Celebrate Halloween
Halloween's origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future. For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort and direction during the long, dark winter.
To commemorate the event, Druids built huge sacred bonfires, where the people gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities. During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and attempted to tell each other's fortunes. When the celebration was over, they re-lit their hearth fires, which they had extinguished earlier that evening, from the sacred bonfire to help protect them during the coming winter.
By A.D. 43, Romans had conquered the majority of Celtic territory. In the course of the four hundred years that they ruled the Celtic lands, two festivals of Roman origin were combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain. The first was Feralia, a day in late October when the Romans traditionally commemorated the passing of the dead. The second was a day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple and the incorporation of this celebration into Samhain probably explains the tradition of "bobbing" for apples that is practiced today on Halloween.
By the 800s, the influence of Christianity had spread into Celtic lands. In the seventh century, Pope Boniface IV designated November 1 All Saints' Day, a time to honor saints and martyrs. It is widely believed today that the pope was attempting to replace the Celtic festival of the dead with a related, but church-sanctioned holiday. The celebration was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas (from Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints' Day) and the night before it, the night of Samhain, began to be called All-hallows Eve and, eventually, Halloween. Even later, in A.D. 1000, the church would make November 2 All Souls' Day, a day to honor the dead. It was celebrated similarly to Samhain, with big bonfires, parades, and dressing up in costumes as saints, angels, and devils. Together, the three celebrations, the eve of All Saints', All Saints', and All Souls', were called Hallowmas.
Halloween is a holiday of costumes, pumpkins, witches, ghosts, haunted houses and trick-or-treating. But what exactly is the history behind this frightful holiday? Where did these strange traditions originate? Today in America it is traditional to celebrate the holiday by throwing a party in which the guests dress in costume. At these parties people participate in games, play Halloween themed songs and decorate their homes, especially windows and doors with pictures of ghost and witches. Halloween themed music with spooky sounds helps to set an eerie mood. At these parties games such as bobbing for apples are played and spooky ghost stories might be shared. Bobbing for apples is a game in which the goal is to obtain an apple from a large bin of apples in water; however one could only use their mouth in order to acquire the apple. This game is related to the celebration of the harvest, a Celtic tradition.
Today's association of ghosts with the holiday is not far off from the traditions of Samhain or All-Hallows Eve belief. The ancient festivals honoring the dead revolved around the belief in ghosts mingling with the living. Therefore it is appropriate that ghosts are so often linked to contemporary celebrations. However, the tradition of trick-or-treating and costumes are a little less rooted in early holiday practice. Door to door trick-or-treating began in America however, it was most likely taken from festival parades in Europe. During these parades poor citizens would beg for food. Modern day trick-or-treating is most commonly practiced by children who walk door to door asking for candy. They customarily say "trick or treat" in anticipation that they will be given a treat which is most likely candy.
Today, dressing in costume is also a very popular way to celebrate the spooky holiday. Dressing up in costumes relates to the Celtic tradition of wearing masks on All-Hallows Eve. People would disguise themselves so that they would be unrecognizable to ghosts. Today dressing in costume is very popular and ranges from ghost and witch costumes to trendy costumes such as famous characters.
