Arthur's Halloween by Marc Brown

In this classic children’s story, a young aardvark named Arthur navigates the anxieties and social pressures of Halloween. While his peers and sister seem fearless, Arthur is initially paralyzed by fear regarding spooky decorations, unsettling sensory games, and local urban legends. The narrative reaches a climax when his sister, DW, wanders into a supposedly haunted house owned by a rumored witch. Bravely entering to rescue her, Arthur discovers the owner is actually a kind elderly woman who is simply lonely and overwhelmed by property maintenance. By facing his fears, Arthur earns the admiration of his friends and learns that appearances can be incredibly deceiving.