Halloween reading excites children's imagination

Reading all year round is important, but Halloween is a good way to crack the ice and then continue until the holidays, a U.S. physician suggests. Dr. Matt Broom, an assistant professor of pediatrics at Saint Louis University, says along with other Halloween activities, reading is part of their Halloween family tradition. "I think reading opens up many opportunities for building imagination," Broom, a Saint Louis University Care pediatrician, said in a statement. "Halloween is the start and the reading extends into Christmas. It's great when your kids bring books to you and want to read a story." Some of Broom and his family's favorite books are "Big Pumpkin," by Erica Silverman; "Halloween House," by Lee Bennett Hopkins and "Trick or Treat," by The Berenstain Bears. When young minds are lost in fantasies of ghostlands and pumpkins, they imagine a different world, Broom said. They also start to wonder about the depth of these stories, their characters and how much of the story is actually real. Such books develop a child's thinking and lead to many curious questions, providing parents a golden opportunity to discuss important concepts with them, Broom added. "Reading can be the entry point and broadened out into so many other areas like writing or art," said Broom. "This is a fun time of the year to sit down with your kids, review interesting stories, fictional characters, and just enjoy the holiday season with your family."