Taken from the History Channel and www.ez-tracks.com/history_of_halloween.htmlReviews
Abandoned Insane Asylums
Dinah Williams
Some places have a high potential to be both frighteningly horrific and disturbingly ghastly. The eleven abandoned insane asylums discussed in this edition of the "Scary Places" series can do both. For example, the Christian Church Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, was home to Dr. Robert Patterson in 1927. Dr. Patterson specialized in performing lobotomies on asylum patients. (According to the glossary, lobotomies are "surgical procedures meant to calm violent people; a sharp instrument [Dr. Patterson used an ice pick] is forced into the brain through the eye socket in order to cut some of the nerve connections in the patient's brain.") With ice picks in eye sockets, who wouldn't think that this asylum abandoned in 1975 would be home to a number of ghost stories (although the building itself was turned into apartment buildings). Too bad there isn't more details to find out if ghosts actually roamed the building verses just the stories about the building. Other stories of insane asylums tell of fires killing patients, a grave digger who was too sad to completely leave, patients that died in the attics, and more creepy stories. Although there aren't as many "ghost" stories as there are "creepy" stories, this book will sure to inspire a ghostly story or two. 2008, Bearport Publishing, Ages 8 to 14, $25.27. Reviewer: Joella Peterson
ISBN: 1-59716-575-1
ISBN: 978-1-59716-575-4
Beastly Rhymes to Read After Dark
Judy Sierra
Illustrations by Brian Biggs
This spare little book is a delightful romp chock-full of "beastly" little poems sure to tickle the fancy of bug-and-gore lovers everywhere. Colorful illustrations of - among other creatures - a toilet-based crocodile, a giant squid, and several howling baby werewolves enhance eleven rhyming poems. Educators might find these poems particularly pleasing to peruse during the Halloween season, as that holiday is the subject of several odes. Other classroom tie-ins include geography ("The Lavatory Crocodile"), the food chain ("Lonely Giant Squid" and "Pet Show"), and alliterations ("Twisted Tongue Restaurant"). The vocabulary is strong enough that individual poems could easily be isolated and used in mini-lessons or centers. Although marketed to the early primary set, this book would no doubt delight the right readers well into the early middle school years. Purchasers should note that while the furry green-and-white polka dot covered edition would add a certain panache to one's personal library, the standard library print edition would definitely be the version of choice for librarians, educators and others anticipating the impact multiple handlings will no doubt have on this wonderful book of very juvenile poetry. 2008, Random House Children's Books/Alfred A. Knopf, Ages 5 to 8, $12.99. Reviewer: Kris Sauer (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-375-83747-0
ISBN: 978-0-375-93747-7
Bed, Bats, & Beyond
Joan Holub
Illustrations by Mernie Gallagher-Cole
Most children love Halloween and adults are always looking for new material for this holiday. This tongue-in-cheek tale is sure to delight both. A young bat named Fink is trying hard to settle down to sleep, but is unable to do so. His brother Fang, decides that a scary story about Swamp Owl is the solution. When the tale ends, poor Fink is even more wide awake. Older brother, Batrick is sure his account of Captain Batty and his band of pirates will make Fink drowsy. But now Fink is so excited by this adventure that he is not the least bit sleepy. Sister Batsy's is also unsuccessful with her tale of Princess Cleobatra and Prince Tutwinkle. Rescue comes from Mom Bat's bedtime story and lullaby. Cever wordplay, such as: "Walk the Tank!"; "batberry cake" and "batnapping" will surely result in lots of giggles. Humorous black and white illustrations are a delightful accompaniement and add to the fun. Purchase this book and enjoy it with your young patrons at a Halloween storytime. 2008, Darby Creek Publishing, Ages 7 to 9, $14.95. Reviewer: Sylvia Firth (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-58196-077-8
Boogie Knights
Lisa Wheeler
Pictures by Mark Siegel
What is a prince to do. The noise in the ballroom is keeping him awake, so off he goes with his candle in one hand and teddy in the other to check it all out. In rhyming verse we meet a potentially scary cast of characters—werewolves, zombies, mummies and witches. But the illustrations by Siegel tend to have a humorous touch rather than anything scary. Kids will be amused at the antics of all these creatures who have arrived for the Madcap Monster Ball. They make so much racket that the knight sleeping away upstairs are awakened and one by one join in on the fun. Sir Veillance comes down to investigate and discovers a discotheque in the living room. Sir Prize decides to join in and when he appears he lets out a big BOO! Kids who are a little older will get the humor in the knights names and will watch as a little princess ghost feels sad because she has no one to dance with until the young price looses all his fear and grabs her hand to join in all the fun. An amusing story that will make Halloween fun for those who may be just a tiny bit afraid of what may be lurking in the bushes, behind the curtains or anywhere after dark when they may be out trick-or-treating. 2008, Atheneum/Simon & Schuster, Ages 4 to 7, $16.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-689-87639-4
