Halloween, 2002

   The following reviews were presented in our 2002 Halloween feature.

Reviews

Alice and Greta's Color Magic
Steven J. Simmons
Illustrations by Cyd Moore
   Alice and Greta are two young witches who have entirely different feelings about the world. Greta likes to use her magic to cause trouble for others while Alice cares about the world and creatures in it. Alice seems to be the recipient of Greta's nasty spells. What happens when Greta makes just certain colors disappear from the world? Objects, animals, and people all take on a different look. Imagine cotton candy with no pink or orange juice with no orange! Greta gets so carried away that she makes every color disappear, much to the disappointment of friends and foes. Even your best friend may not be keen on having their favorite hair color disappear. Soon the young witches are involved in a large, scale color conflict and must work together to resolve the mess. This is a cute story with a bit of a moral and also, a great lesson in the magic of colors. Add this to your Halloween collection. 2001, Alfred A. Knopf, Ages 3 to 8, $14.95. Reviewer: Barbara Youngblood
ISBN: 0-375-81245-8

The Bagpiper's Ghost
Jane Yolen
   While visiting their grandparents in Scotland, twins Peter and Jennifer discover that magic is all around them. It is in their Gran who is a white witch, and a Scottish-speaking dog that communicates with them. While out with the dog one day, they learn that the ruins of Fairburn Castle are haunted by a woman in white. The sound of bagpipes adds to the mystery. When they decide to visit the graveyard at night, Peter becomes possessed by Andrew, the ghostly twin brother of Mary MacFadden, the lady in white. Jennifer, Gran and the dog must determine the problem and free Peter quickly. Yolen obviously is well-acquainted with the Scottish countryside and its folklore. The story moves along quickly and is paced appropriately for the age group. There is a Scottish glossary in the back, which will help readers "translate" the words used by the dog, but some readers may find this distracting. This is the third book in the "Tartan Magic" series. It can stand alone, although references to Michael Scot and events in the previous books may be a bit puzzling. Of course it could also lead the reader to the other books. Thirteen-year-old Peter and Jennifer are likable but not fully developed characters. It is the action3/4the race against time, resolving the issue between Mary and Andrew, and the battle against the ghost to free Peter3/4that keeps the story moving. 2002, Harcourt, Ages 8 to 11, $16.00. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN: 0-15-202310-0

Beware! R.L. Stine Picks His Favorite Scary Stories
R.L. Stine
   One can't go wrong when reading this anthology of scary stories selected by R.L. Stine. Poems, short stories, and well done illustrations line each page. Stine includes an introductory page to each selection telling why he selected the story and why he personally likes each selection. Some of the stories are unique in the fact that they date back more than five hundred years. While most of the stories are probably not appropriate for very young children3/4due to the fact that these selections contain ghosts, vampires, witches, etc.--there are a few that are cute and humorous and not too scary. I especially like "Joe is Not a Monster" and "Blood-Curdling Story." Younger children may also like the less scary selections such as "The Conjure Brother," "Haunted," and "The Witches." For older children who really like suspenseful tales I would recommend "The Surprise Guest," "The Judge's House," and "A Sock for Christmas." Overall, I feel that Stine searched for selections that he really thought highly of and by reading his introductory words and the few works of his own that he includes, one can tell that he has a knack for storytelling and certainly is aware of what kids like to read. Any child who has enjoyed Stine's "Goosebump" or his "Fear Street" series will surely love this book. 2002, Parachute Press, Ages 6 to 10, $11.99. Reviewer: Jayme Derbyshire
ISBN: 0-06-623842-0
ISBN: 0-06-623843-9

Big Bob and the Halloween Potatoes
Daniel Pinkwater
Illustrated by Jill Pinkwater
   Geared for Level 3 (grades 1 and 2) of the "Hello Reader!" series, this is not Daniel Pinkwater at his sublime prime, but it is still Pinkwater. One need merely note the title. Yes, only a Pinkwater could cavil over the supremacy of the pumpkin at Halloween. Big Gloria, his spokesperson, does so. Big Gloria organizes a second grade protest against their teacher, Mr. Salami and his plans for a Halloween pumpkin fest. All turns out for the best, in the best of all possible worlds, when the kids choose potato costumes for the party (Tiny Tina's mound of mashed potatoes is truly smashing) and concede that the feast of pumpkin goodies is, indeed, excellent. Jill Pinkwater's nicely lumpy illustrations work in tandem with her husband's droll literary mood. 2000, Scholastic, Ages 6 to 8, $3.99. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr
ISBN: 0-439-04242-9

Bob's Halloween Party
Heather Feldman
Illustrated by Barry Goldberg
   Bob the Builder is a popular TV series and there are many spin off books from the show. In this story replete with stickers kids are invited to join the team as they prepare for a Halloween party. There are 26 reusable stickers that can be placed in the scenes. Bob and Wendy clear up the yard, then Wendy wants to get some pumpkins o she can make jack-o'-lanterns. Kids are asked to help with this and other activities, including turning Farmer Pickles barn into a haunted house and placing the final decorations in the yard. In case parents are completely stumped, the stickers have numbers near them to indicate what pages they should be placed on. However, I would just let the kids put them anywhere they want. 2002, Simon Spotlight/Simon & Schuster, Ages 2 to 4, $5.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-689-84940-0

The Bones of Fred McFee
Eve Bunting
Illustrated by Kurt Cyrus
   "There's a skeleton high in our sycamore tree, High as high can be. He was hung there by my sister and me...." Brought home from the fair and named by the children, he's only plastic, but he seems to have strange powers. On Halloween night he mysteriously disappears, and a grave appears under the tree. "When the wind howls overhead...We hear them dancing the dance of the dead-The bones of Fred McFee!" The spare verse makes a chilling read-aloud for the Halloween season, with room for speculating about what really happened. Scratch board with touches of intense color provides the organic structure for creating the trunk and branches of the old, twisted tree and the wind-tossed skeleton. Cyrus creates a mix of vignettes, focusing on details like the red wagon with its cargo of pumpkins and foot-dragging skeleton, along with full and double-page scenes with glowing jack-o-lanterns and dancing leaves. A fresh dash of Halloween spirit. 2002, Harcourt, Ages 4 to 9, $16.00. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz
ISBN: 0-15-202004-7

Boo! Baby
Margaret Miller
   The newest offering in the "Look Baby! Books" series shows 7 (including the cover) costumed faces of young children. The captions explain what each costume is: "puppy dog," "firefighter," "baby bird," "cowboy," "princess," and "ragdoll." Only the hat or headgear, not the whole costume, is visible. There are several instances where showing more of the costume would have clarified the concept for a young child. Having said that, the multicultural adorable smiling faces are perfect for babies. They are clear, up-close portraits. While the concept of Halloween is beyond their ken, little ones will enjoy pointing out and identifying the parts of the face: eyes, nose, mouth, teeth, ears, etc. With its sturdy board book format, this will be a hit with the lapsitting set who will enjoy looking at the faces all year long. 2001, Little Simon/ Simon & Schuster, Ages 6 months to 2, $5.99. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN: 0-689-84432-8

The Book of Boo!
Adapted by Marge Kennedy
Photography by John Barrett
   Winnie the Pooh is one of literature's classic characters. In this new children's book, Pooh, along with his friends, helps to teach reading in a modern way. The story takes place on Halloween and everyone is excited. Everyone but Eeyore. The rest of the group decides to try and scare him by donning scary costumes and yelling, "boo." The book is a cute read-aloud for parents of young kids. Each page contains the word "boo" as part of a rhyme and appearing in some fashion in the illustrations encouraging children to participate in the text. The book also has numerous suggestions for other educational methods of using the book (i.e. find word that rhyme with "boo"). Rather than the traditional cartoons that are normally seen, Disney has used photographs of dolls and posed and dressed them to suit the scene. While it is not a classic like some other Pooh books, it is still a cute story for little ones. Based on the Screenplay by Mitchell Kriegman. 2002, Disney Enterprises, 4 to 7, $5.99. Reviewer: Heather Robertson
ISBN: 0-7868-3364-5

Brooms Are For Flying
Michael Rex
   With a "follow the leader" format, a little witch directs other costumed children to march and stomp, peek with their eyes, reach and flap their arms, shake their bones and moan. Young listeners will enjoy following along with the actions, as well. Readers are in for a surprise when the witch directs the characters to removes their masks and she states, "Masks are for...tricking." She removes her human child mask revealing her own warty-nosed green face. The little witch then flies off on her broom to join her mother. A plain white background allows the reader to focus on the likable costumed characters, including a pirate, an alien, Frankenstein, a clown and a vampire. With a four-word sentence on each page and cartoon-style illustrations in pencil and graphic software, this is a good introduction for young preschoolers who are just becoming acquainted with Halloween. 2000, Henry Holt and Company, Ages 2 to 5, $16.00. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN: 0-8050-6410-9

Candy Corn
Kelly Asbury
   Printed on extra thick cardboard built to withstand the toughest toddlers and their teeth, the illustrations for this simple Halloween rhyme are full of triangles for little ones to discover and point out. Candy Corn, the Halloween cat, invites you to find the triangles all around. Costumed space aliens, candy corn, a vampire's teeth, and finally the rooftops at dawn as Halloween night draws to a close all fit the bill. The book has a glow-in-the-dark surprise on the front, and is one in a series of shape books, with Witch Dot (circles) and Frankensquare rectangles and squares. The illustrations are colorful and fun, not scary. 2001, Price Stern Sloan, Ages 2 to 4, $4.99. Reviewer: Dr. Judy Rowen
ISBN: 0-8431-7694-6

The Case of the Graveyard Ghost
Michele Torrey
Illustrated by Barbara Johansen Newman
   Fifth-graders Drake Doyle and Nell Fossey use detective and science methods to solve a variety of cases told in two or three chapters apiece. Each story has a science activity tangentially related to the story. For instance, the detectives improbably use baking soda and vinegar to blast Sloane, a stuck-up snob, out of her laundry chute and the activity suggested is to blast a hardboiled egg out of a tube. The facetious stories feature snappy dialogue, every child's dream of supportive parents who supply transportation and equipment with perfect trust in their children, and two foils in Sloane and her pal Frisco. Scientific principles of reflections and capillary action plus ideas about codes and illegal wildlife trade are introduced in the mystery and explored in the back matter. More hip than the Einstein Anderson prototype on which they're based, these stories appeal to readers who don't mind a little hyperbole in the telling. It's not a Halloween collection as much as a ghost-and-mystery one. 2002, Dutton, Ages 7 to 10, $14.99 Reviewer: Susan Hepler
ISBN: 0-525-46893-5

The Cheerios Halloween Play Book
Lee Wade
   Once again it is time to play with food, in this case it is the popular breakfast cereal Cheerios. Kids can put them in the recessed spaces to add glasses to black cats, buttons on several costumes and to create the open mouths of three ghosts and complete the word "BOO". There isn't much more than a series of Halloween scenes and places to put the round little Cheerios that is if they are not are all consumed by the kids before they complete the "spook-tacular" scenes. 2001, Little Simon, Ages 1 to 3, $5.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-689-84684-3

