Make A Monster

In keeping with the season, visit the GOLDEN BOOKS website and their FUN FACTORY where you can create your own monster online. You can even print a picture of your creature. And while you're at it, why not write a story to go along with the picture.

Or try CAT AT BAT, as a tribute to the World Series which starts today in St. Louis. Go Cards!

Spooky Stories Wanted

A call is out from APPLESEEDS magazine for ghost stories written by kids. Below are the details for submitting your own spooky story. One of my first published short stories was a ghost story written for a local newspaper contest. What fun it was to see my words in the newspaper for everyone to read.

So here is your chance. Scare the socks off some eager readers with your spook-tacular story!

BOO! AppleSeeds is looking for ghost stories from its readers! The October issue is all about ghosts and other spooky things, and readers probably have some great ideas for a story of their own. Have your child send us their ghost story (along with illustrations to go with it) by Nov. 15, 2011. Handwritten stories are okay, but make sure that we can read them. The winner will receive a copy of Robert San Souci's Dare to Be Scared. Send them to AppleSeeds Ghost Stories Contest, 30 Grove St., Peterborough, NH 03458.

Halloween Reading Fun

Check out LITERATURE FOR KIDS this month where you'll find my Halloween story, "Spider In Disguise."

After you've read the story, why not make a spider of your very own. The easy instructions can be found on my website in the GAMES & CRAFTS section. Then try to create a Halloween mask for your spider, like the one spider had in the story. Or you may want to design your very own mask for spider's trick-or-treat adventures.

Happy Halloween!