Cover Reveal of The Princess in Black and the Trick-or-Treating Trouble by Shannon and Dean Hale and LeUyen Pham, presented by The Children’s Book Review.
Want an exclusive first look at the next must-have Halloween read before anyone else?
We’re thrilled to reveal the cover of The Princess in Black and the Trick-or-Treating Trouble by Shannon and Dean Hale—the latest edition in the beloved illustrated chapter book series, hitting shelves July 7, 2026!
This spooky new adventure brings monster-battling fun to life through LeUyen Pham‘s vibrant illustrations, featuring playful costumes, mischievous monsters, and glittering magic. With kids already dressing up as these beloved characters every Halloween, this one’s sure to offer extra costume inspiration!
Don’t miss the exclusive cover reveal below, plus hear from Shannon, Dean, and LeUyen about the Halloween adventure coming your way!
Cover Reveal
Author Interview
Can you believe the next new release is already NUMBER TWELVE in the series? Can you talk a little bit about how PIB has evolved since the first title was released?
Shannon Hale (SH): It’s stupendous! The four-year-old who inspired the series when she told me, “Mama, princesses don’t wear black” just graduated from high school. It’s thrilling to watch her grow into herself while simultaneously writing and expanding the Princess in Black world she first inspired.
LeUyen Pham (LP): I always hope to be a part of something magical when I sign on for a series. I always knew anything Shannon and Dean wrote would be fantastic, but I gotta’ say with each iteration, they get better and more clever. They always surprise me, even now!
Dean Hale (DH): So amazing! We’ve started to meet fans who have grown up with the books and are technically adults now. It’s the coolest thing ever.
Do you have any favorite memories from writing these books or things that have surprised you along the way as your collaborations across the different stories and cast of characters has grown?
(SH): My favorite things are, without question, 1. seeing Uyen’s gorgeous, hilarious, thoughtful, heartfelt art, and 2. Meeting kids who first fell in love with reading through these books.
(LP): I LOVE getting the script and sitting down in a comfy spot (preferably with a hot cup of tea) and reading the scripts when I get them for the first time. My favorite memory is designing Sneezewort in a way that would get the audience to love her. And I think that made Shannon and Dean decide, “She’s a keeper!” But my number one memory is of signing these books for kids. I love the fans so much!
(DH): I have to echo Shannon. Uyen’s art is a gift. And the kids who proudly tell us that The Princess in Black was the first book they read on their own? Awesome.
What is your favorite PIB character that Uyen has brought to life in her art on the page?
(SH): I begged Uyen for her painting of “The Kicker and…Coatrack!” from book 9. I have it framed in my office. And one of my favorite PIB moments was reading The Bath-time Battle to my then-9yos, and when they saw the monster post-bath for the first time, they literally screamed with delight for several minutes.
(DH): I especially love all the monsters, but I have to copy Uyen here and say the bunnies in the Hungry Bunny Horde hold a special place in my heart.
What is the character or scene you were the MOST excited to illustrate upon receiving the text?
(LP): So my guess with these books is that Shannon and Dean purposely try to come up with the zaniest, most un-illustratable monster they can come up, and then throw it in my corner and wait to see what I come up with. Because the monsters get harder and harder, but more and more fun. They KNOW I like a challenge, so that’s what they give me! And hands down my favorite of their monsters so far has been the evil purple bunnies in book three. SUCH GENIUSES, SHANNON AND DEAN!
The Princess in Black has been a popular DIY Halloween costume for years – so it’s hard to believe but this is actually the first holiday-themed title. What drew you all to a halloween theme for this story?
(SH): Honestly I’m surprised it took us this long! A story about putting on costumes to hide your identity and have fun with friends? Halloween is a perfect fit. I think I may say this every time, but this book is my new favorite. For real.
(LP): Oooh, I LOVE spooky stories! And this is the first of the series that takes place mostly at NIGHT. And the goats all have costumes! And they dress as MONSTERS! And we pay homage to all those home made costumes! Clearly I could go on, but I agree with Shannon — WHAT TOOK US SO LONG?!
(DH): Oooh, I’ve always loved Halloween, and I think we must have been waiting for just the right story to strike us. This is it! I’m so proud of it.
Describe the new, revealed-here-for-the-first-time-ever-cover in three words – GO!
(SH): Spooky, shiny joy!
(LP): ……..BOOO!!!
(DH): Lurky Costumed Fun!
About the Book
The Princess in Black and the Trick-or-Treating Trouble
Written by Shannon and Dean Hale
Illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Ages 5+ | 96 Pages
Publisher: Candlewick (2025) | ISBN-13: 978-1536234107
Publisher’s Book Summary: Where is the real Princess in Black? A case of hilarious costume confusion leads some neighborhood trick-or-treaters to discover their inner heroes thanks to the power of a good disguise.
It’s a dark and silly night, and Princess Magnolia is wearing her Princess in Black cape and mask over her clothes—just enough to pass as a Halloween costume in a hurry. She can’t wait to go trick-or-treating! This year, Princess in Black costumes are popular, and so are monster disguises, like the little orange guy with horns yelling “GOAT!” as the kids shout “trick or treat!” When the little monster devours an onion, however, along with an eraser and a bar of soap (not to mention a rock), and as he politely asks for a goat at each door, it’s clear to Princess Magnolia that something isn’t quite right. And—oh no—the next house is Duff’s goat shack! With half of her monster-fighting outfit at home, who can come to the poor critters’ rescue? Halloween hijinks meet high-spirited heroics in a special Princess in Black adventure that’s a treat all around.
Pre-Order the Book
About the Authors
Shannon Hale and Dean Hale are the award-winning husband-and-wife team behind the Princess in Black series, illustrated by LeUyen Pham. Shannon Hale is also the author of the Newbery Honor Book Princess Academy as well as the New York Times best-selling graphic novels Real Friends, Best Friends, and Friends Forever, illustrated by LeUyen Pham. Shannon Hale and Dean Hale live in Salt Lake City, Utah.
About the Illustrator
LeUyen Pham is the illustrator of the Princess in Black series as well as many other books for children, including Love Is Powerful by Heather Dean Brewer, Pat-a-Cake by Mary Brigid Barrett, God’s Dream by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Douglas Carlton Abrams, Aunt Mary’s Rose by Douglas Wood, and Real Friends, Best Friends, and Friends Forever by Shannon Hale. LeUyen Pham lives in California.