Corduroy's Best Halloween Ever
Based on the character created by Don Freeman
Illustrated by Lisa McCue
   The familiar warmth and caring of Corduroy the teddy bear is alive and well in this Halloween story. Corduroy and all his friends are gathering pumpkins, playing in the leaves, painting Halloween scenes on store windows (be ready for children to express an interest in this activity after reading the story to them!), and choosing costumes. A popular theme this season is the difficulty of the main character in making that choice. In this case, Corduroy cut and glued and sewed his own dinosaur costume. All is well until Puppy comes in very sad because his costume has fallen apart. Without a second thought, Corduroy lets Puppy climb into his own green dinosaur creation while Corduroy ends up wearing a tablecloth covered with punch and chocolate stains. "I am a ghost who just came from a Halloween party!" announced Corduroy. It's a marvelous lesson in flexibility and making lemonade when life gives you lemons. 2001, Penguin Putnam Ages 3 to 5, $3.49. Reviewer: Karen Leggett
ISBN: 0-448-42499-1

Corduroy's Trick-or-Treat
Illustrations by Lisa McCue
   Don Freeman's beloved character is popping out of a pumpkin in this shaped board book. He is off to a Halloween party dressed like a pirate. In what appears to be a haunted house he joins his friends to play pin-the-tail-on-the-black-cat and to enjoy some delicious cupcakes with strange looking toppings. The group paints rather than carves pumpkins and then head out to do a bit of trick-or-treating. A benign introduction to some of the Halloween activities using a favorite character so that kids will find some comfort during what can be a scary experience. 2002, Viking, Ages 18 mo. to 3, $5.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-670-03562-9

Curious George Goes to a Costume Party
Margret Rey and H. A. Rey
   Created in the style of the original Curious George books, this story tells how Curious George inadvertently causes a sensation at his first Halloween costume party. When he and his friend arrive at Mrs. Gray's house, George learns that it is a costume party. Since he wasn't wearing one, generous Mrs. Gray lets him find a costume in her dress-up trunk. Curious George decides to be a cowboy and while jumping on the bed to see himself in the mirror, he knocks out the lights. George ends up scared and scaring the party guests, but of course all ends well and George even wins prizes for his costumes. The plot is a little complex but should appeal to fans of other Curious George books. 2001, Houghton Mifflin, Ages 3 to 7, $3.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-618-06564-4

Dappled Apples
Jan Carr
Illustrations by Dorothy Donohue
   The brilliant colors of a Northeastern fall illuminate this charming picture book about the pleasures of the season. A rhyming text applauds the fun of apple and pumpkin picking, and then goes on to celebrate the greatest fall fun of all--Halloween. A multi-racial group of children and a dog rake leaves, pick apples, choose the best pumpkin from the patch, and cut out scary jack o'lanterns. The text is bouncy and musical, but it's Donohue's cut-paper-collage illustrations that make this book such a treat. Filled with texture and witty detail, yet grounded in young children's love of color and strong, simple shapes, the illustrations invite repeated examinations. 2001, Holiday House, Ages 3 to 7, $15.95. Reviewer: Miriam Rinn
ISBN: 0-8234-1583-X

Dial-A-Ghost
Eva Ibbotson
   This is a fun little fantasy full of ghosts both kind and terrible that ends with everyone living happily ever after. Helton Hall has fallen into the hands of a young orphaned boy, Oliver, who has two older, horrible cousins, Fulton and Frieda, who want the place for themselves. Fulton (next in line to inherit) devises a plan to bring in some perfectly awful ghosts to haunt the castle and frighten young Oliver so dreadfully that he'll leave Helton Hall forever. Two old ladies in London have a ghost-placing agency called Dial-A-Ghost Agency and it is here that Fulton turns. Miss Pringle and Mrs. Mannering, the proprietors, take pride in putting the right ghosts in the right situation. They decide to send a family of ghosts, The Shriekers, to Helton Hall because Fulton has said he wants some mean ghosts to entertain the masses when he opens the Hall to the public. Never does it cross their minds that Fulton might be up to no good. At the same time, a convent of nuns offers a ruined part of their abbey to a family of lovely, docile ghosts and the Dial-A-Ghost Agency finds the Wilkinson family for them. At the last minute, a switch of files occurs and, well, you can guess the bedlam that ensues. Nevertheless, Oliver falls in love with the Wilkinsons (the first family he's had) and they figure out what Fulton is really up to. This is a funny, somewhat predictable story, but fans of Ibbotson's The Secret of Platform 13 will love it; Harry Potter fans may find it enjoyable, too. At the end, Oliver and the ghosts outwit Fulton and they all live happily ever after at Helton Hall, which has been turned into a ghost research facility. A fun read. 2001, Dutton, Ages 7 to 10, $15.99. Reviewer: Joan Kindig
ISBN: 0-525-46693-2

Ding-Dong, Trick or Treat!
Hariet Ziefert
Illustrated by Chris Demarest
   In a rhyming text, readers join the trick-or-treaters who are ringing the doorbells seeking all manner of delicious things to eat. Lifting the flaps shows the success they have in collecting candy, juice and plenty of other goodies. There are extra dollops of humor, such as one kid telling his friend not to be so piggy of course that kid is wearing a pig costume and is happily munching a candy bar. At the end of their neighborhood rounds, they all gather at one house to have a big Halloween party. Cheery watercolor illustrations depict a happy group of kids in what appears to be a very suburban neighborhood with little ethnic diversity. 2001, Grosset & Dunlop/Penguin Putnam, Ages 3 to 5, $11.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-448-42513-0

Eek! It's Halloween!
Laura Driscoll
Illustrated by Tom Leigh
   Tutter, the familiar blue mouse from "Bear in the Blue House" TV program and books, is not so sure that he likes Halloween. It seems to be a bit scary. Bear assures him that there is nothing to fear and that they will have lots of fun at the upcoming party. Jack-o'-lanterns can be spooky, but they are also fun, and the skeleton and bat decoration may look scary but there is nothing very frightening about paper decorations. The biggest scare is when he looks out the window and sees a bunch of staring eyes, of course it turns out to be the rest of the gang all in costumes and ready for the party. The extra added-attraction to this reassuring text is the glow-in-the dark feature. The pages have been treated and when sensitized to light will give off a glow. The book, with its sturdy board pages, will stand up and can serve as a night-light. 2002, Simon Spotlight/Simon & Schuster, Ages 2 to 4, $5.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-689-85011-5

Five Haunted Houses
Judith Bauer Stamper
Illustrated by Tim Raglin
   Five stories comprise this early reader, and they have a common theme a mild scare. In the first, a brave young boy who claims he is not afraid of ghosts comes face to face with one in an old house high on a hill. The second story of a young girl who is repeatedly warned not to pull the socks off a statue offers more humor than scare, as does the third offering about a house full of ghosts frightened by a group of costumed kids out trick-or treating. The fourth story features a boy who recently moved into a new house and is frightened by a ghost each night when he goes to bed. He prevails upon his parents to move out, but "you know who" decides to tag along. The final story also offers a laugh as a young boy ends up trick-or treating with a real monster. A good Halloween selection in the "Hello Reader!" series--Level 4 for Grades 2 and 3. 2000, Scholastic, Ages 7 to 9, $3.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-439-20546-8
ISBN: 0-7868-0373-8

Five Little Ghosts
William Boniface
Illustrated by Jerry Smath
   In this familiar Halloween countdown, a variation on the more familiar pumpkin, countdown, the book opens with five little ghosts setting out to explore. The first one finds a spooky old house, the second a cemetery, the third heads off to rattle a chain on the fence at the zoo. Eventually, there is only one ghost left and he finds a perfect place to hide and then gives kids a big surprise. The special attraction in this sturdy little book is the die cut holes that reveal all the ghosts and then reduce in number along with the countdown. The ghosts are plastic and raised on the pages and could probably be pried loose with persistence, which is why the book carries a warning about its age suitability. With parental supervision, it will work fine with younger kids. 2002, Price Stern Sloan, Ages 2 to 5, $5.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-8431-4907-8

Five Little Goblins
Lark Carrier
   The die-cut pages reveal five costumed kids peeking out from behind a tree in a very spooky setting. The see bits and pieces--first a broom, then purple feet, until finally a witch and her broom are revealed. However, it turns out that it really isn't a mean old witch, just another costumed friend out for trick-or-treat. A cumulative story that will appeal to little ones, but again once the surprise is clear it may not be reread too many times. 2001, HarperFestival, Ages 2 to 4, $6.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-694-01576-8

Five Little Pumpkins
William Boniface
Illustrated by Jerry Smath
   In this familiar Halloween countdown, the book opens with five little pumpkins in a farmer's market. Along comes a little ghost and then there are four. The pumpkins are taken one by one by kids in Halloween costumes; the second to arrive at the farmer's store is a young girl dressed as a skeleton, then a young boy wrapped up to look like a mummy, a goggle-eyed alien. But the fifth little pumpkin has a very special role--it is the featured jack-o-lantern at the party where all the costumed kids and their carved pumpkins join in a fun-filled celebration. The special attraction in this sturdy little book is the die cut holes that reveal all the pumpkins and then reduce in number along with the countdown. The pumpkins are plastic and raised on the pages and could probably be pried loose with persistence, which is why the book carries a warning about its age suitability. With parental supervision, it will work fine with younger kids. 2002, Price Stern Sloan, Ages 2 to 5, $5.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-8431-4908-6

Frankensquare
Kelly Asbury
   Printed on extra thick cardboard, the illustrations for this simple Halloween rhyme are full of squares for little ones to discover and point out. The kids all stop at Frankensquare's for trick-or-treating, and receive square-shaped snacks in their square-shaped sacks. Unfortunately, some of the squares are more rectangular, so there may be some confusion while sharing this book with young children just learning to distinguish shapes. The book has a glow-in-the-dark skeleton concealed on the cover, which may be too scary for the target age group. One in a series of Halloween-themed shape books, with Witch Dot (circles) and Candy Corn (triangles). 2001, Price Stern Sloan, Ages 2 to 4, $4.99. Reviewer: Dr. Judy Rowen
ISBN: 0-8431-7695-4

Fright Night Flight
Laura Krauss Melmed
Illustrated by Henry Cole
   Our modern witch-y narrator sets out on her broom for her Halloween flight, to "...zoom/ upon my super jet-fueled broom" to pick up appropriate passengers from their spooky habitats. "There's always room" for a Vampire, a Werewolf, a Ghost, a Monster, a Skeleton, a Mummy--the cumulative rhymes adds them all to the broom. Their destination makes for a neat and funny conclusion. Cole's cartoon-y characters fill the double-page scenes with appropriately seasonal comic horror. He adds a touch of his own to the cliché Halloween standards. But his sense of humor really lets loose in several scenes. Don't miss the inscriptions of the tombstones in the cemetery, the contents of the Mad Doctor's specimen jars, and the museum display cases. 2002, HarperCollins Publishers, Ages 4 to 8, $15.99. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz
ISBN: 0-06-029701-8

Ghosts
Sylvia Funston
Illustrations by Joe Weissmann
   Here is a compilation of ghost sightings, information about ghosts and spirits, and out-of-body-experiences. As the author says "Beware! There's spooky stuff in here. Read at your own risk." What the book really does is debunk a lot of the mystery and asks readers to reflect on the real and known versus the unexplained. The section that tells about ghosts related to specific locations relates the tale of a Canadian Mountie who in 1875 claims to have seen an entire Cree campsite that had been wiped out by another tribe. Another tale tells of ghost Roman soldiers who are still said to patrol Hadrian's wall. There is a board game for kids to play, which unfortunately may only appeal to kids younger than those for whom the text is targeted. However, it is good Halloween fare. 2001, Owl, Ages 7 up, $19.95 and $9.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 1-894379-19-5
ISBN: 1-894379-20-9

