Franklin's Halloween

Written by
Paulette Bourgeois

Illustrated by
Brenda Clark

Kids Can Press

F
RANKLIN
could count by twos and tie his shoes. He knew the days of the week, the months of the year and the holidays in every season. Today was October 31. It was Halloween! Franklin could hardly wait for tonight's costume party. Everyone would be there.

Franklin and his friends had talked about the party for weeks. There would be games, prizes and even a parade. Best of all, there would be a haunted house.

“I think there'll be bats and spiders,” said Franklin.

“And skeletons,” added Beaver.

Rabbit shivered. “My sister says she saw a real ghost in there last year.”

“That's silly, Rabbit,” said Beaver. “There are no
real
ghosts.”

All of Franklin's friends were excited because of the costume contest.

Franklin was not sure what he was going to wear. He'd tried on everything in his dress-up trunk, but nothing seemed quite right.

Beaver and Goose were keeping their costumes secret.

“Try to find us at the party,” they giggled.

Fox was also mysterious about what he was going to be.

“Look for something gruesome,” he said.

That gave Franklin an idea. He would be something creepy.

It took Franklin more than an hour to make his costume.

As soon as it was done, he sneaked up behind his father and tapped him on the shoulder.

“Trick or treat,” said Franklin.

“Ahhhh!” gasped his father. “Who are you?”

In his deepest, spookiest voice, Franklin answered, “It's me. Franklinstein!”

On the way to town, Franklin tried to guess who was inside each costume.

“At least I don't have to worry about finding Bear,” said Franklin. “He's always a ghost.”

By the time Franklin and his parents arrived, the party had started.

Franklin spotted a ghost at the apple-bobbing and hurried towards him. “Hello, Bear,” Franklin said.

“Whooo!” answered the ghost.