ISBN: 0-689-87639-4
Can You See What I See? On a Scary Scary Night: Picture Puzzles to Search and Solve
Walter Wick
Wick's genius at involving readers in his creations is proven once again in this collection of double spreads featuring: a spooky village, a scary night sky scene, a scary town's aerial view, a scary street, a forbidding house on a hill, a scary castle interior, a scary cupboard, a scary shelf, etc. You get the idea that this is one "scary" book, but you know that it is one people will spend hours poring over to locate all of the items listed in the side panel rhymes. The back matter describes how Wick changes the focus from general to the very specific and that while "...some objects are not what they first appear to be, most things aren't as scary as they first may seem." Having opened the book with a long shot leading up a road to a "haunted castle," Wick has one's eye travel past a village and town, and then, as the pages are turned, the reader finds the images becoming more and more specific all the way to a particular shelf in the castle. Of course, there are the requisite ghosts and ghoulies included in all of the miniature items that make up the intricate pictures created by this talented artist. Be sure to visit his fabulous web site: www.walterwick.com for more information on how this master of photography and digital manipulation creates his detailed images. 2008, Scholastic, Ages 5 up, $13.99. Reviewer: Sheilah Egan (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-439-70870-8
ISBN: 0-439-70870-2
Creepy Castles
Sarah Parvis
When a reader thinks of a classic horror movie setting, often a reader envisions some dark, mysterious castle full of ghosts and other haunts. In this volume of the "Scary Places" series, Creepy Castles examines eleven of the most chilling (and historical) horror backdrops. Even though most of the castles are in the British Isles (nine out of the eleven—only Dracula's castle in Romania and the Hachioji Castle in Japan are not), readers will enjoy the variety of reasons why the castles are considered to be so "creepy." For example, one castle is makes the list because the queen was locked away (and maybe became a werewolf) for 30 years. Another castle was made famous by the discovery of the piles of bones of enemies or workers the castle's family didn't want to pay who were thrown into a dungeon to starve to death. One of the most well-known castles is the Tower of London, where many people lived, were imprisoned, and killed (such as the beheaded Anne Boleyn). With such short entries on each castle, readers will undoubtedly want to learn more about their favorite creepy stories. A glossary, bibliography, index, and map (that shows the biased nine castles in one area) are also included. 2008, Bearport Publishing, Ages 8 to 14, $25.27. Reviewer: Joella Peterson (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 1-59716-576-X
ISBN: 978-1-59716-576-1
Diego's Halloween Party
Brooke Linder
Illustrations by Art Mawhinny
Diego and his pet, Baby Jaguar, take off on an adventure. The Animal Rescue Center is hosting a Halloween party, but five of the guests have not arrived. Diego invites the reader to join Baby Jaguar and him in an effort to locate a bat, a wolf, a crocodile, a tarantula, and a jaguar. The team looks in environmentally appropriate places to find the animals and the author tells the reader a little about the habits of each of these invited party guests. This is the fourth book in a series called "Go, Diego, Go!" The books in the series are meant to be read by adults to small children. In this book, the author failed to show any relationship between wild animals and the concept of 'animal rescue shelter,' an institution which generally targets homeless domestic animals. Why present unnecessary misinformation to young children about the most common use of animal shelters? The author also failed to show any relationship between the animals and Halloween. For example, the author could have exploited the concept of camouflage, an idea which we borrow on Halloween Eve. Wild animals utilize 'costumes' in order to protect themselves against real predators and to encourage other animals to give them food-treats, activities in which we engage in our Halloween fantasies. Readers might have delighted in the opportunity to see realistic pictures of animals known for their survival disguises and to then try to discover the animals embedded in their habitats. As it is, the writing in this Diego book lacks rhythm, parallelism, and textual consistency. The art work lacks both realism and charm. Both are adequate but uninspiring. 2008, Simon Spotlight/Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing Division, Ages 1.5 to 3.5, $5.99.