Ghost At The Window
Margaret McAllister
   Ewan Dart and his parents had only lived in Ninian House for six months but they had already discovered what an unusual abode it was. The house could shift between centuries. Sometimes, it would be a chapel; other times, a castle. One evening, Ewan saw a young girl standing next to his bed, and unlike the other ghosts, she looked directly at him and pleaded for his help. It appears that Elspeth died in 1937 of diphtheria but was caught in a house shift before she could reach her everlasting resting place. Ewan is determined help her. He discovers that a former resident and the closet in his room whose door he cannot open hold the solution to Elspeth's problem. This ghostly tale of friendship and forgiveness takes place in the Scottish countryside. Damp and stormy weather set the scene and create the mood. Ewan is a likeable character in a story that moves along briskly. It is easy to envision the time warps of Ninian House that McAllister has created with just a few crisp phrases. This is a good story to curl up with on a dark and stormy night. 2002, Dutton, Ages 9 to 12, $15.99. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN: 0-525-46852-8

The Great Ghost Rescue
Eva Ibbotson
Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
   Eva Ibbotson does fantasy with a lovely, droll touch. It's a welcome British talent, and fans of her The Secret of Platform 13 will be delighted by the import of this earlier work. It's a tall(but ecologically significant(tale of the woes of Humphrey the Horrible and his extended ghost family as they lose their ancestral haunting castle to suburban sprawl. In search of a new home, they descend en masse on a dormitory of the Norton Castle School. Enter Rick, a very alive young man with compassion and a social conscience. He takes on the ghosts' cause with enthusiasm, and is soon visiting the Prime Minister in London to beg for a sanctuary for Britain's ghosts and ghouls and vampire bats. That's just the beginning of the adventure. Mad businessmen and exorcists and a lonely and perfect Scottish castle are soon added to the mix. Ibbotson has the most fun with her descriptions, though. Ecotoplasms never seemed so real; hags never smelled more exotic(and who'd have thought one could fall in love with a baby vampire bat named Rose? It's a good read all around. 2002 (orig. 1975), Dutton, Ages 8 to 12, $15.99. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr
ISBN: 0-525-46769-6

Gus and Grandpa and the Halloween Costume
Claudia Mills
Pictures by Catherine Stock
   Beginning readers can't go wrong with the Gus and Grandpa stories. The characters and situations are real and this story is no exception. Gus is really excited about Halloween but he knows that his Mom and Dad ar not going to let him have a store-bought costume and his Dad even says what is all the fus "When I was a kid we wore any old thing we could find lying around the house." Gus ponders as to what he can create. His real hope rests with Grandpa. On his weekend visit, Gus harvest the pumpkins they planted in the spring, but he also asks if there might be any costumes in Grandpa's shed which seems to be a resource for most anything. It is not the shed but a musty trunk stored in a closet that turns out to be the source of Gus' Halloween costume. It is a handmade Canadian Mountie uniform made by Gus' grandmother because his father had made such a fuss over having just the right costume. Needless to say the costume and the story are both winners. Stock's pencil and watercolor illustrations are also a perfect match for one of the heartwarming teams in children's books-Gus and Grandpa. 2002, Farrar Straus Giroux, Ages 5 to 7, $15.00. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-374-32816-1

Halloween
Alice K. Flanagan
Illustrated by Patrick Girouard
   Many ancient peoples such as the Celts and the Romans had festivals around November 1st. For many it was a celebration of the harvest or a day to make bonfires into which they tossed food to help the sun make it through the winter. By the 9th century this day became one when Christians celebrated the lives of saints and thus it became known as All Siants' Day or All Hallows' Day. Over time the eve before became known as Halloween. Most of the religious significance of the holiday has been lost and it is now a day to have fun by dressing in costumes and going out trick-or-treating. Flanagan has included short sections about witches, bats, black cats, ghosts goblins and pumpkins as symbols related to the holiday. She also makes suggestions for creative activities and those, which benefit others such as raising money for the Trick-or Treat UNICEF fund. Useful for library and classroom collections, this book is part of the publisher's "Holidays and Festivals" series. 2002, Compass Point, Ages 7 to 9, $22.60. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-7565-0086-9

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, Ages 4 to 6, $21.36. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 1-56766-955-7

Halloween
Chuck Murphy
   A bright orange jack-o-lantern grins from the cover of this board book entry in the "Razzle Dazzle Book" series. Shiny foil material gives the pumpkin its eerie grin. Inside this board book, a young boy is dressed as a ghost and a blond haired girl wears a purple witches hat. Kids also meet a green monster and black cat and vampire who all turn out to be kids in costumes getting ready to go out and trick-or-treat. The extra in this offering is the shiny foil which gives the pictures more appeal. 2000, Little Simon, Ages 1 to 3, $4.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-689-83827-1

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, Ages 5 to 9, $18.60. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-7565-0392-2

Halloween
Mari C. Schuh
   The date and a brief reference to ancient cultures that celebrated harvest festivals around this time are noted as the roots of Halloween. Nothing is really mentioned about the religious significance of All Hallows Eve, which became Halloween. Young readers will learn that Halloween symbols include black cats, witches, ghosts, jack-o'-lanterns, and the colors orange and black. Today kids celebrate by dressing in costumes, attending parties or going around the neighborhood trick-or-treating all of which is depicted in full-color photographs. The concluding pages offer a words to know section, mini bibliography and reference to Internet sites. There is an index/word list (114 words, early-intervention level: 15). Part of the "Holidays and Celebrations" series. 2002, Pebble Books/Capstone Press, Ages 5 to 7, $14.60. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-7368-0980-5

Halloween
Jerry Seinfeld
Illustrated by James Bennett
   A well-know comedian reminisces about his childhood adventures on this autumn holiday. It reads as if he took his monologue, intended for adults, and transcribed it into a 32-page book. The layout and art are appropriate for the subject matter. That is to say, they are intended for an adult audience as well. Children approach Halloween with great anticipation. It is that combined with how the event plays out that is the basis for Seinfeld's monologue. Looking back gives us a perspective we do not have at the time. Adults can recognize the cynicism, skepticism, frustration and angst in Seinfeld's voice but children will only discover futility. When he rings the bell of an elderly woman while trick-or treating, his response to her questioning what he is supposed to be is, "I'm supposed to be done by now." And he continues "I got eighteen houses on this block, sweetheart. You hit the bag, we hit the road. That's the way it works." It seems to this reviewer that Seinfeld takes all the fun out of Halloween for a child reader. Here is another example of a publisher hoping to cash in on a celebrity's name by appealing to adults with the purse strings. 2002, A Byron Preiss Book/Little Brown and Company, Adult, $15.95. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN: 0-316-70625-6

Halloween
Michele Sobel Spirn
Illustrated by R. W. Alley
   The Know-nothings, Doris, Norris, Morris and Boris (and dog Floris) are up to their usual inane antics in this easy-reader. They cannot bob for apples because they don't know Bob. They teach Floris a trick and go trick-or-treating but forget to wear costumes, and get frightened by a costume ghost. When Doris comes home in a witch outfit, they are totally confused and figure Doris has been kidnapped or changed into a chair. In the end, they have a wonderful party, even without Bob and the apples. The artwork is more detailed than most early readers, but the story is innocuous at best and ridiculous at worst. 2001, HarperTrophy, Ages 5 to 8, $3.95. Reviewer: Dr. Judy Rowen
ISBN: 0-06-444252-7

Halloweena
Miriam Glassman
Illustrated by Victoria Roberts
   Hepzibah the witch is given a human child to raise and she's clueless, but soon she's sewing outfits, planting fruit trees and beans, and trying to be a good mother. She even makes a broom with training brooms for the new little flyer for her birthday. But the child, Halloweena, wants to make friends with human children, depicted here as smiling, sappily dressed in fifties-type attire with seventies-type fabrics. Hepzibah calls her witchy friends for advice but none of it seems useful. However, when Halloweena discovers a dropped piece of candy one Halloween night, she loves it and uses a spell to make candy corn appear on cornstalks; and soon she has plenty of friends. It all tries hard to be funny but Roberts' cartoonish illustrations with plenty of extraneous detail threaten to overwhelm the plot--with cats doing crazy tricks, an inventive table saw extruding cut body parts, and a snake telephone service that begs belief. The lame ending of having a "Halloweena" party for the newfound friends a day after the real holiday ends the rambling story. There are plenty of good witch books--or good bad witch books--to read in honor of Halloween, such as Witilda, Heckedy Peg, Baba Yaga, the "Little Witch" stories, and Witches Supermarket. Select one of those and let this one fly off into the night. 2002, Atheneum, Ages 5 to 8, $15.95. Reviewer: Susan Hepler
ISBN: 0-689-82825-X

Halloweenies
David Wisniewski
   Sometimes it's better to be silly than scary. This book has enough jokes, puns, guffaws, groans and just plain outrageous Halloween stories to satisfy any elementary-age fan of the popular holiday. Let's allow some of the titles of this short chapter book to speak for themselves--"Curse of the Werewuss." "Frankenstein's Hamster," "Attack of the Space Toupees." Add a generous helping of comical black and white drawings plus characters such as General Malaise, Sir Percy Fernwhipple and his Tibetian guide, Duk Pin Bo Ling and an actress named Buffy Gerbils and you've got a volume that is bound to reap a laugh per paragraph. Wisniewski's book is presented as an old-fashioned, monster movie matinee, with the author as director and "now showing" before each chapter title. A classic, it's not, but this book is a fine encouragement for reluctant readers. Try taking this along on campouts to read around the campfire. Or challenge students to come up with their own monstrously silly tales--voilà!--a painless creative writing assignment. 2002, Harper Collins, Ages 7 up, $4.99. Reviewer: Judy Crowder
ISBN: 0-06-000513-0
ISBN: 0-06-000515-7

Halloween Activities
Fiona Watt
Illustrated by Molly Sage
   Monster mouths, dancing skeletons, dangling spiders, spooky witches and wizards are just a few of the clever and creative Halloween projects young children can do with this activity book. Colorful illustrations accompany well-written, step-by-step instructions for each of the 17 projects. The activities span a wide range of abilities and amount of adult supervision required. Making hand -printed spiders and painting a spooky sky are two of the easier activities, while baking monster mouth cup cakes and designing party invitations clearly require more adult involvement. Several projects help children design their own Halloween costumes. The enticing cover of this oversize paperback book will grab children's' attention immediately. And many of the activities could easily become holiday traditions. The text, which includes over 50 stickers, would be a welcome addition to home and school libraries. 2002, Usborne Publishing, Ages 3 to 9, $8.95. Reviewer: Jeanne K. Pettenati
ISBN: 0-7945-0211-3

Halloween Book of Fun
Edited by Jeffrey A. O'Hare
   Full of mazes, jokes, word searches, hidden picture puzzles, mystery stories, dot-to-dot and other activities, this book will keep kids' minds off the Halloween candy for a while. Different skills are required, from keen observation to careful following of directions to creative imagining. For example, how many words of more than three letters do you think you can create from the letters in Halloween? There are forty-eight according to the answer key at the back of the book. An excellent choice to amuse the kids while driving to the pumpkin patch! 2001, Boyds Mills, Ages 5 to 10, $7.95. Reviewer: Dr. Judy Rowen
ISBN: 1-56397-959-4
ISBN: 0-689-82270-7

