Trick or Treat, Little Critter

Little Critter

by Gina Mayer, Mercery Mayer

Little Critter describes how he and his family select their Halloween costumes, buy and decorate a pumpkin, and go trick or treating.

Genres: Halloween, Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday, Fiction, Animals, Family

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. For the German author of novels, youth books and children's books, see Gina Mayer

Reviews

[Stepheny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryder still asks for "Me Too!" every night before bed, but this is the one he's been handing me the last couple of weeks. As it comes closer and closer to Halloween, it's funny to me that he somehow managed to pick this one out at the right time.

He points out the pumpkins and calls them Halloweens. He asks "what's that" at all the things he doesn't know. He asks why Little Critter is crying and I have to explain that he's upset he lost the candy out of his bag. He points to the scary monster masks and does his best monster roar- which I must admit is pretty fierce.

I dread the day that Ryder stops asking me to read him bedtime stories. So for now, I'll just keep reading the same 5 books to him 2-5x a night until that day comes.

[Shannon Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a good book for young readers who are just learning to read. I highly recommend this book to parents of young children. As a child, I enjoyed this book because of how the author portrayed Little Critter's relationship with his sister and because of how the illustrations matched the storyline.

[W.A. Ashes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a little biased on this one because this was one of my favorite series when I was a kid, but I loved revisiting this Halloween tale with my niece and nephew. It's a cute, short book, that talks about all the different things that take place around Halloween.

[Roberta Decenzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another cute little childhood memory book. It also comes with stickers and cards for a quick match game which is always fun.

[David Burgos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brought me to tears. A very inspiring, thoughtful work.

[Theresa Landgren]

Trick or Treat Little Critter is about Halloween at Little Critter's house! They go costume shopping and he gets to have a party in his classroom with his friends. He even got to eat an orange cupcake! Then Little Critter gets to go trick or treating with his sister and dad, but his bag broke. He cried but his sister shared her candy with him. All in all it was a good Halloween for Little Critter.

This is a picture book because it tells the story of Little Critter's Halloween with words and with pictures. I would teach this to my students on Halloween and to show how much fun it can be to trick or treating could be.

[Josiah · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a nice, solid story, written about Halloween in the unmistakable Mercer Mayer writing style. I enjoyed reading about Little Critter's Halloween night, out trick-or-treating with his sister. I would likely give one and a half stars to this book.

[Aliyah Lombard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Halloween is coming up and little critter is so excited!

As Halloween approaches it is time for critter to pick out a Halloween costume. After trying out a cowboy costume, a green monster costume, and a pirate costume he decides to be a pirate!
The next day, the Halloween festivities continue. The family takes a hayride to pick out a pumpkin. After finding the perfect pumpkin, dad goes to carve it and the little sister does not want her to pumpkin to get “hurt”. So, dad draws a face on it instead. Critter did not like the drawing and wanted it to be a true jack-o-lantern. When Halloween day finally comes, he gets to participate in a party at school! They had paper bag masks, snacks, punch, and a real jack-o-lantern. At night, dad takes them trick or treating. Near the end of the night, critter notices a hole in the bottom of his candy bag. His puppy found his candy! He begins to cry and immediately his sister says she will share her candy with him. They get home, divide their candy, and enjoy.

I love this book! I would use this book in the classroom for two reasons. One, it is a fun read aloud book during Halloween time. Student would this it was funny. Also, it teaches about sharing. I enjoy that lesson about sharing is subtle, but still there.

[Irish Blue Eyes · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Critter family visits a Halloween store to gather supplies, selecting costumes such as a clown, pirate, and princess, and they also choose a pumpkin for carving. Dad sketches a humorous face on the selected pumpkin to create a Jack-O'-Lantern. On Halloween night, they go trick-or-treating, encountering spooky sights and friends in costumes, but Little Critter's candy bag develops a significant hole, resulting in the loss of some treats. Little Sister generously shares her candy with him, and they relish their collection at home, underscoring the theme of family togetherness. The narrative highlights quintessential childhood experiences: the thrill of holidays, familial bonding, decision-making, problem-solving, and the significance of sharing and kindness. It encapsulates the universal delight and minor setbacks of Halloween, rendering it relatable for young readers. It illustrates Little Critter's initial disappointment and his sister's empathy, emphasizing simple emotional development. The story employs straightforward language and charming illustrations to tackle themes of growing up in a manner that is easily understandable.

[Georgie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Little Critter books were in my elementary classrooms growing up. I remember liking one or two. We borrowed this from The Little Free Library but it was not our favorite. Little Critter was mean to his sister the whole book even though she was kind to him and even shared her Halloween candy when he lost his. It also used the word “stupid” or “dumb” which is not a huge deal, but not something I necessarily want my kids repeating. Wouldn’t read again. Better holiday books with better themes.

[Melissa Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've always enjoyed Little Critter books! This was a cute Halloween themed story. It was more of a step-by-step informational story about how the Critter family celebrates Halloween and not a lot happened in the end. But, my students loved trying to find the little mouse on each page!

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mercer Mayer fans will add this to the shelf of favorites. Nothing surprising here, but young readers who are still learning about this night of treats and surprises, will want to read it again and again.

The mouse makes his usual appearances, but no grasshopper, no spider.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Copyright 1993, this is a Golden Book. Mercer Mayer has help from Gina Mayer.
We always loved Little Critter in my house. Very cute story & illustrations. Little Critter's family has a lot of fun getting ready for Halloween. Dad takes them trick or treating for safety.

[Ben Telling · Rating 4 out of 5]

A halloween classic kids love to this day. The little critter series is iconic for a reason. Kids will love the spooky style art and the critter siblings interactions and the lesson at the end. Great book to bring home to your little critter.

[Lynnette · Rating 2 out of 5]

definitely slightly different style of illustrations from the older books. still fine. I am not a fan of these books but my toddler loves them. it did teach him the word dumb as well. otherwise it's fine

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can I not give a Little Critter book five stars? I just loved this one!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the atmospheric illustrations, but thought the story was simply written and forgettable.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't go wrong with Little Critter.

[Carolyn]

Sam asked to reread frequently. Loved the part where he lost his candy and the sister shared with him.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know why I pick up Halloween books. I don't like skeletons or scary masks.

[Michele Sandrine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intéressant mais langage à motif

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy Fiction
Pre-k to Kindergarten
This was a very simple and cute book. Perfect for the fall time to read to young ones. It was engaging and the illustrations were very good.

[Dina · Rating 5 out of 5]

So excited about the poster, stickers, and matching cards.

[Naomi towns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Halloween is so fun! I loved when Little Critter tried on his cowboy costume. My favorite part is when they went to the pumpkin patch and found a pumpkin.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little Critter and his family celebrate Halloween.

[Makayla Fightmaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for Halloween time!!!!

[TFE]

Will enjoy more after 2 yrs. Listened as Gaga read with sister.

[Shawna Ridgley · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was just ok.

[Brie Tennyson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember reading the Little Critter books when I was younger all the time. They are so simple yet entertaining for young children to read. This book is definitely great for very young children, probably up to 5 years old. It is a great read-aloud or also a beginner book. This book is a fun story about Halloween, that has colorful illustrations that will keep children easily attentive to the book being read.