The Halloween Tree
“What is Halloween? How did it start? Where? Why? What for?”
The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury is one of my all-time favorite books. A group of boys is whisked across the horizon to the Undiscovered Country in pursuit of their pal Pipkin. They tour the dark history of Halloween and their guide is none other than Carapace Clavicle Moundshroud, a menacing, but ultimately friendly figure of Death who… well, read the book. If you like Halloween without a safety switch, read the book. If you remember what it was like to jump over neighbors’ fences, face covered in greasepaint, a bag filled with candy, read the book.
Now… in 1992 an animated version of The Halloween Tree appeared. If Bradbury’s book is a glass of cherry Koolaid, whoever mixed the cartoon used about half the sugar. Standing on its own, it’s a pretty good story about Halloween, but it doesn’t have quite the edge that this story deserves.
Even so, a Halloween cartoon is a Halloween cartoon. Enjoy!
Hallowen Tree – Part 1
Halloween Tree – Part 2
Halloween Tree – Part 3
Halloween Tree – Part 4
Halloween Tree – Part 5
Halloween Tree – Part 6
Halloween Tree – Part 7