Halloween Colors
Carla Dijs
   When we think of fall certain colors come to mind. The same is true of Halloween--orange, yellow and black are certainly the most prominent. In this board book with shiny pages and what looks like computer generated art, you kids are faced with a scary image such as a black cat peering out from the page. The cat is actually a mask, which when flipped, reveals a smiling young girl. The next image is a pirate all in blue, then an alien in red, followed by a Frankenstein-type monster in yellow and a green dragon. No orange in this book, which struck me as strange. The cast is a multicultural one and the happy faced children behind the masks should dispel any fears. The color lesson is there so the book can be used at times other than Halloween. 2002, Cartwheel/Scholastic, Ages 1 to 3, $6.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-439-40355-3

The Halloween Costume Hunt
Kim Watson
Illustrated by Bernie Cavender
   Little Bill has been invited to a costume party. He wonders what he should be. Family members suggest that there are lots of things around the house that could be used for a costume. Little Bill starts looking in cupboards and drawers and borrows things from Mom, Dad, his brother and sister. Each page offers a flap that reveals items that Little Bill uses in his costume. On the day of the party, Little Bill arrives in a costume that he has created and it really is pretty clever. After seeing the end result, kids will go back and look at the items under the flaps a bit more closely. Based on the Nick Jr. Little Bill series. 2001, Simon Spotlight, Ages 2 to 4, $5.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-689-84254-6

Halloween Countdown
Jack Prelutsky
Pictures by Dan Yaccarino
   Prelutsky's text is taken from his 1977 book entitled It's Halloween. It joins one of many books celebrating this kid-favorite holiday by counting down. Once again it is ghosts, but this board book starts from ten with "ten ghosts in the pantry" and continues to reduce the numbers from various locations in the house until there is only one, and his final Boo will not be much of a scare. Yaccarino's style is readily recognized and the pallet is light, as is the tone. This ghostly counting book can be used with kids, and parents need not have any fears of bad dreams or even a mild scare. 2002 (orig. 1977), HarperFestival, Ages 2 to 4, $6.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-06-000512-2

Halloween Hats
Elizabeth Winthrop
Illustrated by Sue Truesdell
   Hats are the focus and kids are depicted wearing every imaginable type from black pointy witches hats, to tall top hats, paper hats, crowns, straw hats and even helmets to provide protection should a costumed creature dressed like a ladybug fall over and need help getting up. There is rhythm and rhyme in the words but the pictures are what make this book. Truesdell's loose watercolor illustrations range from full page to insets, and they are the real Halloween treat in this book. They brim with humor and will make you tip your hat at all the clever things that she manages to put in her illustrations. It will be fun for kids who love dress up and especially the grand finale where all those costumed kids throw their hats in the air for a big swap. 2002, Henry Holt, Ages 3 to7, $15.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-8050-6386-2

Halloween Is...
Gail Gibbons
   Completely reworked art and slightly expanded text from the 1984 Halloween gives this update a brand new look. Gibbons covers the history of the holiday, customs surrounding it, and the reason for symbols such as spirits, jack-o'-lanterns (a miser named Jack carrying a hollowed-out turnip trying to find heaven), and black cats. A sign of the times, this version carries a warning about always having an adult accompany trick-or-treating. Watercolor illustrations are brightly detailed, looser and less stylized than the previous edition, and include plenty of costume ideas for the careful observer. Instead of Gibbons' near-patented last page of boxed informational tidbits, this one has a response-generating "Boo." You can never have enough Halloween books and this one belongs on the holiday shelf even if you already have the first edition. 2002, Holiday House, Ages 4 to 10, $16.95. Reviewer: Susan Hepler
ISBN: 0-8234-1758-1

Halloween Night
Arden Druce
Illustrated by David T. Wenzel
    Simple rhymes ask questions about the creatures and characters that hang about on the night that is supposed to frighten, at least a little. Witches and ghosts, owls, spiders and bats, all are playing their parts, but the children are ready to have the most fun of all. Wenzel's double page scenes depict each character but also include a clue pointing to the next, an extra youngsters should enjoy. His watercolors are packed with typical images of Halloween produced with a naturalism that adds to their effectiveness, and with details that encourage scrutiny. 2001, Rising Moon, Ages 3 to 6, $14.95. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz
ISBN: 0-87358-797-9

Happy Halloween
Michelle Knudsen
Illustrated by Rusty Fletcher
   In this sturdy board book, kids are invited to a haunted mansion at the edge of town for a Halloween party. The skeletons, witches and ghosts all arrive and everyone seems to be having a very good time. None of the faces or expressions are menacing, most have a big smile and each spread has something shinny and tactile to attract little ones. So come one and all you're invited to a spooky, shimmery monster Halloween party. Part of the "Sparkle 'n' Shimmer Book" series. 2001, Little Simon, Ages 1 to 3, $5.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-689-84401-8

Happy Halloween, Emily!
Claire Masurel
Illustrated by Susan Calitri
   Part of the "Reading Railroad Books" early reader series, this is a simple tale for younger children about the joys and potential fears of Halloween. As her classroom prepares for the festivities, Emily is concerned about being scared. Talk about horrible monsters and spooky ghosts at the upcoming Halloween parade gives Emily Bunny some trepidation. Her friends and parents work hard to make her enjoy the day. And she does. Masurel uses word repetition to build early reading skills, and Calitri's drawings are bright and cheerful--although it really is a little difficult to distinguish one bunny from another. 2002, Grosset & Dunlap, Ages 3 to 6, $3.49. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr
ISBN: 0-448-42691-9

Haunted House
Jan Pienkowski
   A pop-up haunted house is certainly an appropriate choice for Halloween. In this book the opening spread has a set of creaky stairs complete with a ghost in the closet under them and a spider hanging from the second story landing. Monsters lurk everywhere. And there are lots of pull-tabs, flaps to open and wheels to turn to reveal them. Take care that the gator in the tub doesn't get you or worse perhaps, the monster under the toilet seat. There is plenty to watch out for and goodness, please don't go up into the attic, that is unless you are really brave. Not for all kids, especially those who are sensitive, but for those who like yucky and slightly scary stuff, this will probably be a big hit. 2001, Dutton, Ages 5 to 7, $9.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-525-46802-1

The Haunted States of America: Haunted Houses and Spooky Places in All 50 States
Joan Holub
    Heading out for a trip? Perhaps you would like to visit someplace a little different. Holub has created the definitive listing of spooky places in every single state and some of the Canadian provinces. In Maryland, it is Baltimore and a visit to the U.S.S. Constellation where a ghostly captain carrying a sword and wearing an old navy uniform roams the decks of this decommissioned ship. In Virginia, visitors can head for Charlottesville to enjoy a ghost party at Michie Tavern which is now a museum and a restaurant. Some of the places that are haunted are famous such as The Alamo, Mammoth Cave and the White House; others are probably better known to local residents. Good fodder for telling stories and making ordinary sightseeing a bit more hair-raising. 2001, Aladdin, Ages 8 to 12, $4.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-689-83911-1

Haunting on a Halloween: Frightful Activities for Kids
Linda White
Illustrated by Fran Lee
   Here's everything you need to think about for Halloween projects, in clear directions with some surprising new ideas and some comfortable old ones. Directions for carving a pumpkin, for instance, are complete, but also include a table of eyes, noses, and mouths to inspire something other than the cheerful triangle shapes usually carved. The costuming suggestions rely on making it yourself and there's a face-paint recipe that makes use of food coloring. But users beware, as you may have to wear that colorful demeanor for a day or two before it wears off. Images (bats, witches, black cats, Dracula, ghosts, skeletons) for wall and window decorations, chair backs, goodie bags, mobiles, and ways to display them are included for inspiration, or for enlarging on the copier. Food ideas include two ways to roast pumpkins seeds, a wonderfully gross "Kitty Litter Cake" that relies on Tootsie Rolls for authenticity, ideas for frozen hand-shaped ice in the punch, chocolate "witch hat" cookies, and other clever party ideas. In fact, the books ends with directions for a party, and half the delight for the reader of this book is deciding what activities to do before the guests get there and what to let the guests do for the fun of it. The slick, computer-generated graphics are adequate if flat-looking, format is easy to follow, diagrams are clear, and the whole thing ends with suggestions for making haunting sounds and some dreadful and punny jokes to tell. All in all, it's a fun read and a good choice for making your own Halloween fun. 2002, Gibbs Smith, Ages 6 to 12, $9.95. Reviewer: Susan Hepler
ISBN: 1-58685-112-8

Hauntings & Horrors: The Ultimate Guide to Spooky America
Daniel Cohen and Susan Cohen
   With at least one story from each state and the District of Columbia, the Cohens present a variety of ghosts, apparitions, aliens and mysterious happenings. There are ghosts of well-known people, such as Abraham Lincoln, naval hero Stephen Decatur, Chief Joseph, and mobster Bugsy Siegel. A smell like a military field hospital in the jungle was reported at the site of Andersonville Prison. The accounts are short - one or two pages - making this accessible to reluctant readers. After the story, there are directions to the locale. The reader can use the table of contents to find scary sightings in his part of the country. In many instances, the reader will catch a glimpse into the culture and history of the region There is an index that includes place names as well as people. In their introduction the Cohens ask, "Did they actually happen?" They respond by saying, "Welllll-probably not. Everybody loves a good story, and some tend to get better over time." This will be popular all year round. 2002, Dutton/ Penguin Putnam, Ages 11 to 14, $9.99. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN: 0-525-46900-1

Hexwood
Diana Wynne Jones
   Diana Wynne Jones has been sending fantasy from England into the world for twenty-five years. It is not mere fantasy, though. Sometimes thoughtful, sometimes delightful, sometimes hilarious, her books transcend the genre and are a joy to read for all ages. It's a pleasure, then, to read this reissue of one of her more serious stories. While convalescing from an illness, Ann entertains herself by spying on the activities of her village from her bedroom window. Odd things seem to be happened at the gates to Hexwood Farm. Well at last, she walks into the adjoining park and is plunged into an alternate world. It is a world of Reigners from another galaxy, re-vivified corpses, and curious time lapses. This is possibly Jones's most intricate plot, and it takes a while for the reader to decide if he/she is going insane, or merely the characters. But the general insanity is riveting, and rest assured that Jones logically sorts it all out in the end. 2002 (orig. 1993), Greenwillow, Ages 12 up, $16.99. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr
ISBN: 0-688-12488-7
ISBN: 0-06-029888-X

Hoodwinked
Arthur Howard
    No self-respecting witch would want a pet that is cute and cuddly. So when Mitzi searches for a pet she wants something that is really, really creepy. At Cackle & Company the lady with a short green nose and long blue teeth had just the thing...a toad named Mumps. Unfortunately, Mumps was only interested in bugs, not Mitzi. She needed a pet who would prowl with her and one with whom she could share her deepest secrets. Bats did not make good pets either and Mitzi was not sure she wanted to try a warthog. All of her creepy relatives have creepy pets and poor Mitzi was getting desperate when an adorable pet found her. Mitzi soon learns that looks are not everything! Even very young children will think Mitzi is cute and so is Hoodwink, her lovable pet. Howard's upbeat prose is coupled with delightful color drawings. 2001, Harcourt, Ages 3 to 7, $16.00. Reviewer: Laura Hummel
ISBN: 0-15-202656-8

Horrible Harry at Halloween
Suzy Kline
Pictures by Frank Remkiewicz
   The irascible Harry is back. Each year, he appears in class on Halloween with the scariest costume. What will it be this year? Everyone tries to guess, but Harry just smiles and laughs. The class can hardly concentrate since they are looking forward to Halloween. First, they must complete science experiments with water. Not too surprisingly, someone ends up all wet and Harry is at least partly at fault. Finally the big day arrives, and as usual Harry is the last to arrive. His costume has everyone astounded--it isn't quite what they expected. Pen and ink drawings of Harry and the other children are sprinkled through the text. 2000, Puffin, Ages 7 to 10, $3.99. Reviewer: Dr. Judy Rowen
ISBN: 0-14-130675-0