Reviewer: Ali Fell (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-4169-5497-2
ISBN: 1-4169-5497-X
Elliot's Park: Haunted Hike
Patrick Carman
Illustrated by Jim Madsen
Three Squirrel Scouts, Daisy, Autumn, and Lefty, take a haunted hike through Elliot's Park on Halloween night with their scout leader, Ranger Canyon. Determined to earn badges by completing the hike to Camp Canyon, by wearing the best costume, and/or by sharing a scary story at the campfire once the hike is over, the three young squirrels meet up with Elliot, Crash, Chip and other squirrels, which make the hike even more interesting. When Daisy thinks she sees a ghost during the hike, the fun really begins. Part of the "Elliot's Park" series, this text offers the organization of chapters, playful illustrations designed to capture the personalities of the characters, instructions for three different crafts that relate to the plot of the piece and a preview chapter of the next book in the series. In addition, a section titled "Cast of Characters" provides helpful descriptions of the major players in the story, including their physical attributes and personality traits. Though it is found at the end of the piece, this section would be great for readers to review prior to reading the text itself. Children who enjoy camping, hiking and scout experiences, as well as dressing up in costumes, will enjoy this piece, especially around Halloween when ghosts take time to play. 2008, Orchard Books/Scholastic Inc, Ages 7 to 10, $8.99. Reviewer: Jamaica Johnson Conner (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-545-01931-1
ISBN: 978-0-545-01931-6
Frankenstein Takes the Cake
Adam Rex
Frankenstein is getting married, and author-illustrator Adam Rex cleverly unites his new collection of monster poems around this anxiety-inducing event. After all, getting married is scary enough when your groom is a green-skinned monster—try being the caterer for a party attended by Dracula (Absolutely No Garlic!), the Creature from the Black Lagoon (don't let him overeat or he'll be floating belly up!), and werewolves (they hate silverware!). Including both classic, well-known creatures such as the Sphinx and Medusa and the lesser-known but equally sinister Mother-in-Law, Rex deftly balances humor that will appeal to children and adults. Repeated appearances by an exasperated Headless Horseman via his blog titled "Off the Top of My Head," and Edgar Allen Poe in the throes of writer's block serve as subplots and add to the story's narrative flow. An assortment of other fright-related poems, including a brilliant advertisement for a weight-loss device for witches (think Wizard of Oz) round out the collection. From the hilarious cover image of Frankenstein caught with his fingers covered in frosting to Poe's annoyed raven on the back jacket, Rex's inventive illustrations and infinitely varied artistic styles are the icing on the wedding cake. Published just in time for Halloween, this highly-anticipated sequel to Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich will delight guys and ghouls, er, girls, of all ages, as a read-aloud during story time or on their own. Additionally, young writers and artists will find ample inspiration for their own projects. 2008, Children's Books Division/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, Ages 5 to 10, $16.00. Reviewer: Keri Collins Lewis (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-15-206235-4
ISBN: 0-15-206235-1
The Graveyard Book
Neil Gaiman
With illustrations by Dave McKean
Gaiman, famous for his creepy and often scary tales, Coraline and The Wolves in the Wall, has created in his new novel something that is neither despite its chilling first chapter and spectral cast of characters. This is a story about the power of family -whatever form it comes in - and the potential of a child who is raised with love and a sense of duty. Nobody Owens (Bod) is adopted by a couple of ghosts after narrowly escaping death at the hands of the mysterious man who murdered the rest of his family. After much debate he is granted the Freedom of the Graveyard by its long dead inhabitants. His guardian Silas, neither dead nor alive, brings him food and ensures he is educated in the ways of the dead and the living. Of course, life for young Owens is not all plain sailing. There is the ghoul gate and the ancient force that waits in the oldest grave and the mysterious man who still searches for the boy he failed to kill. The story of an orphaned boy being hunted down by a secret society and protected by magic sounds familiar but while the story of Harry Potter resonates here, the sympathetic, flawed and ultimately very human character of Bod saves this from being merely a reshaping of Rowling's epic tale. In fact, Gaiman's title is an homage to Kipling's The Jungle Book. I can't help thinking, however, that this novel should be the first in a series. There are too many questions unanswered. While I never really believed that Bod was ever in any real danger in the graveyard, a boy who sets off in to the world of the living with his "eyes and heart wide open" can only be headed for uncertainty. 2008, HarperCollins Publishers, Ages 10 up, $17.99 and $18.89. Reviewer: Nicola Turner (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-06-053092-1
ISBN: 978-0-06-053093-8
Ghost Towns
