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A Nationwide Literacy Program

A treat for the mind as well as the sweet tooth!

Register Today!Register Today!

Over 1000 books given away on Halloween 2024!

You can help us give away even more books!

Halloween Read and Treat® is part of regular Halloween trick-or-treating – in addition to giving out candy, the mission is to give out free books. Each trick-or-treater walks away from a participating location with a treat and a book – that’s why we say Halloween Read and Treat® is a treat for the mind as well as the sweet tooth!

Key to a child’s lifelong well-being is their ability to read. While research has found that having books of their own choosing is essential to their learning to read, a distressing number of children do not have a single book of their own. Needy families may not have the means to provide books for their children, but the neediest kids are out trick-or-treating on Halloween.

Halloween Read and Treat® was started in 2012 in Warren, PA by Ruby Wiles, founder of Free Books for Kids Town. Every year since, Ruby’s home has become a destination and must-stop for area children on Halloween.

You can make your home, business, school, church, or any place a Halloween Read and Treat location too! It will be the kids’ favorite stop every year!

 

Register for Halloween Read and Treat®
$25

Register Today!

Reasons To Sign Up with Halloween Read and Treat®

  • Receive guidelines for a successful Halloween Read and Treat event

  • Get publicity materials for your location and for social media

  • Become known as “the book location” on Halloween

  • Have access to available discounted book titles & starter kits – first come, first served

  • Receive print-and-cut book box IDs and bookmarks

  • Be listed on Halloween Read and Treat Participating Locations Map (can opt out)

  • Help spread the love of reading

  • Give the children in your community a brighter future

FAQs

What is Halloween Read and Treat®?

Giving out free books on Halloween: Letting each trick-or-treater choose a free book, in addition to getting their regular Halloween treat.

Why is Halloween Read and Treat® important?

Key to a child’s lifelong well-being is their ability to read. While research has found that having books of their own choosing is essential to their learning to read, a distressing number of children do not have a single book of their own. Needy families may not have the means to provide books for their children, but the neediest kids are out trick-or-treating on Halloween.

When is Halloween Read and Treat®?

  • takes place on Halloween along with regular trick or treating,

  • can be created as its own special event, 

  • or set up as a table or display at any Halloween-themed event.

Where is Halloween Read and Treat®?

It could be in a church, a library, a fire or police department, a school, the trunk of your car at an outdoor event, your home – wherever! Anyone, anywhere can participate. Watch the places on our location map (at the bottom of this page) grow! 

How do I get the books?

When you sign up to participate, we will give you support and suggestions for book procurement.

How do I participate?

Click Register Today! button, fill out the form, pay your registration fee,  and we’ll send you more information on participating in Halloween Read and Treat. It’s easy, and we’re here to help!

Why is there a small fee to participate?

There is a $25 administrative fee that comes along with registering as a participant in Halloween Read and Treat. The fee helps us offset the costs of operating the website and running the program. In return, you’ll get our full support to help you have a fun event.

Testimonials

Here is what our participants say about the magic of the Halloween Read and Treat experience:

Wow! This is great! We had 52 children and 52 adults stop by our library for our Read and Treat...We look forward to Read and Treat next year!

Children's LibrarianWarren Public Library

[We] were truly surprised by the level of enthusiasm from parents and kids alike. Our best count is that we had 48 trick-or-treaters and gave out 66 books!

Pat & Chuck BriningerJamestown NY

Yay! The book lady!! You’re my favorite house every year!

Trick-or-Treater

We moved and have to come back here every year just for this house so she can get her book.

Trick-or-TreaterParent

In addition to seeing the joy on the faces of the kids when they choose a book of their own, we are rewarded by working together on a meaningful project and increasing our visibility in our community.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown, NY

BBOOOOOKKKKSSSS!!!! I love books!!

Trick-or-Treater

Halloween Read and Treat® Locations

Contact

Phone Number: 814-779-2625
Email Address: HalloweenReadAndTreat@gmail.com

Sign Up To Give Away Books on Halloween

Halloween Lovers

Trunk-or-Treats

Libraries

Schools

Churches

Public Services

(Police/Fire)

Ways to Get Involved

Participate

Sign up to be a Halloween Read and Treat® participating location for Halloween this year.

Donate

Contribute money to a worthy cause by donating to Halloween Read and Treat®. Your money will be used to purchase books to give away to children and for program costs.

Give Books

We accept new and slightly used book donations throughout the year. Please contact us to make arrangements.