This award winning book & toy set introduces Bones, a mischievous little skeleton who comes to life every October, making pranks and surprises for your family at night. During the day, however, Bones is all about fun and interaction—children can touch, play with, and engage with him, making every moment special. Unlike traditional holiday characters that focus mostly on observation, Bones is all about participation. Throughout the month of October, Bones' story aims to bring families together, encourage positive behavior, and celebrate joyful moments. With this book, use Bones or buy any skeleton—big, small, scary, or cute—to start this fun family tradition.
AWARD-WINNING BOOK
Winner
Children’s Action & Adventure
Book of the Year
First Place Winner
Winner
Seasonal Winner
Winner
Interactive Holiday Book
Children’s Holiday Fiction
Picture Books Fiction Category
Children’s Fantasy & Magic Category
Children’s Books Category
Winner
Gold Award
Toys, Games & Puzzles Category
Most Innovative Halloween Product
TOY AWARDS
Winner 2026
NAPPA Award
Positivity
BONES' CHARACTER
This comparison highlights how Bones Is Back® delivers higher engagement and longer seasonal interaction. The characters shown are Bones' friends, all featured in the book.
Season of Year
Full month
Frequency of
Daily
Repeat Engagement
High
Interact, touch & play
Parents Participation
Active & High
Co-play, co-creation
Promotes + Behavior
✅
Teamwork
Inclusiveness of
✅
Indulgence
✅
Moving not required
✅
Bones or any skeleton
What They Bring
Fun & Memories
Customization
October
Secular & inclusive
Religions
Interaction
Pranks, Surprises
25 days
December
Daily
Moderate
Observation
Passive & moderate
Staging only
✅
Reports to Santa
❌
Faith-specific
❌
Has to move
❌
Requires Elf
Magic & Memories
Surpises
1-2 days
Easter
One day
Low
Passive, egg hunt
Passive & Low
Hides eggs
❌
Tradition
❌
Faith-specific
❌
One day
❌
Invisible
Chocolate eggs
Treats
Single event
None
One night
Very Low
Tooth-for-money
Passive & Low
Takes tooth
❌
Transactional
✅
Secular & inclusive
❌
One night
❌
Invisible
Money
AUTHOR & STORY BEHIND
Dr. Marc Fetscherin is an accomplished author and devoted father to his two daughters, Margaux and Mireille. Drawing on his professional writing experience and passion for family storytelling, he ventured into children’s literature to create meaningful traditions families can enjoy together. Inspired by his daughters’ love for Halloween, Marc’s latest book, Bones Is Back: A Family Tradition for Halloween, grew from a simple family activity they shared each October. What began as a playful moment at home evolved into a concept designed to help families connect through creativity, imagination, and shared joy.
Dad-daugthers creation
Bones Is Back® was created as a hands-on, family-centered Halloween tradition. Each October, Marc and his daughters decorated and played with a small skeleton at home. One evening, his daughters wondered why Halloween didn’t have a playful character they could interact with daily—just like other holidays. That question sparked an idea. Marc began creating small surprises using the skeleton, turning it into a fun, interactive experience the family looked forward to every morning. The tradition quickly became a favorite. Inspired by friends and families seeking a more meaningful way to celebrate Halloween, Marc created Bones—a character children can touch, play with, and enjoy freely, without rules or pressure. The book and toy set encourage positive behavior, imagination, daily engagement, and shared family moments—shifting the focus from costumes and candy to connection, play, and memories.
