There Was an Old Lady Who Said Trick or Treat! (Scholastic Reader, Level 1)
Scholastic Reader, Level 1 Series
illustrations by
What’s inside...
Lucille Colandro’s Level-1 Scholastic Reader puts a Halloween spin on her perennial Old Lady series. In cumulative, rhyming text perfect for beginning readers, the comical old lady heads out on Halloween night and blurts, “Trick or treat!” Instead of swallowing objects as she does in the picture-book editions, she collects a parade of spooky friends—a ghost, a black cat, a skeleton, and more—who all squeeze into her bulging treat bag. The rollicking adventure ends with a neighborhood party where the oddball crew pops out to give the children a delightful scare and share treats together. Playful repetition, predictable patterns, and Jared Lee’s energetic cartoons make the book an inviting read-alone or read-aloud choice for the earliest readers.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
The Old Lady
Discussion points
Which Halloween character was your favorite and why?
How did the Old Lady turn something scary into something funny?
What do you think she might collect next year?
Tip: Role play these questions
Act out each sound word together to reinforce comprehension.
Create your own cumulative rhyme using household objects.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Laughter reduces fear.
Explanation: Scary figures behave playfully and end up as party guests.
Real-World Application: Use humor when a child feels nervous about the dark.
Example Lesson: Sharing brings joy.
Explanation: The Old Lady and her friends share treats with everyone.
Real-World Application: Encourage kids to share toys and snacks with peers.
Example Lesson: Expect the unexpected.
Explanation: Readers predict who will hop into the bag next.
Real-World Application: Build flexible thinking when plans change suddenly.