Is the ghost costume scary for very young kids?

Not really. The book shows Baby putting the sheet on, so kids see it's just a costume. It's designed to demystify the scary parts of Halloween.

Does this book mention monsters or witches?

It focuses mostly on the 'ghost' costume Baby chooses and the general trick-or-treating experience. It stays very grounded in a toddler's reality.

What is the reading level?

It's a board book with very few words per page. It's meant to be read aloud to babies and toddlers, or for early preschoolers to 'read' via the pictures.

Is it better for a specific age within the 0-4 range?

It hits hardest for 2 and 3-year-olds who are just starting to understand what Halloween is and might be feeling a bit of trepidation about it.

Boo! – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Boo!

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2015

92%

WISE Score

A bald baby navigates the high stakes of pumpkin carving and costume changes before conquering the spooky vibes of trick-or-treating.

Boo!

book

2015

92%

WISE Score

A bald baby navigates the high stakes of pumpkin carving and costume changes before conquering the spooky vibes of trick-or-treating.

Jump to

Where to Read

Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased. Screenwise is a Bookshop.org affiliate and an Amazon Associate, so if you buy a book through one of our links, we may earn a commission. Bookshop.org purchases also support independent bookstores.

Screenwise Verdict

If you're looking for a Halloween book that isn't just a list of nouns, this is it. Patricelli has a knack for capturing the exact internal monologue of a toddler. It's funny, it's short, and it treats the 'spooky' parts of the holiday with the right amount of respect before pivoting to the fun stuff.

It's a seasonal essential. Most Halloween books for this age are either too saccharine or weirdly dark; this one hits the sweet spot of being honest about how overwhelming a giant orange holiday can be for a tiny person.

Age Fit

This is squarely for the 0-4 crowd. It's simple enough for a baby to look at the bright colors, but the 'overcoming fear' theme is perfect for a 3-year-old approaching their first big Halloween.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It captures the sweet, slightly chaotic energy of a toddler's first Halloween. It models overcoming mild fear with the help of supportive parents and, of course, the promise of candy.

Imaginative

Baby's process of trying on different costume ideas and deciding on a pumpkin face encourages simple creative expression and decision-making.

Safe

100

It's a board book. There are no ads, no trackers, and the only 'scary' thing is a very round, very cute baby in a sheet.

Enriching

Excellent for social-emotional learning. It helps toddlers name the feeling of being 'a bit scared' and shows them a path through it to a positive outcome.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Leslie Patricelli's signature humor lands perfectly for the under-4 crowd who see themselves in the expressive, bald protagonist.
The emotional arc takes a kid from 'a little bit scared' to candy-fueled delight, making it a great primer for a first real Halloween.
Visual cues like the different pumpkin faces help with early shape and emotion recognition in a way that feels like play.
It's a sturdy board book that can survive being chewed on or dragged around during the October hype.

⚠

What to Watch For

The mild suspense of the first few trick-or-treat houses might actually feel heavy for an ultra-sensitive 18-month-old, but the resolution is almost immediate.

Conversation Starters

"What face should we give our pumpkin this year?"
"Why was Baby a little bit scared at the start of the story?"
"What is your favorite costume that Baby tried on?"
"What do you say when someone gives you a treat?"

Deep Dive

The Patricelli Magic

There is a reason Leslie Patricelli’s books—like Potty and No No Yes Yes—are staples in almost every preschool classroom. She manages to convey a massive amount of personality and emotion through a bald baby with a single curl of hair. In Boo!, she tackles the sensory overload of Halloween.

For a toddler, the transition from 'normal night' to 'everyone is wearing a mask and knocking on doors' is a huge cognitive leap. This book acts as a low-stakes rehearsal. It walks through the prep work (the pumpkin, the costume) which gives the child a sense of agency. By the time Baby gets to the trick-or-treating part, the reader has already seen the 'scary' ghost costume is just a sheet Baby put on earlier.

Why it works

The book doesn't dismiss the fear. It acknowledges that the dark and the masks are a little intimidating. But by focusing on the rewards—the community interaction and the treats—it builds a positive association with the holiday. It’s a great example of using a story to build background knowledge for a real-world event. If your kid is currently in a 'clinging to your leg' phase, reading this for two weeks leading up to October 31st is a pro move.

What Parents Ask

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic

Related Guides

17 Best Books for Tween Boys (and other reluctant readers)

This post shares our 17 best books for tween boys, as well as tips for encouraging reluctant readers and encouragement that reading easy books is still valuable.

Christopher Walken: The Parent’s Cheat Sheet

From the fun of King Louie to the intensity of Dune, here is the real talk on which Walken roles are kid-ready and which are strictly for adults.

Best Heist Movies for Families: 13 Picks From Age 4 to 15

The Wrong Trousers at five, The Bad Guys at seven, Ocean's Eleven at thirteen. What the violence and language look like in each one, and the three that get recommended for family night and shouldn't.

Writing about Boo!? Put this WISE score on your site