Halloween, 2003

   The following reviews were presented in our 2003 Halloween feature.

Reviews

Annie Was Warned
Jarrett J. Krosoczka
   Brave Annie is determined to go to the "creepy old Montgomery mansion" on Halloween night. As she set out with her flashlight, she "wasn't afraid of anything." But as she walked along, there were some peculiarities. When she crossed the churchyard, she felt something tickle the back of her neck. She was relieved to discover it was only the leaves falling from the trees. When she arrived at the mansion, a sign on the door told her not to open it. She did. Inside were all her friends in costume scaring her and surprising her with a birthday party. Children whose birthdays are on Halloween will enjoy this just spooky enough story. Annie's flashlight is used effectively throughout the illustrations. A sense of the wind blowing, the peculiar perspectives and the dark colors give it an eerie look. 2003, Knopf, Ages 4 to 8, $15.95. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN: 0-375-81567-8

Bernie Magruder and the Bats in the Belfry
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
   Sixth-grader Bernie Magruder is focused on discovering the reasons behind several strange goings-on in Middleburg, Indiana. The most curious of these is the appearance of the little-known Indiana Aztec bat, announced by mysterious flyers around town. The Indiana Aztec is deadly to those who disturb its nesting place, according to the flyers. And when these bats occupy the church belfry, they coincide with another part of the plot; the church bells that ring the hymn "Abide with Me" seemingly nonstop as according to the will of a rich citizen. All this takes place around the time that a very private visitor comes to stay at the hotel that Bernie's Dad manages and where Bernie's family lives. Bernie and his two friends try to piece together this mysterious puzzle on their own. Between the bells driving the town crazy and the bats' presence scaring everyone, this story is full of creativity--from Bernie to the author herself. Despite the overwhelming number of characters, including those who unnecessarily go by different names, Bernie's problem-solving adventure is sure to give young readers chills, and will probably even make them laugh out loud. 2003, Simon and Schuster, $16.95. Ages 8 to 12. Cherie Ilg Haas (Children's Literature)
ISBN: 0-689-85066-2

Boo! A Halloween Peek-a-Boo! Book
Lark Carrier
   Leroy, a dog in a super hero's cape and mask, carries his trick or treat bag. "On Halloween night, what does Leroy dooo?" asks the author. The succeeding pages of this board book provide multiple answers that always rhyme with "dooo." The ghost, the pumpkin, the black cat, the witch, and the skeleton are all children dressed for trick or treat. As they travel together on the last page they wish the reader, "Happy Halloween tooo yooo!" Young children will enjoy the interactive approach of turning the die-cut pages to reveal who is costumed. The brief text and the rhyming words make this a simple introduction to the sights and symbols of the holiday. There is no real story here. The youngest listeners may need to be told that these are children dressed in costumes, especially the ghost and the skeleton. The illustrations show friendly faces. Carrier defines each object and character with a heavy brown outline thus giving the illustrations a cartoon or a coloring book look, appropriate for the intended age group. 2003, Cartwheel Books/Scholastic, Ages 1 to 3, $5.95. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN: 0-439-38222-X

Broom Mates
Marge Palatini
Illustrated by Howard Fine
   No one has more fun with witches than Palatini. The hilarious antics she devises are full of puns along with the fun. Gritch the Witch, worn out from the preparations for her howliday party, has just gone to bed when her bossy sister, Mag the Hag, arrives a day early, demanding to share her bed. From then on it's one disagreement after another, as they fight over squishing or squashing the pumpkins, dusting the dust bunnies, and cooking the rat-tail-tooey versus the brew-ha-ha. When their mummy arrives, she sets everything right, however, so they can really party. Fine is up to this verbal challenge with his aggressive paintings which spill over the edges of the pages, unable to contain the sisters' energies. The details he supplies to supplement the text, the costumes and depictions of concoctions, all contribute abundant obnoxious specifics to the more general words. Exaggerated actions and the interjection of lines of very large colored type also add to the melodramatic humor and visual delight. 2003, Hyperion Books for Children Ages 4 to 8, $15.99. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz
ISBN: 0-7868-0418-1

Caillou: Dresses Up!
Francine Allen
   The now popular TV personality, Caillou has been the focus of numerous books for young children. Caillou: Dress Up! is really a Halloween story in disguise. It is part of the "Scooter" series that offers a spread where kids can place the reusable stickers into the scene to create their own stories. Little sister Rosie doesn't want to put on a clown costume, but Caillou is ready to don his spacesuit and helmet. Then he and Dad head out for an evening of "trick-or-treating." Caillou meets up with some friends and they have a great time. The last stop is home where Rosie's fears are slightly allayed when she recognizes her brother. The art looks like static scenes from computer-generated art and it is printed on sturdy pages with a high sheen. Caillou has many experiences that kids will be able to understand and also share all of his emotions. This book is more of a personal purchase than something for the school or public library. 2001 (orig. 1987), Choutte Publishing, Ages 3 to 6, $4.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 2-89450-262-1

