The Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Old Tree

A parent might reach for this book when their child is feeling apprehensive about the unknown, like a dark room, a new place, or a spooky shadow. It gently introduces the idea that it's okay to be curious and a little bit scared at the same time. The story follows three little bears who bravely decide to explore a spooky old tree, facing their fears together. With its simple, rhyming text and clever die-cut pages that build suspense, it’s a perfect first “scary” story for preschoolers. It validates a child's feelings of fear while showing them that bravery is about trying something new and that the comfort of home is always there to return to.