Horror at the Haunted House
Peg Kehret
   Ellen Streator reluctantly agrees to become part of a haunted house to raise money for the local historical society. As soon as Ellen enters the mansion, she is struck with a cold, eerie feeling. However, the house is beautiful, and Ellen becomes enamored with the antique Wedgwood collection once belonging to the mistress of the house. The tension builds from there as Ellen must discover the mystery of the ghost who seems to be haunting the mansion--and her! Young readers will enjoy this suspenseful story reminiscent of the old "Nancy Drew" series. 2002 (orig. 1992), Puffin/Penguin, Ages 8-12, $5.99. Reviewer: Debbie Gingerich
ISBN: 0-14-230146-9
ISBN: 0-525-65106-3

How Do You Know It's Halloween?
Dian Curtis Regan
Illustrated by Fumi Kosaka
   These ten riddles present the symbols and sights of Halloween: a jack-o'-lantern, a bat, a trick-or-treat bag, a spider, an owl, a black cat, a skeleton, a witch, a ghost and a haunted house. The text simply describes the object while the illustration gives a clue to the answer hidden behind a flap on the right-hand side of the page. Children will enjoy finding all but one of these on the final double-page spread where the two children are going trick-or-treating. The reader will be as surprised as the characters when a ghost appears behind the last flap. Excitement, wonder and fear are evident on the faces of the little boy and little girl. Friendly little frogs interact with the children on each page and soften the spookiness, making this appropriate for young listeners and a good introduction to the holiday. 2002, Little Simon/Simon & Schuster, Ages 2 to 5, $6.99. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN: 0-689-84570-7

I Double Dare You: More Stories to Scare You
Kathleen Keeler
Illustrated by Bob Doucet
   Much like the book by Kevin O'Malley entitled Velcome, this "Hello Reader" Level 3 targeted for grades 1 and 2 offers a slightly scarey opening story. This one is about a young girl dressing up in a witch costume and while out trick-or-treating she meets up with a real witch. That is a pretty scary experience. The book cautions readers who have made it through the first story that the next is even scarier. Sara is watching a monster movie and when she goes to bed she starts hearing scratching and scraping sounds. She captures the scary creature who frightens her, but her Dad is in for the real scare. The text then challenges readers to read the last and what is supposed to be the scariest story. A young boy is off on a Halloween dare with his brave dog Elroy. This story has more humor than scare. Actually the second and third stories both have humor and it is only the first one that is a bit eerie. Fine for kids who enjoy telling or hearing scary stories while safe at home or among family and friends. 2002, Cartwheel/Scholastic, Ages 6 to 8, $3.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-439-32255-3

In a Dark, Dark House
Illustrated by John Gianchi
   With yet another variation on a familiar story, this die cut board book retells the tale of a dark, dark house and a boy who bravely enters and begins to walk up the stairs. The pages are dark toned but not really dark. There are rats watching and spider webs galore, but nothing seems to deter our brave lad from entering a dark, dark room and then opening a dark, dark closet only to discover that his scoundrel of a little brother has gotten into his Halloween stash. One might wonder about Mom's housekeeping with the rats and spider webs all around, but for kids that will find this board book appealing, those issues will not matter. 2002, Grosset & Dunlap, Ages 2 to 4, $4.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-448-42818-0

In A Dark, Dark Wood: An Old Tale with a New Twist
David A. Carter
   "In a dark, dark, wood, there was a dark, dark, house." Thus begins this popular jump story. It will effectively scare the listener with its lime green ghost that pops up on the last page and appears to go toward the reader. The simple text, intended to be read slowly and quietly, is accompanied by illustrations in dark and muted tones. Once inside the house, the angled perspectives give the impression that something is amiss. The glowing eyes of a black cat and those within a knight's armor, along with white moonlit shadows and a dark shadowy hand further add to the spookiness. This is a favorite story of children in the primary grades. Carter's pop-up edition will be popular. 2002 (1991), Little Simon/ Simon & Schuster, Ages 5 to 8, $10.95. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN: 0-689-85280-0

In Search of the Perfect Pumpkin
Gloria Evangelista
Illustrated by Shawn Shea
   Searching for a perfect, unbelievably scrumptious pumpkin for the perfect pumpkin pie has been quite a challenge for the Pucci family. The first year's pumpkin, purchased at the local grocery was good, but not the "Giants-winning" or "school- closing" kind of pie. In following years, they tried a pumpkin patch and an organic farm. The pies they made were good, but not the "melt in your mouth, gotta have another piece" kind. Soon the Puccis discover that the secret to the best pumpkin for pies is right in their own backyard! Colorful, cartoon-like illustrations and imaginative analogies accompany the pumpkin search. Also included are fun and interesting pumpkin facts. Did you know that pumpkins are the largest fruits in the world and they were once thought to be useful in removing freckles? Reading the book aloud and making a pie from the recipe in the book would be great fall fun. 2001, Fulcrum Publishing, Ages 4 to 10, $17.95. Reviewer: Laura Hummel
ISBN: 1-55591-994-4

John Pig's Halloween
Jan L. Waldron
Illustrated by David McPhail
   For children (or parents) who find witches and goblins far too scary and negative, Jan Waldron brings you John Pig's Halloween, in which a warm and mothering witch helps John Pig cook up pumpkin tarts and "witch made witch cookies with raisins for eyes". John Pig's fears about this scary night dissolve in bowls-full of Halloween goodies that come bouncing right out of the oven and into the hands of a whole cast of hungry, dancing monsters. David McPhail brings a masterful sense of spooky color, frivolous detail and rip-roaring silliness to each illustration: it would be well worth the effort to spend some time looking for the little surprises on each page - all the crazy Halloween hats on parade or the different moods generated by the characters' eyes. Since all the frivolity with the monsters happens at night, John Pig ends up enjoying not only Halloween, but sleeping soundly in the dark, "no longer afraid." An excellent holiday read-aloud. 1998, Puffin Books, Ages 4 to 7, $6.99 Reviewer: Karen Leggett
ISBN: 0-14-056836-0

The Kingfisher Book of Scary Stories
Compiled by Chris Powling
Illustrated by Peter Bailey
   Ten top-notch children's book authors have contributed tales to this collection: Ann Turnbull, Ruskin Bond, Robert Hull, Adèle Geras, Chris Powling, Faustin Charles, Anthony Masters, Susan Price, Sid Fleischman and Vivien Alcock. Two are book excerpts(Alcock's Siren Song and Fleischman's The Ghost on Saturday Night), and the others are original stories written for this collection. They take the reader on a world-wide trip through the settings that include India, Barbados, Jerusalem, the British Isles and the United States. Some are shivery, some have surprise endings, and some will cause the reader to giggle. In the first story, Michael conjures up the devil in the shape of a black dog who won't go away. The Bravest Man in the World is a humorous tale of a young man who outwits three ghosts. Some teach life lessons about greed and character. Recommended especially for sleep-overs where the stories will be read aloud. This was first published as a hardback in 1984. 2002 (orig.1984), Kingfisher, Ages 9 to 12, $10.95. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN: 0-7534-5389-4

Knock, Knock It's Halloween
Betty Schwartz
Illustrated by Barry Gott
   The board book with its pumpkin knocker goes along with the more than twenty knock-knock jokes. It is the usual play on words and groaners but ones that kids who are playing with language seem to love. For example "Knock, knock. / Who's there?/ Ice cream./Ice cream who?/ Ice cream, "Boo!/ It's Halloween!"" Well, you may not scream or chuckle out loud, but the kids will. It is all good fun and has a nice tame look at Halloween rather than anything spooky. Fine for young kids and older ones who will get the humor. 2002, Little Simon, Ages 1 to 6, $7.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-689-84691-6

A Know-Nothing Halloween
Michele Sobel Spirn
Illustrated by R. W. Alley
   The Know-nothings, Doris, Norris, Morris and Boris (and dog Floris) are up to their usual inane antics in this easy-reader. They cannot bob for apples because they don't know Bob. They teach Floris a trick and go trick-or-treating but forget to wear costumes, and get frightened by a costume ghost. When Doris comes home in a witch outfit, they are totally confused and figure Doris has been kidnapped or changed into a chair. In the end, they have a wonderful party, even without Bob and the apples. The artwork is more detailed than most early readers, but the story is innocuous at best and ridiculous at worst. 2001, HarperTrophy, Ages 5 to 8, $3.95. Reviewer: Dr. Judy Rowen
ISBN: 0-06-444252-7

Make Your Own Halloween Treats!
Sonali Fry
Illustrated by Judith Moffatt
    This board book comes with more than thirty-five reusable stickers, and that is the good and the bad. The stickers are to be placed on the pages to decorate a cake, cookie, cupcakes, and a pie. There are even two scenes where kids can put apples in the bucket for bobbing or add candy to the costumed trick-or-treaters goodie bag. All of the stickers are bright and will make tasty looking Halloween treats. Unfortunately, once the stickers are gone, the book may lose its appeal. 2001, Cartwheel/Scholastic, Ages 3 to 5, $6.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-439-28278-0

The Moffats
Eleanor Estes
Narrated with a full cast
   Written in 1941, The Moffats is the story of four irrepressible children living with their widowed mother in a yellow house on New Dollar Street. Janey, the narrator of the story, chronicles the adventures and misadventures of the family as they try to make ends meet. Despite being poor, this close-knit family pulls together and clears any hurdles put before them. The story has one hilarious vignette after another as Janey and her siblings prepare to scare the town bully on Halloween, take a horse and carriage ride from a Salvation Army captain, and find themselves in a face-down between two trolley cars on the same track. Throughout the book, a cloud hangs over the children as their rental house remains on the market. When it is sold, will life change for the Moffat children or will their outlook on life remain the same? The Moffats makes a wonderful read aloud so the availability of an audio recording was welcome. While the quality of the recording itself is good, the narration is weak overall. The full cast works well if the performances are even but in this case, they are not. This results in a story that feels disjointed. While still an opportunity to hear the book read aloud, the problems in the performance make it less than ideal. 2002, Full Cast Audio, Ages 8 up, $21.95. Reviewer: Joan Kindig
ISBN: 0-977540-7-1

Monster Goose
Judy Sierra
Illustrated by Jack E. Davis
   This set of rhymes "typed out on her lap top computer" by Monster Goose is appropriate for Halloween, or any other time kids want to be grossed out. Whether it's "Little Miss Mummy" who "kept all her guts in jar" or "Jack Sprat" who has an unfortunate accident with some fat, gasoline, and his pipe, all these variations on the familiar should please most of the students with a sense of humor who enjoy a touch of the grotesque. Not for the delicate stomachs of any age, but Davis's imagination clearly thrives on such fabrications as killer potatoes, drooling zombies, and bath-tub piranhas. Each rhyme's double-page acrylic and colored pencil illustration is filled with comic-book creations visualized in wildly exaggerated detail. 2001, Gulliver Books/Harcourt Inc, Ages 5 to 8, $16.00. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz
ISBN: 0-15-202034-9