Dora's Halloween Adventure
Sarah Willson
Illustrated by Steven Savitsky
   Fans of the television series will recognize the plot. Swiper has "swiped" Boots the Monkey's bag of Halloween candy. Dora gets out her map that shows the way to the haunted house. As she and Boots travel through the spooky forest, and the pumpkin patch they encounter various animals and objects with flaps for the reader to pull. These flaps reveal a candy trail that leads up to the house where Swiper has taken the bag of treats. The last page shows several costumed friends. Lifting those flaps reveals their identities. The interactive approach will keep young children entertained. Sights and symbols of Halloween fill the pages, especially at the haunted house but the story lacks drama. Children who recognize Dora on the cover will reach for this board book. 2003, Simon Spotlight/Nick Jr/Simon & Schuster, Ages 2 to 4, $5.99. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN: 0-689-85844-2

Dracula and Frankenstein Are Friends
Katherine Tegen
Illustrated by Doug Cushman
   Best friends, Frankenstein and Dracula, discuss the possibility of having a Halloween party. Even though it was Frankenstein's idea, Dracula states he wants to have his own party. Dracula can be very mean and sneaky and he steals the invitations Frankenstein was going to send. Frankenstein works very hard on decorations and coming up with prizes for best costumes so that his party would be a great success. When Halloween night arrives, everyone shows up at Dracula's house ready for music, games and dancing and no one goes to Frankenstein's place. Oh, what a fun time everyone was having! During the party, Dracula sneaks out and looks through Frankenstein's window where he sees his friend sitting by himself waiting for his friends to arrive. Even mean spirited people can have a soft spot in their hearts, so Dracula moves the party and fun to Frankenstein's house. If you like happy endings, then this book hits the mark. The cartoon illustrations add much to this delightful story and contain many humorous details such as happy worms in a plate of spaghetti and sagging red socks on Frankenstein. 2003, HarperCollins Publishers, Ages 3 to 8, $15.99. Reviewer: Kathie M. Josephs
ISBN: 0-06-000115-1

Easy Halloween Projects You Can Paint
Margaret Wilson & Robyn Thomas
   Twenty simple projects for Halloween are featured along with clear photographs and step by step directions. Paint a scarecrow yard sign, greeting cards, a candy corn dish, or add a black cat to a candle. Decorate a creepy black cauldron or create Halloween tree ornaments. Templates are provided. A supply list and basic painting techniques are given along with a list of resources and an index. Each spooky project includes several photographs. Novice painters may need some practice before getting started, but should soon master the simple techniques. The same publisher has featured additional projects by the authors in other books. 2003, North Light Books, Ages 8 up, $14.99. Reviewer: Laura Hummel
ISBN: 1-58180-382-6

Excuse Me...Are You a Witch?
Emily Horn
Illustrated by Pawel Pawlak
   Herbert the cat, living alone on the streets, takes refuge in the library. There, in an encyclopedia, he discovers that witches love black cats. He determines to find one to take him in. But everyone he asks on the streets is upset or insulted, of course, when he asks them if they are witches. Finally, back in the library, he is happily discovered by a group of oddly dressed young girls, who turn out to be from witch school. Their witch-teacher agrees to take him back to school. Off they fly on their brooms, after checking out their materials of course, for the perfect happy ending to this fanciful story. Pawlak's engaging colored and textured illustrations are delightfully light-hearted and amusing. Herbert is an appealing Everyman seeking his proper place in life. On the front end-papers, he is on his way into the library. On the last page he is off with his new friends, perhaps to a new adventure. 2003, Whispering Coyote/Charlesbridge Publishing Co, Ages 4 to 8, $15.95. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz
ISBN: 1-58089-093-8

Five Little Pumpkins
Michaelk Scott
   This little rhyme has been done several times and with variations that never cease to amaze. In this board book, a multicultural cast all dressed in orange greats the reader on the opening spread. They appear to be suspended in air but are obviously sitting, but not on the gate superimposed in the background. Each of the tykes has a line to say -"The second one said, 'There are witches in the air!'" The stretch, play and finally roll out of site. For babies who love to look at other babies this will be a fun board book, but as an adult, it is a little disconcerting to see them floating on the pages. 203, Hyperion, Ages 1 to 3, $5.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-7868-1919-7

