princess in Black and the Trick-or-Treating Trouble, by Shannon Hale and illustrator LeUyen Pham. It's a perfect seasonal pick for the kid who wants a little spooky fun without the nightmares.
Where the Princess in Black came from
The origin story is one every mom will appreciate. Hale says the series was inspired by her then-four-year-old daughter, Maggie, who pointed at the colors on her skirt and announced that pink and purple were girl colors, but black was not. When Hale explained that girls can wear black too, Maggie countered that princesses don't wear black.
Hale realized her daughter had picked up a quiet message: if princesses can't do something, maybe she can't either. So she and her husband, Dean, wrote about a princess who wears black and does plenty of other things too. The result blends the sparkly, princess-loving side of many young readers with the action-adventure hero they also want to be. Hale says she's honored that so many kids count a Princess in Black book as the first chapter book they ever read.
Why this series works for early readers
- It's a great first chapter book step. The series is aimed at ages 5 to 8, making it a confidence-builder for kids moving beyond picture books.
- It's for every kid. Boys love these books as much as girls do.
- The illustrations are a joy. LeUyen Pham's funny, whimsical art keeps reluctant readers turning pages.
- It's timely. This twelfth book is all about Halloween and trick-or-treating, so it fits right into October read-alouds.
A few of Shannon Hale's favorite things
In a Q&A with Cool Mom Picks, Hale shared some picks and family moments worth stealing:
- A book she gifts again and again: Brené Brown's The Gifts of Imperfection.
- Favorite writing tool: a manual typewriter, for the joy of watching each letter appear on the page.
- Favorite toddler book: Sandra Boynton's Blue Hat, Green Hat, which she says nails toddler humor.
- The book she read most to her kids: Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are. Her oldest is named Max.
The family idea we're borrowing: PowerPoint parties
My favorite takeaway has nothing to do with books. Hale's family has started hosting PowerPoint parties. Everyone makes a presentation on any topic they like, then the whole family gathers to present. There are no rules: teach something you love, explore something you're curious about, or go completely silly. Her kids' past titles include "Every Mainline Mario Game" and "Inedible Things That I Kind of Want to Eat (but they get progressively worse)." It's free, it's screen time with a purpose, and it's a wonderful window into what your kids are thinking about.
Our take
Whether you're building a Halloween book basket, looking for a stocking stuffer, or hoping to nudge a new reader toward independence, The Princess in Black and the Trick-or-Treating Trouble is an easy yes. Pair it with a pumpkin-carving night and a black cape, and you've got a ready-made October tradition.
Source: Cool Mom Picks' Q&A with Shannon Hale. We may earn a small commission on purchases made through links.
Discussion
Discussion (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to start the discussion!
Comments are now closed for this article.