Halloween
It’s no surprise to me how many people we’ve met that tell us that Halloween is their favorite holiday, and/or the favorite of a person they love with Down syndrome.
There’s a lot of theatrics to Halloween. You can be whatever you want and people are like…cool!
In my experience, Halloween is the most generous of holidays. Although it can be secular in who may choose to participate, it’s not secular on who is welcomed and included. In fact, everyone is included no matter how you look or speak. Anyone who asks shall receive.
Grown ups may have their own parties, but also celebrate with and really for, the children. All children. And allow their own children to speak to neighbors, to run in pairs or groups, to receive…
It’s really quite amazing.
Honestly, Halloween is everything Christmas preaches, but isn’t. Halloween is about acceptance and giving to strangers.
The Macabre
I’ve never been into scary movies or manufactured haunted houses. Those are cool for those who are, we’re more the hot cider and fire-pit kind of folk.
So, Marcus’ first Halloween book is a pretty feel-good story for children. Now, I know I’ve been teasing about his next book(s) for years, and they really are in the pipeline. However, they are grittier and darker and, well…they aren’t all “children’s stories.” Two may be, but after that, not so much.
Marcus has a solid grasp of the classic horror running through his imagination, too. (I’m talking the original Dracula, Frankenstein, The Invisible Man…)
Of the challenges facing us with books two and on (5 or six are in the works) deciding publishing format is the current hold up on Two, because all other animation, marketing, and funding decisions follow that. Then there’s three and four which both have some pretty good early drafts…
Oh Halloween, look what you started! Well…we’ve still got a lot of Book One to sell, so tell your friends.
And hold on to your candy bag, let’s see what treats we have in store next.
For now: here’s a trailer to book one -> Black Day: The Monster Rock Band.
Halloween will never be the same…
Originally posted in October 2019 – 2020 looks a lot different, but how I feel about this is still true. 🙂
You know, I’ve questioned why I love Halloween so much – even more than Christmas (and have so many more decorations), and I think you nailed it with this sentence “Halloween is everything Christmas preaches, but isn’t. Halloween is about acceptance and giving to strangers.” Because yes, yes it is. It’s the entire neighborhood on the street and at their doors admiring kids and adults and sharing and giving. I recently asked my husband why I love Halloween even more than Christmas, and neither of us had an answer. But you – you have the answer. Also I cannot WAIT for Marcus’ next books – and Tucker is 10 now, so… soon. I mean he watches the Avengers and Star Wars so I think he may be able to handle some vampires (and if not, I probably can). xo and HAPPY soon Halloween!
Beautiful! My favorite lines: “Honestly, Halloween is everything Christmas preaches, but isn’t. Halloween is about acceptance and giving to strangers.” YES! Brady enjoys the fun of running up to neighbor’s homes just to have them open the door and acknowledge his presence. Full-sized chocolate bars are certain welcome but he really isn’t into very much candy. Carving pumpkins is a delightful sensory experience when I allow him to put his hands into the goo and pull out seeds for roasting. I look forward to Marcus’s next books!!