The Fierce Yellow Pumpkin
Margaret Wise Brown
Pictures by Richard Egielski
   This never before published new picture book created by Margaret Wise Brown is a wonderful treasure that has been found. This is the story of a little pumpkin and how he has a dream to become one of the most fierce jack-o-lanterns. It begins where he starts out small, yet is growing in a field where little mice run around him all day. As fall approaches, he continues to grow into a big pumpkin and is soon cut off his vine by three children who are excited about Halloween. The pumpkin then is carved by the young people and made into a scary pumpkin and he is excited because he has reached his one and only dream. The written descriptions of the changes that the pumpkin goes through are in great detail that makes the reader feel as he/she is actually in the pumpkin patch watching it grow everyday. The pictures created by Richard Egielski are dramatic and serene that complements the story very well. There is also a gentle lesson that is written for the reader and that is to always keep a dream and believe one day it will be achieved. A wonderful story that children will enjoy having read to them that creates the ambience of the fall season without adding in some of frightening aspects. 2003 HarperCollins Publishers, Ages 3 to 6, $15.99. Reviewer: Christy Oestreich
ISBN: 0-06-024479-8

Five Little Pumpkins
Dan Yaccarino
   The traditional fingerplay, "Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate" is given new life in this board book. The pumpkins faces are varied. On the first page, a ghost appears out of the chimney of a house as the moon is rising. The ghost swirls among the jack-o-lanterns and witches ride by. As the candlelight goes out, the pumpkins and the ghost head off in the distance and a black cat appears on the gate. This is a rhyme that is widely used in preschools and storyhours. Preschoolers will be happy to have a version to read at home as well as at school. There is just enough spookiness here for the age group. The witches flying on the broomsticks are not threatening and the ghost is nicely fluid in its movement. This will be a popular Halloween book. 1988, Harper Festival/HarperCollins, Ages 2 to 5, $5.99. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN: 0-694-01177-0

The Flying Witch
Jane Yolen
Illustrated by Vladimir Vagin
   Since "plump young children were difficult to find in a dark tangled forest," Russian witch Baba Yaga had only thin soup for supper. She didn't even have a turnip to add. Then one day, a little girl fell off the back of her father's turnip truck. Baba Yaga found her and told her she would take her back to her father. Instead, however, the old witch took the girl back to her house. Baba Yaga told her she was hungry "for a plump young girl." This girl was not plump, however, but was quite wise and came up with a plan. With some help from her father and a touch of sweetness, the little girl wins her freedom. Yolen has created an original tale using the Baba Yaga motifs. Tension builds as the witch takes the little girl to her house. The little girl maintains her cool, however, and thus gives the reader insight into the importance of thinking through a problem. Vagin employs autumn tones because of the turnip harvest, but they also give a richness to the illustrations. He gives a distinctive Russian look, and much to peruse. The text border sits on chicken legs, just as Baba Yaga's house does. Teachers can use this as an example for students on how to create an original tale from a folktale. Of course, Yolen makes it look easier than it is. 2003, HarperCollins, Ages 5 to 8, $15.99. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN: 0-06-028536-2
ISBN: 0-06-028537-0

Food Fright!
Karen Rostoker-Gruber
Illustrated by Shelia Aldridge
   Food Fright! Is subtitled A Mouthwatering Novelty Book. One would have to have a mighty strange appetite to find these foods appealing. It is gross and for that reason alone it will have lots of appeal, especially to young boys. One Cyclops stirs eyeball stew, five witches toast dragon tails, nine ghost bake up a boo-bird pie and so it goes up to 10. Each page offers something to touch, push, pull or as with the last page pop-up. All the creatures with there totally unappetizing foods decide to have a food fright or food fight. Better watch out there is a slime fondue just waiting for the reader. Along the way there is a lesson to help kids count from one to ten. 2003, Price Stern Sloan/Penguin Putnam, Ages 3 to 7, $11.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-8431-0456-2

Four Kids, Three Cats, Two Cows and One Witch (maybe)
Siobhan Parkinson
   Aimed at upper elementary and lower middle school students, this novel follows the adventures of four kids in the seaside vacation town of Tranarone, Ireland. While walking on the beach one day, Beverly wonders what it would be like to explore the supposedly uninhabited island nearby. She decides to enlist the help of newly arrived Elizabeth and her younger cousin, Gerard, for the adventure. Preparations complete, they begin to set out at low tide, which will allow them to actually wade to the island. Just as they are about to leave, Kevin, a local proprietor's son, asks if he can come along, while adding that he has heard that the island is really not uninhabited. They arrive safely, but the adventure soon takes a downturn as Gerard becomes separated from them. During the course of their ups and downs, including their opposing personalities, each of them relates their own monotonous tale, adding to the mystery of the trip. While searching for Gerard, they discover a cabin that turns out to be inhabited. Will the inhabitant be foe or friend? Will they return safely or...? This Bistro Book of the Year Merit Award winner will be satisfying to those readers who love this genre. 2002 (orig. 1997), O'Brien Press, Ages 9 to 12, $7.95. Reviewer: Meredith Kiger
ISBN: 0-86278-515-4

