Give a Treat that Won't Spoil: All Hallow's Read

Poster courtesy: IntrovertedWife.com

This Halloween, why not participate in a new movement to give treats that won't spoil or rot teeth, yet still give trick-or-treaters a scare that will stay with them forever.
All Hallows Read!


The idea sprung from author Neil Gaiman (yes, THAT Neil Gaiman), the very author responsible for The Sandman graphic novels and the book Coraline (recently an animated feature film). 

My point:  the idea is born from a talented and twisted brain.  In fact you can read EXACTLY how the thought occurred to him HERE on his blog in a post entitled "Modest Proposal that Doesn't Actually Involve Eating Anyone."  (Ha!)

It's a simple as this (pulled from Neil's blog):

"... I propose that, on Hallowe'en or during the week of Hallowe'en, we give each other scary books. Give children scary books they'll like and can handle. Give adults scary books they'll enjoy."

That's it.  Brilliant and simple.
From Neil's post came the website AllHallowsRead.com and the tradition was off and running. 

My only advice:  exercise some caution.  Have the stack of reading near the door, by the candy and select age-appropriate stuff.  Stephen King will go to any teens or maybe even tweens... comics (like The Simpsons Halloween issues) will go to kids.

I know I, personally, have some old horror paperbacks sitting in a box, like a 1st printing of Stephen King's The Shining that isn't going for much on eBay but would be a shame to just give to Goodwill. 
Well, now some lucky teen is going to discover this terrifying tome if they knock on the right door October 31st.  
  
I'll even take it one step further:  audio books. 

I have a friend who swears by The Mist audio book as one of the things that scared the pants off him. 

So leaf through that bookshelf, or pick up some 10 cent copies at a garage sale and set them next to the bowl full of Hershey's mix and Fun Size Butterfingers this Halloween eve.
Choose carefully, and award the right kids with a treat they'll relish for the rest of their lives:  the imagination that a book unlocks.