Monster Mischief
Pamela Jane
Illustrated by Vera Rosenberry
    "On Halloween, for trick or treat,/five monsters mixed a stew to eat./They mixed it in a garbage can/and laughed about their clever plan/for making monster stew." Each monster brings a creepy or crawly treat...a spotted frog, a spooky bat, a hairy spider, and a green lizard. Unfortunately, the curious small monster, Little Moe, arrives empty-handed and while climbing on a chair to see the creation, Moe spills the stew. All the goodies skedaddled into the night leaving five sad and hungry monsters. Suddenly there is a knock at the door announcing a sixth monster shouting "Trick or Treat" and carrying a huge bag of something even yummier than monster stew. Written in bouncy rhyme with glowing watercolors, this tale will capture the hearts of all who love the magic and mystery of Halloween. 2001, Atheneum Books/ Simon & Schuster, Ages 3 to 8, $ 16.00. Reviewer: Laura Hummel
ISBN: 0-689-80471-7

Movie Science: Forty Mind-Expanding, Reality-Bending, Starstruck Activities for Kids
Jim Wiese
Illustrations by Ed Shems
    What do movies have to do with chemistry, physics, and the law of nature? Well, according to the author plenty!! The author shows us some of the great tricks-of-the-trade, so to speak, of the movie industry. Just in time for Halloween are recipes for fake blood, scabs and other gory visual effects. Each of the forty projects also involves a complete scientific explanation of what makes it work the way it does. I found it quite fun and it definitely gives the reader a new look at the latest movie you are watching. If I ever decide to watch "Psycho" again, I'll definitely be telling myself "It's only chocolate syrup" during the infamous shower scene. Young readers might have fun viewing some of the movies mentioned in the book just to make sure they see what the tricks were after they have read about them. Most projects can be completed with minimal cost and effort. Some budding producer will use this book for the basis of a stunning career. 2001, John Wiley & Sons, Ages 8 to 13, $12.95. Reviewer: Barbara Youngblood
ISBN: 0-471-38941-2

Ms. Broomstick's School for Witches
Jana Dillon
Illustrated by Rebecca McKillip Thornburgh
   Although Pandora is the last to enter Ms. Broomstick's school for young witches, she is an eager student. So eager, in fact, that she doesn't listen to all the directions before starting her task. Thus, she falls off her broom and turns her kitten into a skunk. When it is time to clean up and go home, Pandora accidentally bumps into the basket of toads and they fall to the floor. An exhausted Ms. Broomstick says to Pandora, "You fill our school night with surprises." Pandora is a charming little red-haired witch in a green witch's hat and matching green dress. Although she is a witch, readers will recognize her as the spunky classmate who is always trying to be one step ahead of the teacher. The friendly-faced Ms. Broomstick never loses her smile. Thornburgh has taken care to add special touches to the full color illustrations. A sign on the wall says, "Fly Safely," The grandfather clock has a spider for its pendulum and a watch on its wrist. The light-hearted approach in this Halloween story makes it perfect for scaredy-cats who want something seasonal but not spooky. 2001, Troll, Ages 4 to 7, $3.95. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN: 0-8167-7224-X

The Mud Monster's Halloween
Michael Rex
   Each page contains only one word in this "Word by Word First Reader." What makes it better than most is that the words are not all nouns, but a combination of nouns verbs-all nicely listed on the inside back cover. The very simple text tells the story of a young boy who heads home and decides to dress up as a cowboy for the Halloween costume contest. He decides to take a short cut and is frightened by the sound of the hooting owls in the woods. He starts to run, trips and falls into the mud and at the same time picks up a bunch of leaves and twigs. When he finally reaches the school he is a scary sight and even wins first prize for his most original costume. Those first learning to read will gets lots of help from the pictures, which are quite well done for such a simple book. These new readers will soon be breezing through this story and ready to move on to more complex texts. 2002, Cartwheel/Scholastic, Ages 3 to 5, $3.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-439-33492-6

No Zombies Allowed
Matt Novak
   The snaggle-toothed and warty-nosed witches in this story have decided that they want to host another monster party. As Wizzle and Woodle start preparing they come upon pictures from the previous year's party. It reminds them that some pretty awful thing happened at the party-the zombies dropped their eyes in the punch, the werewolves soughed up furballs and the swamp creatures tracked slime all over the house. As they discover each picture they prepare signs and post them in the yard-no zombies allowed, , no werewolves allowed, no swamp creatures allowed. Finally they see pictures of themselves up to mischief themselves sprinkling a love potion over the snake snacks and turning everyone into frogs. As they reflect on it, it wasn't really a bad party, so they quickly build a bonfire and get rid of all the signs and once again the party begins-only this time no photos are allowed. It is amusing, both in the art and the text, but the joke may not warrant numerous rereadings. 2002, Atheneum/Simon & Schuster, Ages 3 to 6, $16.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-689-84130-2

On Halloween Night
Harriet Ziefert
Illustrated by Renée Andriani
   The very silly cartoon illustrations as well as the black pages with brightly colored text set this book apart visually from many of its Halloween counterparts. Youngsters may even be inspired to create elaborate borders on pages they write themselves. In this rhyming story, Emily is gathering all the elements for a witch's costume each item written in a different color and repeated in the style of "this is the house that Jack built": "This is the skirt that grandpa bought...to go with the cape that grandma brought for Emily to wear on Halloween night." The cumulative rhyme begins again when Emily begins collecting goodies: "This is the treat that came from the boy who answered the bell that Emily rang on Halloween night." Children will very quickly be able to read along, anticipate the next sentence and then replace the colored words with words describing their own costume and trick or treating. 2001, Puffin Books, Ages 3 to 7, $5.99. Reviewer: Karen Leggett
ISBN: 0-14-056820-4

On Halloween Street: A Lift-the-Flap Story
Matt Novak
   What looks like a youngster with a pointed hat, red hair and a normal costume turns out to be more than meets the eye. The same is true of all the people that he meets while trick-or-treating. Kids lift the flaps of each costumed character to see who is really trick-or-treating on Halloween Street and why the little fellow just can't seem to collect any goodies. The ending is a surprise, but once read; the book may not have enough appeal for repeated visits. 2001, Simon & Schuster, Ages 2 to 4, 7.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-689-84514-6

One Terrible Halloween
Mary Labatt
Illustrated by Troy Hill Jackson
   The seventh story in the "Sam, Dog Detective" series has Jennie and Beth scaring themselves silly over the idea that ghouls may emerge this Halloween since they're supposed to appear every hundred years and carry away children. When four white-faced, ghoul-like creatures inhabit the nearby Catherby's house, the children are sure this is ghoul-central and are further convinced when a doorbell ring produces a series of eerie effects, both visual and audio. However, in the long payoff, they finally discover that the four are part of a rock band about to play at the local high school Halloween dance and that everyone has overreacted. The Catherbys, grandparents to one of the band members, offer everyone Halloween candy with a special snack for Sam. As in other books in the series, Sam the sheepdog continues his smart repartee, rendered here in italics, and Jennie represents his thoughts to her friend Beth. No real illustrations but a changing icon-like rendition of Sam the sheepdog decorates the chapter beginnings and a cartoon balloon reveals a snappy comment. Lovers of talking dog stories, light mysteries, and series books will find enough in this to keep reading. It does take a long time to get to the finish, however, 2002, Kids Can Press, Ages 8 to 10, $12.95. Reviewer: Susan Hepler
ISBN: 1-55337-138-0

Porkenstein
Kathryn Lasky
Illustrated by David Jarvis
   Lasky has some fun with her takeoff of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Dr. Smart Pig is brilliant but lonely since the Big Bad Wolf gobbled up his two brothers. In honor of the upcoming Halloween, he decides to create a companion for himself. As with all mad scientists, Dr. Pig's first few experiments go awry. A pig fish? A pig bat? Yet he perseveres. His final creation is a monstrous pig that eats everything in sight(including, of course, the Big Bad Wolf. All's well that ends well, and the two new friends head off for a night of trick-or-treating. Lasky's narrative is simple but much bolstered by newcomer Jarvis's work which boldly takes over each two-page spread. His pigs are far from cuddly, but they do command attention. 2002, Blue Sky Press/Scholastic, Ages 3 to 6, $15.95. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr
ISBN: 0-590-62380-X

The Problem with Pumpkins: A Hip and Hop Story
Barney Saltzberg
   The problem in this story is not new, but pumpkins give conflict resolution a holiday twist. Hip the hippo and Hop the rabbit are a pair of friends in a new series that one could liken to the Pooh-Piglet friendship, minus the bits of worldly wisdom and memorable phrasing that make A.A. Milne a classic. The problem with pumpkins in this case is that both Hip and Hop want to dress up as a pumpkin for Halloween. Hop promises to give Hip all his green M&Ms if she will dress up as something else--anything else. The search for anything else includes a lot of silliness along with a few tears and groans. The happy conclusion is that there is really nothing wrong with two friends both dressing up as pumpkins, especially if one has a happy face and the other has a scary face. Saltzberg's cartoon illustrations are simple and colorful; young trick or treaters will especially identify with the back cover, where Hip and Hop are lovingly surveying every last treat that finally tumbled from their bags. 2001, Harcourt, Ages 4 to 8, $14.00. Reviewer: Karen Leggett
ISBN: 0-15-202489-1

Pumpkin Day!
Nancy Elizabeth Wallace
   This is a wonderful book for families about to embark upon their annual "pumpkin hunt" at the local pumpkin patch. Creatively organized, this book informs the reader of a pumpkin's growing cycle through the story of a rabbit family's visit to the farm. One not only learns about the stages of a pumpkin's development, but also about the many varieties of pumpkins, different pumpkin based recipes and pumpkin jokes. The jokes appear on garden posts in the midst of growing pumpkins and the recipes pop up just when the rabbit family sits down for a fall feast. All of the information is cleverly presented so that the reader almost misses the fact that the book is a great learning resource. The illustrations are paper collages crafted with scissors and glue; they delight as much as the story. Do not pass this one up, especially if a pumpkin is coming to your house soon. 2002, Marshall Cavendish, Ages 3 to 8, $16.95. Reviewer: Andrea Sears Andrews
ISBN: 0-7614-5128-5

Pumpkin Eye
Denise Fleming
   Simple rhymed couplets evoke the exciting and anticipatory mood of Halloween night in which "Trick or treat, pounding feet, jack-o'-lanterns line the street." Fleming's signature illustrations of paper pulp poured through stencils glow with deep night colors and are set off with bright orange pumpkins, yellow hair and the huge, full harvest moon. Challenging vocabulary ("wretched witches roam the street"..."clacking bones/muffled moans") will appeal to independent trick-or-treaters, while younger hand-holders will respond to the slightly scary word choices (tattered, toothless, eerie, hissing, swooping). The repeated phrase of pounding feet conveys the excitement of running from house to house in the night as "Halloween has found our street." A great read-aloud for the season's story hour, and a semi-scary but ultimately friendly reminder of the childhood joys of being out and about on this special holiday, disguised but a little bit scared by others' disguises, and getting candy. 2001, Henry Holt, Ages 4 to 8, $15.95. Reviewer: Susan Hepler
ISBN: 0-8050-6681-0

Pumpkin Moon
Tim Preston
Illustrated by Simon Bartram
    It's Halloween, and midnight, and from the very few words of large-type text scattered through the pages it's hard to say exactly what happens. But hundreds of jack-o-lanterns from all over seem to be gathering for a celebration party, for "Anything can happen under a pumpkin moon." There's a weird pumpkin-orange moon on the cover, overlaid with a shimmering pumpkin face on the jacket, high above a small country town, to introduce the double-page surreal scenes. Bartram's melodramatic groups of sculpturesque people and jack-o-lanterns are somberly lit. When the masses of glowing, cut-out pumpkins take to the air it is spookier than David Wiesner's frogs and pigs in his Tuesday. The end result is a puzzled town, with room for reader speculation. 2001, Dutton Children's Books, Ages 3 to 8, $16.99. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz
ISBN: 0-525-46713-0