The Graves Family
Patricia Polacco
   Doug and Shalleaux Graves arrived in Union City with their five children on a "dark and dreary night." They painted their house blood red and everyone stayed away. Until one day when two neighborhood children, Seth and Sara Miller, went over to meet the new boy. Immediately they realized that the Graves' house was quite different from theirs. They soon learned that the Graves' knew they were different, but hoped they would eventually find a town where they would fit in. Mr. Graves was an inventor who created a potion to cure baldness. It worked for a while, but then disastrous results occurred. They were about to be ostracized when television personality, Christopher Joel, selected their house as the perfect haunted house and featured it in his magazine. Humor intertwines with creepiness, just like Phoebe, Mrs. Graves' Venus Flytrap. entwines herself around objects and people. Polacco sets an eerie stage while presenting a lesson in accepting others who are different. Illustrations show the bizarre (giant-size furry spiders, dinner at the Graves house), the normal (the Miller children) and the humorous (hairdos on the men in town). 2003, Philomel, Ages 5 to 8, $16.99. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN: 0-399-24034-9

"Hallo-what?"
Christel Desmoinaux
   The little witch, Marceline, wonders why all the adult witches are in such a hurry. She visits her grandmother who tells her it is Halloween. Grandma explains to her the history of the holiday and why people carve pumpkins and children dress up. Marceline gathers her friends who don their costumes and go door-to-door shouting, "Trick or treat!" Pastel illustrations, generally very gentle, show just enough creepiness for older preschoolers and early primary grade children. If you're looking for a way to explain the origin and traditions of the holiday, this may indeed fill the bill. Originally published in France where Halloween was not traditionally celebrated, this would be a good way to acquaint young children with the holiday. However, some American children will probably be surprised that Marceline, at her age, doesn't already know about Halloween. The presence of candy canes in the treat bag will also be surprising. 2003, Margaret K. McElderry/Simon & Schuster, Ages 4 to 7, $14.95. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN: 0-689-84795-5

Halloween
Natalie M. Rosinsky
   There is a lot of information packed into this book, which is part of the "Let's See Library." It is set up just like any major reference book with a table of contents, the chapters, a glossary and at the end, sections with more information, references and an index. The text explains the origins of Halloween and why certain symbols are associated with the holiday. For example, an Irishman named Jack was said to be a ghost and "Jack's lantern" became jack-o-lantern--a lamp made by lighting a candle inside a carved turnip. Later and especially in the U.S., pumpkins were used. There is plain talk about how people misunderstood the healing powers of many women who knew about herbs and considered them witches--many were hunted and killed. Also because people did not understand how bats could see in the dark, and that owls seemed to turn their heads around, they were feared. The many superstitions and fears have pretty much been laid aside and now Halloween is more a holiday for fun. The concluding pages describe how it is celebrated in the U.S. and other places in the world. Halloween is a useful addition to any school or public library. One interesting anomaly is that the opening picture features the same two kids in costume as found in a book of the same title from The Child's World. 2003, Compass Point Books, $18.60. Ages 5 to 9. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature)
ISBN: 0-7565-0392-2

Halloween
Cynthia Klingel and Robert B. Noyed
    Billed as one of the titles in the "Wonder Books" series, this is a nonfiction, Level 2 offering. That means it has more complex topics and sentence structure, but it is still a fairly easy book to read. The facts about Halloween are presented, such as the date, noting that the colors black and orange are usually associated with the holiday, pumpkins are carved into jack-o'-lanterns, and kids dress up in costumes and may go to parties or out trick-or-treating. The emphasis is on fun and that is all that is ever said about the holiday; nothing is included about its origins or what the meaning of certain symbols and colors might be. One item of confusion is that the name of the author on the cover and spine is Kathryn Kyle, but the title page has two different names. Also interesting is that the picture on the opening page shows the same two kids who appear in Natalie M. Rosinsky's book with the same title from Compass Point Books. There is an index, list of places to go to find out more (books and Web sites) and a note to parents and educators, as well as some information about the authors. Of marginal value overall. 2003, The Child's World, $21.36. Ages 4 to 6. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature)
ISBN: 1-5676-6955-7

Halloween Bugs: A Trick-or-Treat Pop-up
David A. Carter
   Fantasy entomologist Carter has created a new set of bugs to intrigue his current fans and gain new followers. This time, he has drawn a series of doors: dusty, red, magical, whimsical, enchanted, and rusty, behind which can be found a most unusual litany of bugs: a "luscious little Lollipop Bug," a "Bat-in-the-Hat bug," and the "Great Pumpkin Bug," to name a few. The last page pops up to show the ghost and ghoul bugs in the graveyard. Be sure to read all the epitaphs including that of the snail, flea, mosquito and the old lady who swallowed a fly. Early primary grade children will enjoy the little jokes. It's a small book. There are only six doors and the graveyard here. Children will groan and giggle as they discover the surprises behind the doors. The size makes it more appropriate for one-to-one or small group sharing. This has a familiar look to it since it is part of the "A Bugs in a Box(r) Book" series. 2003, Little Simon/Simon & Schuster, Ages 4 to 8, $10.95. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN: 0-689-85916-3

