The Slice: So, would you want an apple for a treat?

What do Spokane-area children really want from Halloween?

I’m asking.

OK, I know it’s early. But in order for me to process the responses to today’s questionnaire and report back in time to help you make informed shopping decisions, I need to start the ball rolling.

So here’s the plan: If you are a kid or have children in your household, please answer (or have them answer) the following 20 questions. You’ll probably need a separate sheet of paper. E-mailing your answers to me is also fine.

My goal is to get a better idea of what kids think of the Oct. 31 occasion. We’ve all heard plenty of adult observations about Halloween. But I would like to invite young people to weigh in.

Remember, it’s the kids I want to hear from. It’s OK to help them prepare their answers, but the responses should be theirs.

Send your answers to one of the addresses at the end of the column.

Thanks for the input.

1. What specific kind of candy do you want to be given? What do you not want?

2. Are you afraid of trick-or-treat?

3. Do your parents fear trick-or-treat?

4. Do you want to be able to choose your own costume?

5. Have you heard enough from Grandpa about how great Halloween used to be?

6. What do you think about the treats your family hands out?

7. Have you been instructed to object to Halloween on religious grounds?

8. Do you have friends whose families are anti-Halloween?

9. How do you react to the idea of “nutritious treats”?

10. Do you understand why your parents want to inspect your trick-or-treat haul before allowing you to have any of it?

11. What was your best Halloween ever? Why?

12. Do you have any idea what a “goblin” is?

13. In your household, how many times does the trick-or-treat candy have to be replaced before Halloween actually arrives?

14. What would you consider to be the perfect weather for Halloween?

15. Do you believe some adults think Halloween is all about them?

16. What do you think about fluoridation?

17. When grown-ups come to the door in what they regard as scary costumes, do you play along or simply say, “OK, just hand it over.”

18. Do your parents understand that wearing a coat over your costume ruins everything?

19. Are you allowed to play an active role in pumpkin-carving?

20. Are you pleased that Halloween does not fall on a school night this year?

•Today’s Slice question: What makes you so sure you are not one of those people who can be fooled all of the time?