Author: A. J. Locascio

Discover the whimsical magic behind Halloween in this timeless new illustrated fable for the whole family!

Who changes the leaves? Summons the autumn winds? Wakes ghosts and spirits to haunt houses and chill the air? Why, Spoops, of course! They hatch from the smallest gourds in your local pumpkin patch at the start of every fall, then tend to your town to ensure everything is just right for Halloween.

In this story, young Holly Hollowell loves Halloween more than anything, but her dentist parents are totally against any event that promotes tooth-rotting sweets. While other kids trick-or-treat, Holly watches sadly from her window...until the Spoops arrive to turn things around! With their magical help, Holly can finally show her parents the true spirit of Halloween: not the candy, but the joy of expressing yourself, unleashing your imagination, and letting your spooky side soar!

Presented in rhyming verse that recalls Dr. Seuss and "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," along with nostalgic illustrations in black, white, and orange, Spoops is an instantly timeless classic that places Halloween right alongside other beloved holidays. It's a clever trick and a lovable treat that the whole family will treasure.

Publisher: Penguin Random House
Published: 09/16/2025
Pages: 72
Binding Type: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781603095617

About the Author
AJ LoCascio is an American actor, writer, and creator known for his roles as Gambit in X-Men '97, Prince Lotor in Voltron: Legendary Defender, Gizmo in Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai, Han Solo in various Star Wars projects, and Marty McFly in Back to the Future: The Game. AJ's lifelong obsession with Halloween led him to wonder what exactly Halloween Spirit, or Spirits, might look like...so he began hatching his own: the Spoops! What started as little clay sculptures soon grew to countless new forms, as thousands of little Spoops flew off to haunt the homes of fellow Halloween obsessives and collectors across the globe! Now, at last, their story can be told.

As a child, Laurie A. Conley fell in love with picture book illustrations. As a professional artist, she has been happily illustrating books for over 30 years, with her work appearing in middle grade novels and in many educational books and materials for students. Laurie also creates gently spooky art featuring cute ghosts, cemeteries, and haunted houses. Currently, she lives in Maryland in her family's longtime home.