The Halloween Play
Felicia Bond
   Roger and his classmates are practicing for the upcoming Halloween play. They want everything to be right when their parents and friends come to the school auditorium. Roger has a small but very important part. He waited patiently backstage and then made his grand entrance. He really was the center of attention and later that night Dad photographed Roger in his fabulous costume from the play. That there is a part in a play for everyone is evident in this sweet, upbeat story. Stage struck youngsters will delight in discovering there are no small parts. In this case, all the actors are small mice. The board book format works well here, as the expressive mice prepare and present their holiday play. Note, this book was previously issued as The Halloween Performance. 2003, (orig. 1999, 1983), Laura Geringer Books/HarperCollins, Ages 3 to 6, $6.99. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN: 0-06-054443-0

The House that Jack Haunted
Pamela Conn Beall and Susan Hagen Nip
Illustrated by Charles Reasoner
   Yes, it is the same familiar cumulative rhyme and this time with a Halloween flavor. The star is Jack the ghost and the house that he haunts. Characters that appeared in another board book by this team show up in this one. The ghost looks the same as does the witch, bat, cat and a new character a goblin with a jack-o' lantern for a head. It is not quite as friendly as the other book, because Jack is a bit cross at all of these intruders and he manages to find a solution that young kids will enjoy and I am certain chime in with their own loud Boo! 2003, Price Stern Sloan/Penguin Putnam, Ages 1 to 3, $4.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-8431-0275-4

I Like Pumpkins
Jerry Smath
   A little girl celebrates pumpkins in all their shapes and forms and uses. She talks about how there are plastic ones, some to hold candy, and some made into lanterns. The seeds can be eaten or planted. Her favorite pumpkins are made into pies. This story in verse has an upbeat tone that echoes a child's excitement about selecting a pumpkin and celebrating Halloween and autumn. The illustrations show the little girl in a car with her mother on their way to the pumpkin patch. They select their pumpkin, and on their return home, pass some unusual sights. Touches of humor are found here, such as Frankenstein and his pet alligator each taking a pumpkin home. Children will enjoy the fantasy of her bedroom where everything has a pumpkin theme, from her headboard to the clock. Four puzzles in which the reader has to find the different pumpkin, count which farmer has the most, find the hidden pumpkins in the parade, and find the pumpkin that looks like the little girl complete the book. Parents and teachers can begin a conversation with children about their favorite pumpkin or talk about Halloween sights and symbols. A nice little book and a bargain at this price. 2003, Cartwheel Books/Scholastic, Ages 3 to 6, $3.50. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN: 0-439-52110-6

It's a Monster Party
Tasha Pym
Illustrated by Charles Fuge
   Blot and Og are two alien creatures who live on what appears to be quite a desolate part of their planet. They are bored and decide that it would be really exciting to have a "bright pink sky,...filled with guitars an streamers looped over the stars." In essence they create a fantasy and then prepare a bunch of invitations inviting folks to come and join them in seeing these wonders. The balloons transports the invites to a real variety of strange creatures, all of whom are really excited about the party. When they show up there is quite a bit of disappointment that none of these great things are real, but what is real is the amazing variety of creatures and the chance to make new friends. That is the beginning of a truly great party in Blogsville. 2003, Sterling, Ages 3 to 5, $12.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 1-4027-0429-1

Jeoffry's Halloween
Mary Bryant Bailey
Illustrated by Elizabeth Sayles
   Just as the sights and sounds of night can frighten a child, so too, do they concern Jeoffry the cat. In a rhyming text, and through Jeoffry's eyes, the reader wanders through the pumpkin patch, the bog, and the hillside. The frightened dog returns home but curiosity keeps Jeoffry following the witch and the goblin until they lose their flashlight. He then leads them out of the forest and discovers they are children. Here is one cat who has had his fill of the creepiness of Halloween night. Jeoffry is glad to be home where "a mouse is just a mouse,/ where cream is cream, fish is fish,/ a dog's a dog, a dish a dish." Soft, muted colors with foggy swirls enhance the spooky tone of the text. Interesting perspectives, expressive faces and the cat's body language make each page interesting and encourage the reader to keep turning the pages. Occasionally the rhyme is forced, but overall it works and tells the story. The cover is eye-catching with the cat in a gold witch's hat, his hound dog friend behind him and a bat flying above. A good additional title for Halloween. 2003, Farrar Straus Giroux, Ages 4 to 7, $16.00. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN: 0-374-33677-6

Julius's Candy Corn
Kevin Henkes
   It's Halloween and Julius is having a party. Sitting on the table were homemade cupcakes studded with candy corn. When his mother tells him not to eat the cupcakes, he decides to count the candy corn instead. After one comes "another candy corn" and "another candy corn" until Julius has counted them all. As he counted them, however, he popped each one in his mouth. But the cupcakes are still there when his friends arrives. Henkes continues this holiday series with another delightful, child-centered story. Julius, dressed in his clown costume, is wonderfully expressive as he licks his fingers and his lips. Parents will recognize the literal way young children think. With its board book format and gentle story, this is a treasure for parents and teachers of young children. 2003, Greenwillow/HarperCollins, Ages 2 to 6, $6.99. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN: 0-06-053789-2