Sarah Parvis
Even thought the term "Ghost Town" often brings to mind old, abandoned mining towns in the Wild West, only three of the eleven ghost towns described in this edition of the "Scary Places" series are the stereotypical ghost towns so described. However, many of these ghost stories are not as concrete or nerve wracking as other stories in the series. For example, one entry of a ghost town in Llanelen, Wales talks about how a town took in some sailors who were shipwrecked just off the shore of their town. Even with the kind care the town gave to the ill sailors, it didn't stop the bubonic plague (which the sailors brought with them) from wiping out the whole town. With all of the buildings gone, the one of the only things that remains is the woman in white who sobs for her town which was killed by their own kindness. Other ghost towns included are Alcatraz Island in San Francisco, California, Pompeii, Italy, and Roanoke Island, North Carolina. Even though "Ghost Towns" sounds creepy, the stories in this edition will not keep readers up at night. Glossary, map, index, and bibliography are included. 2008, Bearport Publishing, Ages 8 to 14, $25.27. Reviewer: Joella Peterson (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 1-59716-577-8
ISBN: 978-1-59716-577-8
Ghosts and Haunted Places
Rosemary Ellen Guiley
"Mysteries, Legends, and Unexplained Phenomena," a series for young adults, is written frankly from the perspective that, although occult phenomena cannot be explained or proved, they do exist. Starting with a Foreword by "one of the foremost authorities on the paranormal" (also the author of this volume), ghosts are classified as dead people who have unfinished business, who don't yet know they're dead, have committed suicide or crimes, or perhaps are vampires jealous of the living. Tending to appear in certain recurring places (even schools), ghosts may manifest themselves by sounds and smells, as filmy apparitions, or even as real people. Since the nineteenth century, believers have tried to find evidence for specters; a Society for Psychical Research was established in 1882. Readers are introduced to exotic spirits like banshees, ghost animals (huge black dogs are common), mysterious lights, and doppelgänger; a particularly intriguing idea is that bloody battles, including Gettysburg, leave behind ghostly replays complete with sounds and lights. Since 1861, spirit images have been captured on cameras, though no photographic evidence has yet been authenticated, even in bizarre hauntings like the "Amityville Horror." Do teens need to get rid of a ghost? Included is a list of traditional remedies (beans are useful). A final chapter focuses on activities of amateur and professional ghost hunters. Though, so far, results of investigations are nebulous and depend on interpretation by psychics, paranormal enthusiast Guiley urges teens to "keep at it." 2008, Chelsea House, Ages 12 up, $29.95. Reviewer: Barbara L. Talcroft (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-7910-9392-1
ISBN: 978-0-7910-9392-4
Halloween Fun
Margaret McNamara
Illustrations by Mike Gordon
This easy to read story about Halloween shows children how facing their fears can prove to be thrilling. Jamie is having a party at her house for Halloween. All of her friends are there. They decide to go to a fun house; however, her friend Hannah is afraid. Jamie convinces Hannah to go in the fun house. They see all sorts of scary things inside the fun house. Jamie reassures Hannah that everything is fake throughout the entire experience. At the end, Hannah decides that she enjoyed it so much that she wants to go again. This book is meant to use words that are frequently used in the English language so that the reader can recognize and read the story alone. The pictures go well with the story and are relatable to children. Children will enjoy reading this story, because at one time, they have probably felt scared or hesitant about something. The children will enjoy reading about what might happen if they go to a Halloween party. This is part of the "Ready to Read: Robin Hill School" series. 2008, Aladdin Paperbacks, Ages 4 to 6, $3.99. Reviewer: Rachel Miller (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-4169-3493-6
ISBN: 1-4169-3493-6
Halloween Night
Marjorie Dennis Murray
Illustrations by Brandon Dorman
This spoof of "The Night Before Christmas" is itself a delightful inversion of the expectations associated with monsters. In Marjorie Dennis Murray's Halloween world, the monsters are always quite friendly, and the language she employs revels in their humorously gross habits. The rhyming works to keep the whole story lighthearted, even when the pack of ten kids who come trick-or-treating realize what sort of house they've stumbled upon. The monsters happily invite the kids in for a Halloween buffet, but the kids can't handle it so they flee, terrified—and who can blame them?—the party hosts indulge in "crunchy legs... rotten eggs" and "freshly picked bugs." The illustrations are a very fun balance of cartoon style and beautiful detail. This look into the pretend lives of monsters celebrating their holiday in their style will entertain kids preparing for Halloween trick-or-treating of their own. 2008, HarperCollins Publishers, Ages 5 to 9, $16.99. Reviewer: Brendan Frost (Children's Literature).
