Trick-or-treating

is all about maximizing profits. At least, it was to me when I was a kid. Each Halloween, at the first sign of dusk, my brothers and would I costume up, grab empty pillowcases, and don our roller blades before heading out. The wheels were key: it meant we could minimize travel time between suburban homes, leading to more sugar-laden loot. And because my mom is awesome, each of us had amazing costumes—oftentimes handmade ones. She helped me become Shredder from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Sting from professional wrestling (face makeup and all), and the grim reaper—complete with a wooden scythe courtesy of my woodworker father. This went on well into my teen years (no shame). And each year, we collected as many compliments on our costumes as we did candy.

So while your kids are sorting their hard-won treats this year, why not treat them to a spooky listen—or three? I’ve handpicked some great family-friendly choices below, including a brand-new one from the legendary R.L. Stine (!) who I recently had the chance to interview (!!). Spoiler alert: he’s still an awesome writer, and one of the funniest people I’ve ever met.

Happy Halloween!

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