While out picking beans an old woman finds a hairy toe – and soon wishes she hadn't – especially when its owner comes looking for it. I stopped reading after the middle of the story and allowed the children to think what might happen next and I did a shared WB writing assuming if they were the author how they would end that story? That night really fearful, dreadful things happen, she hears to a strange voice crying, 'Where is my hairy toe? While out picking beans an old woman finds a hairy toe – and soon wishes she hadn’t – especially when its owner comes looking for it… Humorously illustrated by Daniel Postgate this spine-tickling traditional tale is perfect for halloween and shouts to be read out loud! By submitting a review you grant us the right to display and use it in any way; please read our General Legal Notices for full details.

I think that it can be a scary book -if read in the right way -which is rare for a picture book so they love the feeling of being scared (but knowing they are safe at the same time -if that makes sense! It's "A Traditional American Tale", boasts the flyleaf, as if that excuses the poverty of the plot, and it's not even set in Afghanistan. Join our community to get personalised book suggestions, extracts straight to your inbox, 10% off RRPs, and to change children’s lives. Also love a classic picture book and folktale with an old woman protagonist (despite her meeting an implied gruesome end). This story has stuck with me for so many years, and I'm sure will stay with me for many years to come.I suppose I can say that the initial premise is of a little old lady going out to pick vegetables and stumbling across a big hairy orange toe. The story is about an old women, one day she finds a hairy toe while she was picking beans and takes to her home. plus, I let her imagination run wild as we try to figure out how the creature lost it's Hairy Toe in the first place!

I've even taken it in to my son's class and read it to them - joyously received with squeals of delight and shock at the end - I do get a bit carried away on the last page. We snuggle into bed together and skooch under the covers as the creature gets closer and closer to identifying itself. She then decides to take it home with her (what possesses her to do this I do not know), and then night falls. This story will be a perfect book if one looks to introduce horror or scary story to reception or year one children. The first time I read it to a class they sit in silence, hanging onto every word with such suspense.

Humorously illustrated by Daniel Postgate this spine-tickling traditional tale is perfect for halloween and shouts to be read out loud! I have read this to the Infant school children I teach for years and years- it is always a favourite with them! If you are under 16, please obtain your parent/guardian’s permission before submitting or ask your parent/guardian to submit on your behalf. I don't know why but there's something about this story that's just wonderfully creepy and beautiful. Rereading this little gem again today and I can still say that this is a scary book for younger readers.