Jimmy Fallon is ready for spooky season!
Jimmy, who recently celebrated his 10th year as the host of The Tonight Show, has written a new children's picture book about Halloween. The story is inspired by his own childhood and traditions with his daughters, Winnie Rose, 11, and Frances Cole, 9, whom he shares with his wife (and family Halloween costumer), Nancy Juvonen.
The book, 5 More Sleeps 'Til Halloween, debuts on September 3 and is available for pre-order now. "I'm giving the book out at my house for Halloween this year," Jimmy, who has previously published a similarly themed bestselling Christmas book, tells Good Housekeeping. "But the kids told me that I also had to give out candy too if I don't want to get egged!"
In the funny and heartwarming story, whimsically illustrated by Rich Deas, a boy counts down to Halloween, getting more hyped with each passing night. "I have to give my kids credit for introducing me to the term 'sleeps,'" the comedian says. "One day, they asked, 'How many more sleeps until we go see Grandma?' I had never heard that term and wrote it down!"
Check out more about what Jimmy had to say about his latest book and his favorite Halloween memories.
On what Halloween was like as a kid
I have always liked Halloween. Our neighbor, Mrs. Buono, used to have bags set aside with full-size candy bars for me and my sister. She was the best — I even included a dedication to her in the book. Her generosity was especially meaningful because we didn’t have much money growing up. I never had a really good costume; in fact, I’d dress up as an old man sometimes. One year, I got a plastic Batman costume, but it ripped and the rubber band off the mask came off! The boy in the story wears a simple ghost costume.
On what Halloween is like now
My wife makes the kids’ costumes. She once crafted a beautiful butterfly costume for our daughter, and then our daughter changed her mind a few days before Halloween and wanted to be a dragonfly! There's a last-minute switch in the book too. As of now, my older daughter plans to trick or treat with her friends, and they’re dressing up as princesses. My younger daughter thought it would be funny to be Dora the Explorer since it's a dated costume. But, of course, that's subject to change.
On his favorite Halloween candy
I’ll eat everything, but Smarties are the most nostalgic for me because I received them during school trick-or-treat.
On why he wrote a Halloween book
Halloween is a holiday that everyone can celebrate, and I want to make it even more memorable for families. I want to be part of their Halloween traditions, just like watching It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown was a tradition for me. If I hear the Peanuts music and voices now, it brings me back to my childhood.
On keeping the story not-too-spooky
My daughters like cutesy scary — not uber scary just yet, so that's the tone of the book. But I love to watch scary movies so much that I created a next-level haunted maze (aptly named Jimmy Fallon’s Tonightmares) in New York City's Rockefeller Center. It opens on September 20 and it's so frightening. There are even scarecrows that hop out of a secret door and chase you!
On when you can start tricking out the house
It's too early in August or September. The decorations go up in October!
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Karen Cicero
The former senior editor at Parents who started the brand’s awards programs, Karen Cicero is a seasoned journalist who specializes in travel, book, lifestyle and food coverage.Cicero has visited almost every state with her family (look out Wyoming, she’s coming for you next!) She recently presented at several travel industry conferences, including PRSA and the Mid-Atlantic Tourism Alliance. A mom who goes overboard for all the holidays, Cicero lives in the Christmas city itself: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
