Gus and Grandpa and the Halloween Costume

Gus wants a flashy store-bought Halloween costume, but his parents prefer a DIY approach. When their ideas fall flat, Gus visits Grandpa. Together, they dig through Grandpa's attic, using imagination and old household items to create a unique costume that eventually wins Gus over and makes him feel proud. SENSITIVE TOPICS: This is a secular, realistic story. It deals with mild social anxiety and the fear of being 'different' or 'not enough' in a school setting. The resolution is realistic and hopeful, focusing on internal satisfaction rather than social dominance. EMOTIONAL ARC: The story begins with frustration and disappointment. It maintains a gentle, slightly melancholy tone as Gus struggles with his parents' lack of creativity, then builds into a sense of collaboration and eventual triumph. IDEAL READER: A first or second grader who feels 'uncool' because they don't have the same toys or clothes as their peers, and who has a special relationship with an older relative. PARENT TRIGGER: A child crying or sulking because they cannot have a specific, expensive brand-name item. PARENT PREP: No specific previewing is required. It can be read cold, though parents might want to be ready to discuss their own childhood 'homemade' experiences. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger children (6) will focus on the fun of the costume and the 'treasure hunt' in the attic. Older children (8) will better grasp the social stakes of the costume parade and the emotional nuance of Gus's initial embarrassment. DIFFERENTIATOR: Unlike many holiday books that focus on magic, this is a grounded, character-driven story about the creative process and the bridge between generations.