Pumpkin Moon
Tim Preston
Illustrations by Simon Bartram
   October 31st brings out tricks and pranks from all Halloween enthusiasts, but this year the real party doesn't begin until after midnight when all the trick-or-treaters are asleep. Jack-o-lanterns from every front porch soar into the night sky to join witches and ghosts on a haunting adventure. Down highways, through the woods, and into the city no place is safe from these creatures that fill the midnight sky. The next morning late night truck drivers and 24 hour grocery store clerks are left wondering if what they saw really did happen or just a bad dream. The surreal illustrations are superb and add to the suspense of this book. 2001, Dutton Children's Books, Ages 3 to 5, $16.99. Reviewer: Sharon Tolle
ISBN: 0-525-46713-0

Plumply, Dumply Pumpkin
Mary Serfozo
Illustrated by Valeria Petrone
   Peter, a tiger digitally rendered in a furry line and bright contrasts of purple, green, and orange, searches for the perfect pumpkin. Rhyming text has fun with the sounds of words including a few stretches for preschoolers ("Not some squat, lopsided pumpkin,/but a glossy lot of pumpkin"). When he finally chooses one, what will he do? Draw a face on it and with the help of his dad, carve a simply dimply, dumply face. While the pumpkin wins a prize at a county fair, it really doesn't need one. Isn't everyone's Halloween pumpkin a perfect jack-o-lantern? Young children will like the quiet story, the rolling words, and the friendly-faced tiger and his dad preparing for Halloween without any of the scary baggage that is so often present. 2001, McElderry, Ages 2 to 6, $12.95. Reviewer: Susan Hepler
ISBN: 0-689-83834-4

Room on the Broom
Julia Donaldson
Pictures by Axel Scheffler
   The witch loses her hat, leading to a series of misadventures, each of which adds another passenger on her broom. The combined weight finally snaps the broom, leaving the witch at the mercy of a mean, hungry dragon. She is saved by her clever flying companions, and the jolly verses end with them all flying happily together on a larger, "truly magnificent broom." In large, colorful, action-filled scenes and vignettes, Scheffler depicts an appealing pigtailed witch, a benign landscape, and a magical world in a humorous, cartoon-y style. Even the final confrontation between the dragon and the "horrible beast" of her friends is conceived for fun, not fright. 2001, Dial Books for Young Readers, Ages 4 to 8, $15.99. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz
ISBN: 0-8037-2657-0

The Scariest Monster in the Whole Wide World
Pamela Mayer
Illustrated by Lydia Monks
  That "scariest monster" is what Thea Dawhickey wants to be for Halloween this year. Her overachiever parents have other ideas, for they are eager for her to win first prize, but Thea is adamant. Fortunately Grandma arrives and solves the controversy in an amusingly clever way, to everyone's satisfaction. Monk's acrylic paint, paper montage, and color pencil illustrations add visual zip to the rather straightforward text. Her cartoon characters need few props; a few lines and the placement of eyeballs are enough. Preprinted papers fashion butterfly wings, clothing, father's photo of a nose. There is a "be yourself" moral in this realistic tale with the odd-ball visual fun. 2001, G.P. Putnam's Sons, Ages 3 to 7, $15.99. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz
ISBN: 0-399-23459-4

The Scary Sleepover
Ulrich Karger
Translated by J. Alison James
Illustrated by Uli Waas
   All week the children prepared their classroom for their Halloween sleepover party. When the big night arrived and the children were brushing their teeth, the discussion turned to being afraid of ghosts. Mary said, "my father taught me a trick so I won't be afraid." She told her classmates how he gave her a star to protect her. After they turned out the lights and lit their jack-o-lanterns, put on their costumes and raced around the room, the teacher read them a story. When it was time to go to sleep, and her classmates were all just a little bit scared, she shared with them another trick - just keep the light on! With its combination of imaginative and practical measures for dealing with fear of the dark, this book is certain to be popular with children. The most boastful of the children becomes the most afraid. The Halloween setting with masks and long shadows in the dark is the perfect backdrop for this discussion. The illustrations present happy-faced children as they create their costumes, carve pumpkins and prepare the room for their party. It is a warm and safe environment with a soothing ending for anyone afraid of the dark. 2002, North-South Books, Ages 4 to 7, $15.95. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN: 0-7358-1712-X
ISBN: 0-7358-1713-8

Scary Street
Christine Tagg
Illustrated by Charles Fuge
Pop-ups by Richard Ferguson and Mat Johnstone
   On Scary Street, every day is Halloween. The brief rhymes introduce each of nine lively pop-ups-mummy, witch, ghost, Dr. Frank N. Stein, and other unpleasant creatures. The final page reveals a surprise participant in the frightful fun. The pop-ups spring high from the page, or open wide with spikey teeth, or sip a glass of blood through a straw. The movables are set in contexts conceived by Fuge, which add appropriately obnoxious characters and details like bottles of Vampoo, Discomfort detergent, and a Ghost Office pin on the mail carrier. Solid craftsmanship, inventive design, more appealing than frightening. 2001, Little Brown, Ages 4 to 10, $14.95. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz
ISBN: 0-316-25606-4

Skeleton Hiccups
Margery Cuyler
Illustrated by S. D. Schindler
   Skeleton woke up only to discover he had the hiccups. His friend Ghost, attired in a backwards baseball cap, tells him to try several cures, such as to eat some sugar and drink some water upside down. When they fail, Ghost attempts to scare the hiccups away. It isn't until he brings out a mirror that Skeleton is cured. Schindler's wonderful, fragile-looking skeleton is painted against a dark background. He wakes up in a bed that has a tombstone as the headboard. The brief text is enhanced by the creative sight jokes. For example, Skeleton brushes his teeth and his lower jaw pops out; he polishes his bones and his left arm bones detach; and as he eats the sugar, it falls out through his ribcage. Words and pictures come together to create an off-beat tale that will tickle the funny bones of primary grade children. 2002, Margaret K McElderry/ Simon & Schuster, Ages 5 to 8, $14.95. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN:0-689-84770-X

Space Dog Jack and the Haunted Spaceship
Susan Schade and Jon Buller
Space Dog Jack receives an urgent message from his pal on Earth to save them from the Blob. They discover that there really was no huge Blob just a projection from what appears to be a haunted spaceship. To get even with this group of nasty aliens, Space Dog Jack and Earth Dog Bob try a little reverse scare tactic of their own. Then they join the neighborhood kids for en evening of trick-or-treating. Not a particularly impressive story and one that probably will sit on the shelf after its initial reading. As with other books in the "Hello Reader" series, this Level 1 offering for preschool to grade 1 opens with a page of advice regarding the development of reading skills. The inside covers list more titles in the series. 2001, Cartwheel/Scholastic, Ages 3 to 6, $3.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-439-32315-0

The Spider and the Fly
Mary Howitt
Illustrations by Tony DiTerlizzi
   The poem is more than 150 years old, but the message to children that "not everyone who talks sweetly offers sweets" is sadly truer than ever. The message in this new edition is told with spooky fun dramatized by Tony DiTerlizzi's silly but imaginative drawings, all in shades of black, white and gray. Youngsters might wonder about a picture book with no color, but black is indeed the color of Halloween. There are marvelous details to point out to children, such as the looking glass that is really a bottle cap, the curtains that are butterfly wings or the various delicacies spread out on the spider's dining room table. The 19th century language of the original poem will necessitate explanations of such phrases as "give heed" and "unto an evil counselor," but the book will be marvelous for a simple storytime--and not exclusively at Halloween--or a reading animated by discussion of either the message or the artwork. 2002, Simon and Schuster, Ages 4 to 8, $16.95. Reviewer: Karen Leggett
ISBN: 0-689-85289-4

Spike at Halloween
Gail Herman
Illustrated by Cristina Ong
   Spike is a dinosaur who is having a hard time deciding what to be for Halloween. He gathers colored paper for each potential costume that captures his imagination--red for a stop sign, green so he could be a tree, orange when his mother brings him an orange. Finally he decides to be a rainbow. A second story in the same book has Spike ready to decorate a jack-o-lantern, but the pumpkin keeps getting damaged when Spike drops it or whacks it with his tail. Finally he just makes pumpkin pie. There's a "make lemonade when you've been given a lemon" moral here, but nothing special to hold a new reader's interest. By the time they are able to read the text, children will know their colors and be interested in much flashier costumes than being a tree or an orange. The softly colored, illustrations are warm and friendly but there is a lack of variety in both the colors and character expressions. 2002, Grosset & Dunlap, Ages 3 to 5, $3.99. Reviewer: Karen Leggett
ISBN: 0-448-42692-7

Spookier Than a Ghost
Karen Gray Ruelle
   Harry and his sister Emily are looking forward to Halloween. Harry loves the treats and Emily the costumes. She has big plans this year and wants her costume to be a real surprise. There is a lot to do before the big day--they helped Mom bake cookies, decorate lollipops with ghosts, and when Dad draws spooky pictures, they tape them on the windows. The whole family takes part in carving pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns. Harry works on his dinosaur costume and with Emily's help it turns out just great. Emily, however is not happy her costume didn't turn out as she wished. Harry offers consolation and because of his support and kindness, Emily earns lots of extra treats which she naturally shares with her brother. The illustrations are delightful and appear on every spread of this easy-reader. What is a particular treat for readers is a story that emphasizes sibling solidarity and support rather than rivalry. A "Holiday House Reader," Level 2. 2001, Holiday House, Ages 6 to 8, $14.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-8234-1667-4

Squashed
Joan Bauer
   Like sixteen-year-old Ellie Morgan's father, Joan Bauer is a motivational specialist. Her heroines are sweet, feisty, funny, and ready to give their all for their occupations of choice. It might be photography or selling shoes-or in the case of Squashed, attempting to grow the largest pumpkin in Iowa. Fresh on the heels of receiving a Newbery Honor, Bauer's first book is back in print and very welcome. No matter that her plot lines are indistinguishable. What does matter is the overriding sense of humor Bauer brings to her characters. Only picture the perpetually twenty-pounds overweight Ellie hovering protectively over six-hundred pound Max (not a pumpkin, not even a vegetable but a full-blown character in his own right) during a hailstorm, dreaming of romance. Of course she finds romance, and captures pumpkin thieves, and ends gloriously victorious over her pumpkin-growing nemesis. It's to be expected. What's not to be missed are the delightfully raucous one-liners and tongue-in-cheek asides along the way. Bauer leaves you smiling and feeling good about life's possibilities. That's quite an achievement in today's world-and healthy for readers of all ages. 2001 (orig. 1992), G.P. Putnam's Sons, Ages 12 up, $16.99. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr
ISBN: 0-399-23750-X

Sweets and Treats
Toni Trent Parker
Photographs by Earl Anderson
   A group of kids are smiling and yelling "Hooray! Hooray!, Halloween is Here!" it is their favorite holiday. They get to wear fancy costumes and of course there are lots of goodies to eat. Each photograph shows a very attractive African-American child in costume and the text relates something about who he or she is supposed to be. For example a young boy with a patch over one eye and a cutlass in his hand is a one-eyed pirate while the next page shows a sweet faced girl with a crown, scepter and fancy dress. She naturally is a fairy princess. A good choice for libraries with a need for books that reflect their community. 2002, Cartwheel/Scholastic, Ages 1 to 3, $6.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-439-33871-9