Mouse's First Halloween
Lauren Thompson
Illustrated by Buket Erdogan
As Mouse crept around one spooky night, he heard several scary sounds. "Flit! Flit! Flit! What could it be?" wondered Mouse. "Swooping bats! That's all. Not so scary after all." Rustling, flipping, plopping and creeping things follow, but Mouse soon discovers these to be innocuous objects or animals. They all relate to fall and Halloween and the litany end up with a group of trick-or-treaters who share some goodies with Mouse. The nighttime setting in dark shades and fuzzy pastels are slightly scary, just enough to set the mood, but not really frightening. The story can be used to reassure kids just beginning to experience Halloween and to teach that many things that may seem scary at first, really are not. First published as a picture book and now available as a board book. 2003 (orig. 2000), Little Simon/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Ages 2 to 6, $7.99. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN: 0-689-85584-2

Moonlight the Halloween Cat
Cynthia Rylant
Illustrated by Melissa Sweet
   Come follow this black cat as she wanders through town and enjoys her favorite evening of the year. Smiling pumpkins, the comfortable lap of a man made of straw, children in costumes, a full moon, and wild animals such as owls and raccoons are all welcome sights. The oversize book with its lush colors make this a Halloween treat. One double-page spread shows a street of houses with witches, a princess, a bee and others going door-to-door for trick-or-treat while another shows the cat from the back perched on a branch and looking at a huge moon ("yellow and wide"). It is perfect for preschool storyhour and for parents who are introducing their young children to this holiday. It is positive and upbeat, focusing on the light side and leaving out the spooky. The text is short and simple, yet expressive. "Pumpkins smile at her. Straw laps welcome her." This will be very popular with the preschool set. 2003, HarperCollins, ages 2 to 5, $14.99. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN: 0-06-029711-5

October
Robyn Brode
   As with the other books in the "Months of the Year" series, Brode introduces young readers to some of the characteristics, events and activities in the month of October. First, readers learn that it is the tenth month of the year and that it has 31 days. October is a fall month and in more temperate areas of the country, leaves fall off the trees. It may be a time for a walk in the woods, raking up the fallen leaves and also having fun jumping in the piles that have been created. The weather is usually cooler and outdoor activities such as bike riding are great fun at this time of year. October is also host to one of kids' favorite holidays--Halloween. Some kids carve pumpkins, others may dress up in costumes for parades or for trick-or-treating. The month of October is followed by November and that means cooler weather is about to come. Throughout the text there are pages of full-color photographs showing kids engaged in many of the activities described. A calendar showing the months of the year and the seasons wraps up the text. Some of the pages have rhetorical questions, which, rather than making it interactive, take away from the book. There is a three-word glossary. 2003, Weekly Reader, $18.60. Ages 4 to 7. Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature)
ISBN: 0-8368-3585-9
ISBN: 0-8368-3621-9

One Witch Laura Leuck
   A witch has a cooking pot to fill. She goes around to her fiendish friends to gather the ingredients for a gruesome stew. The friends are interesting--cats, scarecrows, goblins, vampires, mummies, owls, ghosts, skeletons and werewolves. They each give some bizarre thing such as a fish's tail, a blackbird claw, slimy slugs, fresh blood juice, a musty moth, a rattlesnake, a hunk of hair, a finger bone, and some spider soup. She then sends her bat messengers around to deliver invitations to the party bash. The delivery is clever because it describes where the bats found the creatures. There is little text on each page but it is cleverly used. The illustrations by S. D. Schindler are great in supporting the words. The last pages about the party are busy and funny. It makes a great Halloween season picture book. 2003, Walker & Company, Ages 5 to 7, $15.95. Reviewer: Naomi Butler
ISBN: 0-8027-8860-2

Peter Rabbit's Halloween
Beatrix Potter
Peter Rabbit is constantly appearing in new books. In this "Peter Rabbit Seedlings" which is a line of board books, kids will count from one to five with Peter. The holiday featured is Halloween so all of the items are supposedly related-1 big moon, 2 spiders, 3 treats, 4 bats and 5 jack o' lanterns. I don't think the first two items necessarily reflect the holiday and the reference to spooky bats just maligns these very useful and beneficial creatures. Not a top of this list selection for this holiday season. 2003, Frederick Warne, Ages 1 to 3, $4.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-7232-4900-8

