Personalised non scary Halloween book for child: your child and the Lantern Path

What happens in your child and the Lantern Path

1. Your child lights a small lantern at the front gate.
2. Paper decorations and warm windows lead the way along the street.
3. Your child meets neighbours wearing bright, friendly costumes.
4. A neighbour points out the last glowing lantern on the path.
5. Your child returns home and places the lantern by the window.

How the first page could read

On Halloween evening, your child lifts a little lantern at the front gate. Along the street, paper bats sway gently and windows glow amber. A neighbour waves from a dragon costume, another wears bright patchwork wings, and your child wonders who they will meet next on the lantern path.

Your child’s name, look and little details replace these words, and the whole story is written for their age.

Why this story works

Children aged two to five often enjoy the signs of Halloween—the lanterns, leaves, doorsteps and dressing up—while preferring a calm, familiar setting. This story keeps your child close to home, giving each page one clear, friendly moment to notice: a glowing window, a neighbour’s costume or a kind hello. There is a gentle purpose, too: carrying the lantern along the decorated street until it is time to return home. Made from a photo of your child, it gives parents a way to introduce seasonal customs through a character their child can recognise, with language suited to their age.

Reading it together

• Read it before Halloween to talk about the decorations and costumes your child may see locally.
• Ask your child to spot the lantern, a costume and a window light on each spread.
• After reading, let your child choose a calm costume or draw their own lantern path.

Suggested art style: Storybook watercolour

Soft watercolour keeps the evening lights warm and the decorated street gentle rather than spooky. A sidekick idea: a little paper-bat lantern charm. You can pick any of the four styles and change the details in the form.