Palacio, R.J. (2026). The Haunted Playground. Random House.
*Activity sheets at the end of this post!
The king of ghosts, Rex Magnificus, has cast a spell, so that all ghosts can enjoy the playground and Halloween.
Now being somewhat corporeal, for just this one night, they dress in costumes left by children and use the swings, go around in the carousel and down the slide, enjoying the simple pleasure that life once allowed.
Unexpectedly, two human children overhear the revelry and come down to the playground. They want to play, too! King Magnificus says that they can’t! It’s for ghosts only! Can’t they see the sign?
But they don’t pay him any mind, no matter how scary he tries to be. They play and frolic with the ghosts and have a grand time this Halloween night.
The king just can’t understand it! Why aren’t they afraid? But in the end, it doesn’t matter.
He joins in the fun, too. He needed a break as well, just like the ghosts he was setting this special night up for!
But when sunrise is imminent and it is time to go, the children become sad and want to come with the ghosts and the king is truly touched.
But he tells them they cannot follow, but to look for them all next Halloween.
This was a really sweet book, all wrapped up in Halloween ghost spookiness and I am here for it. The rhymes and meter were fantastic. The illustrations gave it just the right feel. Just when you think it’s supposed to be scary, it isn’t but it is heartwarming and delightful.
Recommended Ages: 3-7
Activity Sheets:
Original Source: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/780312/the-haunted-playground-by-r-j-palacio-illustrated-by-brett-helquist/