Knock Three Times! Knock! Knock! Knock! Who's There? by Philippe Goossens

"WHO'S THERE?"

What does a guy have to do to get some sleep around here? After all, what else should a bear be doing on a cold winter night?

But the well-tucked in Bear can't even begin to hibernate, not with all these interlopers at the door.

The first one cries BOOOOOOOO and begs to be let in out of the cold, but Bear knows the door banger has to be a ghost and keeps his portal closed.

But that doesn't end the interruptions to his shuteye. An even louder banging is followed by a growly voice, declaring he's HUNGRY, demanding food service. Bear figures that this must be an ogre, and makes a bee line back to his comforting bed.

The next knocking announces a ravening wolf--requiring feeding fast!

Bear is having none of that, but before he can bond with his blue quilt once more, another bunch of knocks announces a cackling voice threatening a spell to turn him into a slimy slug! UGH! Bear says "NO WAY!" to witches! But there's no rest for the weary as another trio of knocks wrecks his rest.

"GO AWAY! I DON'T OPEN DOORS TO STRANGERS!" Bear roars.

"I'M NOT A STRANGER! IT'S ME, ARCHIBALD!"

Bear recognizes his unimposing friend Archie and with relief invites him in.... followed by trick-or-treating party goers costumed as (you guessed it!) a ghost, an ogre, a werewolf, and a witch.  Bear finds that he can put off hibernation for a festive Halloween celebration , and it's ... party time!

But there is a not-very-surprising surprise ending and a costumed Halloween party in store in Philippe Goosens' Knock! Knock! Knock! Who's There? (North South, 2013), a comfortingly conventional setting for the classic danger-at-the-door story, an non-threatening introduction to those scary stories of ghosts, witches, and beasties that go bump in the night that are the stuff of the standard Halloween tale. For tots who like their nighttime tales cozy but with a hint of the spooky-scary, this story is a nicely illustrated starting spot.