Tricotine, the Spider Who Knitted
That evening, in Pumpkin Hollow, the air was fresher than usual: winter was really on its way. And on Lantern Square, everyone was worried, because during the night something had appeared: an enormous silvery web, stretched between the two tallest trees, shimmering in the fog. Réglisse panics at once (a big web means a big spider, and he doesn't like spiders one bit, with all those legs!). The whole Hollow wants to burn the web, tear it down, get rid of it as fast as possible. «That spider is going to catch us all!» But Zélie, looking more closely, notices that the web isn't shaped like a trap: it has patterns, neat regular designs… it looks more like knitting! And indeed, the one who wove it is no wicked spider, but Tricotine, a spider who knits. Because Tricotine, with her eight nimble legs, sets no traps at all: she knits lovely scarves and cosy jumpers to protect the Hollow from the cold that's coming. What everyone took for a threat was in fact a gift. It only takes going to talk to her, instead of chasing her away, to discover the gentlest and most helpful of neighbours. This story teaches your child not to judge by appearances, and not to be afraid of what is simply different. It shows, without lecturing, that we are often wrong about others when we are frightened, and that a little curiosity and kindness are always better than mistrust. A lovely message about tolerance. And when the whole Hollow, warmed by Tricotine's knitwear, finally comes to thank her, the great silvery web holds nothing frightening anymore: it shimmers like a beautiful lace in the night. The story then settles gently down, snug under a brand-new scarf, right in time to close your eyes. Zélie doesn't follow the crowd's fear that wants to destroy everything: she looks, she thinks, she goes to see up close before judging. Teaching a little one to understand before being afraid is the whole spirit of Tilibou bedtime stories. And on Lantern Square, the silver threads sparkle softly, while Réglisse tries on, ever so casually, his new little jumper. A gentle, screen-free Halloween story for toddlers from age 3, lovely to share at bedtime, in the car, or at nap time. As always with Tilibou, the ending stays soft and quiet, without music, so your child can drift toward sleep without anyone being startled awake. All the Tilibou bedtime stories at