Poultrygeist
Mary Jane Auch and Herm Auch
   Rudy and Ralph are best friends. They are also roosters, and take pride in being the first and loudest to crow at sunrise. Most of the farmyard animals are used to the racket, but Sophie the pig and Clarissa the cow wish they could get some peace and quiet. When the animals start preparing for Halloween, the noise reaches especially high decibels until suddenly everyone is silenced by a tall monster rising up from the corner of the barn - it's the poultrygeist, a ghost who had been sleeping for 100 years until awakened by all of the cackling. Rudy and Ralph sleep outside that night, and hold each others' beaks to keep from crowing and rousing the poultrygeist. The next night is Halloween and it is too cold to sleep outside, but the roosters are feeling sort of chicken and fight over who should sleep near where the ghost was last seen. Finally, the mystery of the poultrygeist is solved, and the noisy roosters are finally silenced. The illustrations are a hoot. Although the story is fairly predictable, it's a lot of fun and Rudy and Ralph are wonderful allegorical characters for noisy children to meet. 2003, Holiday House, Ages 4 to 9, $16.95. Reviewer: Dr. Judy Rowen
ISBN: 0-8234-1756-5

The Runaway Pumpkin
Kevin Lewis
Illustrations by S. D. Schindler
   A rolling, zipping giant pumpkin runs across the cover of this entertaining picture book. A scared pig, frightened chickens, a jittery dairy cow, and a wide-eyed red haired boy flee from the giant orange pumpkin. A child will quickly open this book to see how the pumpkin came to be bumping along. This tale unfolds when two costumed brothers break the pumpkin from its stem against the better judgment of their young sister Lil, and set it to rolling down the hill. The text is delivered in a progressive manner as the pumpkin rolls from the hilltop, to the pig's sty, the chicken coop, and the bottom of the hill where Poppa comes to the rescue and plows a swirly pumpkin bed to catch the runaway pumpkin. When the pumpkin sped by, various family members pictured Granny's scrumptious pumpkin dishes. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin soup, and delicious pumpkin bread were all desired. Once the pumpkin stopped, Granny was free to bake all the hoped for pumpkin dishes to eat on Halloween night. A repetitive verse, which children will want to repeat, pops up every few pages. The tantalizing verse offers the opportunity for children to request the reading of the book over and over again. Clever and humorous illustrations enrich the text. This selection would work well in preschool and primary grades. The book could best be read at Halloween or any time pumpkins are set free from their stems. 2003, Orchard Books/Scholastic Inc, Ages 4 to 8, $15.99. Reviewer: Nancy Garhan Attebury
ISBN: 0-439-43974-4

The Pumpkin Patch
Margaret McNamara
Illustrations by Mike Gordon
   This Level 1 "Ready-to-Read" book is part of the Robin Hill School series. Katie is eager to find the perfect pumpkin when her class visits a pumpkin patch. After looking all over the pumpkin patch, Katie finds the perfect pumpkin. On the bus ride home, her classmates show off their pumpkins and Katie realizes that her pumpkin is very small. She feels bad because her pumpkin isn't perfect. When Katie gets home, she tells her father, "I picked a bad pumpkin." Her father then makes the pumpkin into a pie, with Katie's help. Katie takes the pie to school and everyone agrees that her pumpkin is perfect. Gordon's colorful, cartoonish drawings provide a perfect backdrop to this entertaining and educational story. This is a good book for children ready to move on from traditional picture books. 2003, Simon and Schuster, Ages 4 to 6, $5.99. Reviewer: Amie Rose Rotruck
ISBN: 0-689-85874-4

The Skeleton in the Closet
Alice Schertle
Illustrated by Curtis Jobling
   A cartoon-like boy, asleep in bed, is awakened by the sound of pounding at the door. He cautiously steps to the window: "I moved the curtain and peeked through the crack-Two empty eyeholes stared right back!" In humorous, rhyming prose, the skeleton follows the boy up the stairs in search of some "skeleton clothes." He tries on lots of amusing items, and departs (having miraculously grown glowing, green eyeballs instead the empty eyeholes,) looking more like a somewhat odd child than a skeleton. But the book ends with a warning that he might come quietly creeping...up the reader's stairs! Although the theme is a bit frightening, and the suspense as the skeleton climbs the boy's stairs is nicely sustained, the scariness is modified by the bouncy rhythm of the story. The large, bright illustrations leave a tale that is more funny than scary. This would be a nice addition to any Halloween story time. 2003, HarperCollins, Ages 4 to 7, $15.99. Reviewer: Leslie Rounds
ISBN: 0-688-17738-7