Grinning jack-o-lanterns welcome visitors to a spooky house on Halloween night, where bats flutter, spiders creep, and a witch stirs up a smelly brew. Spine-chilling creatures pack treat bags full of grubs and rotten eggs while a ghost plays an organ and banshees serve tea. All the ghouls and goblins work feverishly to prepare a special banquet for the annual trick-or-treaters and assemble eagerly to entertain the neighborhood kids. But when the children catch sight of their frightening hosts, they run down the street shrieking, away from the festivities. Without missing a beat, the eerie cast of characters parties on and at the end of the evening they all agree it was the best Halloween yet. Told in near-rhyme and loosely based on the familiar Christmas poem "The Night Before Christmas," the text is descriptive but awkward at times and will require practice before being read aloud to a group. Brandon Dorman's incredibly inventive and slyly amusing illustrations bring the author's concept to vivid life and set this picture book apart from the crowd of Halloween books written in a similar vein. 2008, Greenwillow Books/HarperCollins Publishers, Ages 5 up, $16.99. Reviewer: Keri Collins Lewis (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-06-135186-0
ISBN: 978-0-06-135187-7
Halloween: What a Treat!
Lisa Marsoli
Illustrated by Lucy Barnard
Trick-or-treaters are everywhere on Halloween night. Some costumes are cute. They can be pumpkins, princesses or chefs. Some are scary, such as "furry black bugs" and "bumpy green monsters." Some are just "out of this world," like the pretend "googly-eyed aliens." No matter what their costumes, the children wearing them all love Halloween treats. Each page of costumed children presents an opportunity to turn the wheel, match the color and feel the textures. This board book is a gentle, interactive introduction to what can be a potentially scary night for toddlers. On every page, friendly children's faces look out at the reader. Symbols of the season, such as jack 'o lanterns, witches, bats and spiders decorate the pages. Older toddlers will want to turn the wheel themselves. Matching the colors is a good exercise for them, and they just might point out which costumes they want to wear for Halloween. 2008, Robin Carey Books/Random House, Ages 1 to 3, $6.99. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-375-84429-4
Haunted Houses
Dinah Williams
Wherever there is a good ghost story, there is a great setting. The eleven haunted houses chosen for this edition of the "Scary Places" series is no exception. Some of the houses have more famous haunts (such as the home of Lizzie Borden and her viciously murdered parents). Other houses and their stories might not be quite so well known to new readers on this ghostly subject. Other examples of haunts are the Ashton Villa Mansion in Galveston, Texas. Here a southern belle refused suitors after suitors—so she goes about doing what she always did, living and playing the piano in her mansion that is now a museum. In another grand house on the Myrtles Plantation in St. Francisville, Louisiana, a ghost who was a slave that poisoned her Master's family so she could prove she loved them when she would nurse them back to health. Her plan backfired when the poison killed Mrs. Woodruff and her two daughters. Now Chloe the slave girl haunts the old plantation. However, even though there is a map that is titled "Haunted Houses Around the World" the map clearly shows that all eleven houses are located in North America—only two not in the United States. With the plethora of haunts around the world, readers will surly wonder why others aren't included or why the book's idea of "world" only constitutes North America. Glossary, index, and short bibliography are included. 2008, Bearport Publishing, Ages 8 to 14, $25.27. Reviewer: Joella Peterson (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 1-59716-573-5
ISBN: 978-1-59716-573-0
I'm Looking for a Monster!