The Three Little Witches Storybook
Georgie Adams and Emily Bolan
   The British team of Adams (writer) and Bolan (illustrator) have created a perfectly charming storybook that brings to mind the wonderful early nonsense of Enid Blyton. Innocence and mischief are combined in the narrative chapters that introduce the three little witches(Zoe, Zara, and Ziggy(and their enchanted world. Yes, they use magic spells to clean their little house, but like the Sorcerer's Apprentice, it soon becomes obvious that the job would have been accomplished much more easily without the magic. It wouldn't have been as much fun, though! In their Magic Wood the schoolhouse walks to a new home each day; shooting stars are used to pacify the local bully; pet bats are caught at the goblin-run supermarket. Best of all, breakfast is Frosted Frog Flakes and magic milk shakes. Words and pictures are perfectly in tune, and the book is a joy from cover to endpapers. 2002, Hyperion, Ages 3 to 7, $15.99. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr
ISBN: 078680824-1

Tuck's Haunted House
Martha Weston
   Tuck was transforming the garage into a haunted house when his little sister, Bunny, appeared. She wanted to help, but Tuck told her, "You'll just mess things up." To keep her from interfering, Tuck gave her some toilet paper to add to the mummy. Bunny soon became tired and lay down to sleep. Tuck was so busy he didn't notice where she was sleeping. The guests arrived and found the haunted house to be very scary First there were spooky sounds and then something began to rise from the Monster's Coffin. Even Tuck himself had to agree that Bunny was right when she said she could be scary. These little porcine siblings strike just the right note with their interplay. Children will identify with the big brother - little sister relationship. They will join Tuck and Bunny in their excitement over Halloween. Weston's illustrations are full of movement. As Tuck is creating the haunted house, the background is white. When his friends arrive, it changes to dark, murky colors. The book will work well in a Halloween storyhour as well as a lap book shared by parent and child. 2002, Clarion, Ages 3 to 7, $14.00. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN: 0-618-15966-5

'Twas the Fright before Christmas
Judy Sierra
Illustrated by Will Hillenbrand
   On this Christmas Eve, not a creature is stirring except the mouse. The other creatures are dozing--a dragon, a manticore, zombie, fiend, cat, werewolf, bat, and mummy. Their slumber is disturbed through a chain-reaction series of events that are finally traced to the mouse. The mouse finally sails away in a sleigh after leaving presents--perhaps that explains how Santa can fit down the chimney! The monsters appear more friendly than monstrous, and there are humorous touches such as the stockings hung by the chimney. It is hard to imagine the niche for this hybrid Halloween/Christmas book, but it certainly is unique. 2002, Gulliver/Harcourt, Ages 4 to 8, $16.00. Reviewer: Dr. Judy Rowen
ISBN: 0-15-201805-0

Up Pop the Monsters 1 2 3
Carla Dijs
   Several other Halloween books have counted down from five (Five Little Pumpkins, Five Little Ghosts) or ten (Halloween Countdown), but this one counts up from one to ten. Some of the pop-ups when moved take away the scare and reveal a smiling child behind the scary mask. The vampire is fairly obviously a kid in costume. When the final page is reached all ten of our costumed kids are gathered together and they can be counted all over again. The pop-ups are reasonably sturdy and kids will have fun with them. 2002, Cartwheel/Scholastic, Ages 2 to 4, $6.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-439-37474-X

Vampire State Building
Elizabeth Levy
   The latest addition to Levy's Sam and Robert Bamford Books finds eleven-year-old Sam in a marathon chess match with Vlad, his Romanian Internet friend. Tension arises when Vlad turns up in New York City for an international chess tournament. Sam is in a snit because Vlad never admitted his master status, while Sam's younger brother Robert and flamboyant cousin Mabel decide Vlad must be a vampire. He's from Romania, isn't he? And what about those signs? Vlad is allergic to garlic, and won't look in mirrors, and he does turn his opponents strangely pale. Youngsters will enjoy the sibling rivalry and not too scary elements of the story. They might learn a little about chess and Romania along the way, too. 2002, HarperCollins, Ages 7 to 10, $14.99. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr
ISBN: 0-06-000054-6

Wee Witches Halloween
Jerry Smath
   On Halloween, little witches hatched from pumpkins, all fully clothed including pointy hats. Before they can create any mischief they must attend Scaring School. There they learn how to screech and how to scare as well as lessons in flying on their brooms. After a day's training they are ready to set out fully equipped with a black cat riding on the tail of their brooms. These witches spot a fair and try screaming Boo to the crowd, but no one seems to play the slightest bit of attention. Then it is off to a Halloween parade and still no luck in creating any mayhem. Instead they end up winning a prize for their costumes and finally the tables are turned when the trick-or-treaters scream Boo too. Not really scaring and the only part that may confuse kids is having the witches hatch from the pumpkins. Parents will need to explain that this and the whole story is just make believe. 2002, Cartwheel/Scholastic, Ages 3 to 5, $3.50. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-439-36740-9

Which Witch is Which?
Judi Barrett
Illustrated by Sharleen Collicott
    If you are not sure "which witch has an awful itch," study the pictures carefully. It is not the one looking smug, or the one with the pug, or the one doing a jitterbug. The witch on a rug has the back scratcher. The witch which caused a glitch has accidentally unplugged all the computers and the one flicking a switch has the only flashlight in the swamp. Each page has colorful wildly-dressed witches in various animal forms. There are many barnyard animals, as well as wildcats and salamanders. Children will enjoy pouring over the richly detailed illustrations rendered in gauche to find the right witch. Each guessing-game question rhymes with witch and the clues, also in the form of questions, are sure to spark vocabulary development. Imaginative, humorous, and whimsical, characteristic of Barrett's style, along with glowing illustrations, will make this a book to revisit again and again. 2001, Atheneum Books/ Simon & Schuster, Ages 4 to 8, $$16.00. Reviewer: Laura Hummel
ISBN: 0-689-82940-X

Witch Boy
Russell Moon
   Marcus has a special sense where he can wish people and objects to other locations. Tomorrow he is leaving, but he wants one last fling with his childhood friend and sweetheart, Jules. They go to the woods and, in the middle of The Act, Jules becomes a man and yet calls for Marcus in a distant voice. Marcus fights him to get to Jules. He runs to reach her and hears sirens. Another high school boy has driven into the river and everyone believes Jules was with him. Her body is never found. Marcus believes that somehow he did this to Jules. At his new home, a circle of friends that has special powers like his takes him in. He learns he is the youngest member of the Cern tribe and his quest is to propagate the tribe by mating with another member. Making love with someone outside the tribe, like he did with Jules, will result in unendurable pain. Talk of sex is very prominent in this book and Marcus is continually frustrated and asking questions that are vaguely answered. This is the first of a trilogy. 2002, Harper Tempest, Ages 17 up, $6.95. Reviewer: Janet L. Rose
ISBN: 0-06-440795-0

The Witch Casts a Spell
Suzanne Williams
Illustrated by Barbara Olsen
   The illustrations are the prize in this Halloween version of the traditional children's song, "The Farmer in the Dell." Barbara Olsen's mixed media creations use a an abundance of textures and fabric along with bright colors and a flat, primitive drawing style to give young readers lots to explore. Figure out the words spelled haphazardly in the lower border on each page; check out all the different ways a tree can be filled with leaves; read the tombstones and then check out every little thing on the party table. The exuberant variety in the illustrations is unfortunately not matched by the text. Children may enjoy singing this seasonal variation on a familiar tune, but the rhythm is not always smooth and verses are not always creative. The refrain will likely be difficult to sing--"such sights are seen on Halloween"--but that could either be frustrating or simply send a group of children into a chorus of giggles. 2002, Dial Books for Young Readers, Ages 3 to 7, $14.99. Reviewer: Karen Leggett
ISBN: 0-8037-2646-5

Witch Dot
Kelly Asbury
   Printed on extra thick cardboard built to withstand the toughest toddlers and their teeth, the illustrations for this simple Halloween rhyme are full of circles for little ones to discover and point out. Witch Dot is having a Halloween party, with lots of treats shaped like circles - popcorn balls, bobbing apples bubbles to pop. The book itself is roughly circular, with a glow-in-the-dark surprise on the front. Even the font continues the theme, with very rounded letters. The book is one of a series of shape books, with Candy Corn (triangles) and Frankensquare. The illustrations are colorful and fun, not scary. 2001, Price Stern Sloan, Ages 2 to 4, $4.99. Reviewer: Dr. Judy Rowen
ISBN: 0-8431-7696-2

The Witches Handbook
Rachel Dickinson
   This seems to be a big year for witches and this little handbook is chock full of information. The opening chapter asks if you are a witch and offers ways to test yourself. There us a Federal Witch Identification Exam, a page to list the reasons why you might be a witch, information about famous witches such as those from the Wizard of OZ and the TV program Bewitched, there is even a two page spread listing good witch characteristics and a similar one for bad witches. Chapter two describes witches in history and how those women who often knew herbal remedies and could help heal the sick were often considered witches. One of the more interesting sections of this chapter is the description of witch holidays. The next chapter deals with essential equipment such as a broomstick and how to make one, obtaining a familiar, and a wand. Chapter four describes magic symbols and spells with step-by-step instructions and the proper words to use for a few magic tricks. The last chapter offers more resources for those who want to do more reading about witches or watch some movies and TV shows. There is also a glossary and pages for a journal and another to create an identification card. Fun for older kids who know that this is a spoof and will find the compilation amusing. 2002, Price Stern Sloan, Ages 8 up, $7.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-8431-4917-5

Word Bird's Halloween Words
Jane Belk Moncure
Illustrated by Chris McEwan
Word Bird makes a word house, and since the theme is Halloween, the house is a pumpkin. He puts Halloween words (pumpkin, jack-o'-lantern, black cats, scarecrow, witches, brooms, etc) into this collection. Each page usually has one word and pictures that relate to it. The opening spread reads "Halloween October 31," and it shows pictures of many things that one might see on Halloween night. There is also a wall calendar with the date circled. The final spread recaps all of the words found in the book accompanied by small inset pictures taken from the illustrations. The final page urges kids to make their own Halloween word house and to think of even more words to put in it. The art is innocuous and unlike some of the other characters in the book, Word Bird never seems to change his expression. Part of a series that addresses holidays, seasons, vowels and more. 2002, Child's Play, Ages 4 to 7, $21.36. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 1-56766-627-2

You Monsters Are in Charge
Jill Sardegna
Illustrated by Kees Moerbeek
   While the monsters in this counting book do not have any specific relationship to Halloween, it is a book that can easily fit in with the holiday theme. Mama has left the monsters in charge and it is their job to keep the baby amused until it is time for her to go to bed. The pages have a fold up section which when pulled down reveal the pop-up scenes. They are garish with a blue monster mama in a yellow dress and a green, blue, yellow, pink and purple monsters and all other colors of monsters all try to tend to a very pink baby in a white diaper. There efforts seem doomed to failure-they play the xylophones, dance, pick flowers, tell knock-knock jokes and jump and skate. Nothing seems to please this baby. The pictures get more and more crowded as a new monster is added to the scene. It will not be easy to count all of the monsters as the number increases because they overlap each other, but kids may find the whole bit amusing because all it takes is a bottle and a little rocking to get baby to go to sleep. 2002, Little Simon/Simon & Schuster, Ages 2 to 4, $12.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-689-84675-4

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Updated 10/1/02

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