The Spiderwick Chronicles: Book Three - Lucinda's Secret
Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black
   One would have thought that having the Field Guide to the world of Faerie would mean that one would have the advantage over that world, the answers to its puzzles and mysteries. Unfortunately for Simon, Jared, and Mallory this is not the case. So far they have tangled with a truly pestiferous house boggart, have barely escaped from an encounter with a troll and some extremely nasty goblins, and have a very large and hungry griffin in their carriage house. Not only do they not have any answers, but they don't know what to do with the guide now that they have it. Thimbletack the boggart seems to think that it should be destroyed. Mallory agrees with him on this particular point. Jared, the self appointed keeper of the Guide, cannot bear to think of destroying the book. The children finally decide that their only recourse is to ask the advice of someone who might know something about the Guide and its writer their great uncle Arthur Spiderwick. The only person who might know anything is Arthur's daughter, their Aunt Lucinda. The visit to Aunt Lucinda reveals that the old lady knows all about the Faerie world, indeed she has been touched by it in a terrible way. Jared also discovers that the Guide, which he thought was safe in his backpack, is no longer there. What are the children to do now? They have lost the Guide and have learned that their great uncle Arthur was also lost; the man disappeared seventy years previously. What follows is a bizarre journey and encounters with creatures unlike any that the children have met so far. Once again Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black have created a book that perplexes and carries one into a world where anything can happen. It is also a world where dark and evil creatures live and where children should be careful where they go if they want to survive. Irresistible and enthralling, this is a book that is truly hard to put down. Filled with black ink line drawings and several beautiful full color illustrations, and presented in a journal format, "The Spiderwick Chronicles" will be treasured for years to come. 2003, Simon and Schuster, Ages 8 to 10, $9.95. Reviewer: Marya Jansen-Gruber
ISBN: 0-689-85936-8

Spot's Halloween
Eric Hill
Spot the yellow puppy with the brown spot is all excited about Halloween. He and his friends are making big decisions about what costumes they will wear. Helen, the hippo doesn't make a very petite or delicate fairy, but Tom the alligator certainly looks like a menacing pirate. Spot can't decide if he wants to be a cowboy, a Superpup or a bunny, but then decides that he really wants to be a wizard. Mom reminds him not to forget his broom as he and his pals set out trick or treating. Wizards with brooms--shades of Harry Potter perhaps? 2003, Putnam, Ages 1 to 3, $5.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-399-24185-X

Tell Me a Scary Story...But Not Too Scary!
Carl Reiner
Illustrated by James Bennett
   A computer-generated likeness of Carl Reiner tells a little girl who is in her bed, "I hope you'll like this story, but if it gets too scary for you, just say, 'Stop reading!' and I'll stop, because I love you very much." And thus begins his story of when he was a little boy and Mr. Neewollah moves in next door. A marble that looks like an eyeball falls out of a box that Mr. Neewollah is carrying into his house. At midnight, the little boy decides to return the marble. There is a light on in the basement and the little boy falls through the window and is confronted by his new neighbor with the crooked smile. After scaring the boy he explains that he makes monster costumes for horror movies and lets the boy wear a mask home to scare his parents. The text is broken up with the narrator asking the reader if it is getting too scary. "Is it getting too scary for you? Should I keep going?" Unfortunately, this breaks the tension and detracts from the story. He explains at the end that "Neewollah is Halloween spelled backward" just in case the reader didn't catch it. Bennett, who illustrated Seinfeld's Halloween last year is back with his unusual perspectives and a ghastly monster mask that will surely scare the timid. An audio CD is included. Reiner's voice and pacing are on spot as he reads the story. The accompanying sound effects add to the mood. 2003, A Byron Preiss Book/Little Brown, Ages 8 up, $18.95. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN: 0-316-83329-0

Turtle and Snake's Spooky Halloween
Kate Spohn
   Turtle and Snake are an odd pair, on is slim and the other slightly rotund, but they are great pals and they have decided to host a Halloween party. They develop a checklist and it is set up in a rebus style so kids with beginning reading skills can figure out what is on the list. They carefully go through each item on the list including the mailing of invitations, creating jack-o'-lanterns, snacks and the like. The real challenge and the one that many kids face is finding the perfect costume. These two end up with a matching set and have a wonderful time with their friends. The last page contains a recipe for their Spooky Pond Punch. 2003 (orig. 2003), Penguin, Ages 4 to 6, $3.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-670-03560-2

Who's There On Halloween?
Pamela Conn Beall and Susan Hagen Nip
Illustrated by Charles Reasoner
   The black cover with its cut out eyes peering at the reader give this book a bit of a spooky look. Opening it up reduces the scare level considerably. The first spread describes a typical Halloween character and asks kids to guess who it might be. "Pointed hat---With my broom/ I fly so free,..." Turning the page reveals "A WITCH!" The book continues along the same interactive mode with kids learning a bit about an owl, skeleton, bat, ghost, spider and jack-o' lantern-all the traditional Halloween symbols. Everyone has a smile in this non-threatening board book. 2003, Price Stern Sloan/Penguin Putnam, Ages 1 to 3, $4.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-8431-0510-0

To return to our most current feature on Halloween, click here.

Updated 10/1/03

To stay up to date on new books on this topic, consider subscribing to The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. For your free trial, click here.

If you're interested in reviewing children's and young adult books, then send a resume and writing sample to marilyn@childrenslit.com.

Back to Top