Editor’s Note: Read more NBA coverage from The Athletic here. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA or its teams.
***
On a day when doorbells are ringing and jack-o’-lanterns glow across the country, LeBron James has delivered his own Halloween treat — not a dunk or a costume, but a story. The Los Angeles Lakers star announced his newest children’s book, “Happy Spooky Halloween,” on Thursday, sharing his excitement for a project that merges his lifelong love of the holiday with his growing authorship career.
“You guys know how much I love Halloween, and this one’s going to be special,” James said in a video to fans. “So happy spooky Halloween … to everyone.” On Instagram, he added, “This is a bucket list item for me for real!!! I used to read alllll the Goosebumps books in middle school, and now to have my own spooky book coming for my favorite time of year is giving me goosebumps!”
The 32-page picture book, illustrated by Ariel Landy and published by HarperCollins Children’s Books, will be released July 21. It follows Zara and her friends as they head to a Halloween party “the big kids” are throwing at fictional Hickory Elementary — a night that turns “a little too spooky.” The younger kids have to summon courage and teamwork to turn fear into fun.
For James, that theme isn’t incidental. “Since I was little, Halloween has always been my favorite holiday, so I’ve been looking forward to this book for a long time,” he said in a HarperCollins statement. “I’m excited to bring that joy and genuine love for all things Halloween into this story for young kids to connect with — and even learn an important lesson through this spooky, fun time of year.”
The NBA star has turned heads with his costumes over the years, from his Grease outfit in 2008, to Prince in 2015, and Beetlejuice in 2023, and his upcoming book aims to reflect the same affection he has always shown for the holiday.
HarperCollins editorial director Luana Horry, who acquired North American rights to the book, said the partnership continues to build on James’ mission to empower and inspire children. “We’re thrilled to continue publishing children’s books by LeBron James as he encourages kids to work together and to be kind to one another — even during spooky season,” Horry said.
“Happy Spooky Halloween” marks James’ fourth children’s book, following “I Promise” (2020), “We Are Family” (2023) and “I Am More Than” (2024). His debut became a No. 1 New York Times bestseller and helped cement his off-court legacy as more than an athlete — as a storyteller.
James’ ventures in publishing fit the larger pattern of his post-basketball career: building community through creativity. Whether founding schools, producing films, or writing stories for young readers, his message remains the same — teamwork, belief, and possibility.
***
Denny Alfonso is a trending news writer for The Athletic. An Emmy Award–winning New Yorker, Denny previously covered the NBA, MLB, and MLS for ESPN, where she produced and reported the Soccer in America series, earning a Telly Award. She also covered the Rio Olympics for ESPN. Before joining ESPN, Denny worked as an investigative reporter for NBC Telemundo in Los Angeles and has been a contributor to both Yahoo and The Associated Press in New York.
