Halloween · The Failed Costume That Saves the Party · story about a costume fail · gentle Halloween · bedtime story

That evening, in Pumpkin Hollow, it was THE big night: the Great Costume Parade! Once a year, all the villagers dress up and parade across Lantern Square, and the finest costume of the night is chosen. And this year, Zélie wanted to win, very, very badly. Her idea: to conjure up, with one wave of her wand, a magnificent Star-Princess costume, with a shining gown, a crown of moonlight and a rainbow train.

The only trouble is that Zélie's spells always do something other than planned… But tonight, she's sure of it, it's going to work! She raises her hazel wand high, concentrates with all her might, and casts: «Abracada… PRINCESS!» Whoops. Instead of a shining princess, there she is, turned into a big round pumpkin. Oh no! Her lovely costume is a complete flop.

At first, Zélie feels like crying with shame. But when she waddles onto the Square, all round and clumsy, something unexpected happens: everyone bursts out laughing, a joyful, warm laugh. Her funny pumpkin sets off a wild, happy mood, and the party, which was threatening to be a bit stiff, becomes the merriest of all Halloween nights.

This story shows your child that a flop is not a catastrophe, and that you can laugh at yourself without feeling worthless. It reminds us that the joy you bring to others is worth far more than a first prize, and that being funny and true is sometimes an even better way to win. A lovely message about imperfection and good humour.

And when the whole Hollow congratulates Zélie for having, without meaning to, saved the party and made everyone laugh, she is proud as can be of her funny pumpkin. The night ends in joy and peals of laughter, and the story settles gently down, heart light, right in time to close your eyes.

No one laughs unkindly at Zélie, and Réglisse comforts her even before she starts to laugh: they show her that making a mistake is nothing to worry about. Helping a little one turn a blunder into shared laughter rather than shame is the whole spirit of Tilibou bedtime stories. And beneath the lanterns, the pumpkins glow softly in the gentle fog.

A gentle, screen-free Halloween story for toddlers from age 3, lovely at bedtime, at nap time, or on the road. As always with Tilibou, the ending stays soft and quiet, without music, so your little one can settle down calmly. 🎃

👉 All the Tilibou bedtime stories at tilibou.com

💡 Tip: to listen to one world back-to-back, choose its season (Noisette, Léo, Cassie, Marin, Tom the Pirate, or the Christmas, Halloween and School seasons).

✉️ Contact: contact@tilibou.fr

⭐ Enjoying Tilibou? Leave 5 stars and a review in your podcast app. It helps other families find our bedtime stories.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.