Timothy Young
Our protagonist is searching for the perfect monster. It cannot be too big, too furry, or too slimy, and lots of other characteristics are ruled out as the pages are turned. While turning the pages, kids get to pull tabs, turn wheels and enjoy pop-ups while they help in the search for a perfect monster. Will he be found, and why is this young boy so serious in this pursuit? The last spread shows us that he has a host of monster friends and was seeking the perfect playmate to join in. The images are created in black like silhouettes on colored pages. The purpose is to make them see even more scary, but this is a book that really will not scare most kids. Most of the monsters look a bit silly, and the boy never shows any fear as he engages on this hunt. This is a book that will probably have its most appeal around Halloween. 2008, Random House, Ages 3 to 7, $9.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-375-84416-4
Little Pumpkin's Big Surprise!
Elizabeth Alexander
Illustrated by Janee Trasler
There does not appear to be any logic to this Halloween story. Little Pumpkin is still sitting in the patch. He dreams of being picked and taken into a home to become a jack-o'-lantern, but a squirrel who lives nearby informs Little Pumpkin that this will never happen because he is still green. Kids want orange pumpkins to take home and carve, but then a wise old owl, offers to take Little Pumpkin to his home in a tree. Then the story really takes a strange twist. On Halloween night, Little Pumpkin glows, and if you do not believe it just press the section on the page that makes this pumpkin light up with a bright yellow glow. The back cover notes "...something wonderful happens that is sure to warm your heart and light up your Halloween." No rhyme, no reason, it just happens. If you are looking for a Halloween book that gives kids something to play with, this may be your choice. 2008, Golden Book/Random House, Ages 2 to 4, $9.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-375-84148-4
Max and Mo's Halloween Surprise
Patricia Lakin
Illustrations by Brian Floca
The story of Max and Mo is a delightful easy to read story about two hamsters who do not agree on what to do inside their cage. They decide that they want to get out. They work together to use paper chains to escape. When they do escape, Max and Mo come across a sign that shows them how to make a Halloween mask. They both decide they want to be creative and make one too. They find paper, paint, and crayons. One becomes a cat and one uses a sheet to become a ghost. They are both thrilled that they are ready for Halloween like the rest of the world. The reader of this story will be glad to learn that, at the back of the story, there are directions on how to make a mask, just like Max and Mo. The words are easily readable for the age group, and the illustrations are very creative. The illustrator uses watercolor to illustrate, which gives the feel of being creative, which is what Max and Mo are essentially doing. Children will really enjoy the adventures of Max and Mo. This is part of the "Ready to Read" series. 2008, Aladdin Paperbacks, Ages 4 to 6, $3.99. Reviewer: Rachel Miller (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-4169-2539-2
ISBN: 1-4169-2539-2
Midnight Fright
Kathryn Heling and Deborah Hembrook
Illustrated by Hideko Takahashi
Use the sturdy plastic hands that are part of the clock on the book's cover to set the time to midnight! This time-teaching title is part of Scholastic's Cartwheel Books imprint. Simple, flat illustrations show numerous children dressed in Halloween costumes engaged in preparing to celebrate Halloween. On each page, the time changes in the Grandfather clock and the illustration matches the rhyme for that particular hour. Because the clock on the cover folds out, readers can match the time on that clock to those in the book, reinforcing the skill of telling time with an analog clock. Various activities are depicted, including setting up hay bales and preparing food, brewing a "lizard stew" (green fruit punch) in a huge cauldron, decorating with spider webs, practicing to be "black cats" (who "yowl, they screech and howl, a fine, feline quartet"), flying bat kites, dressing as mummies and skeletons, playing games, and sharing the goodies at midnight. The children's faces are all very clear in their costumes, so timid children will be reassured that the creatures are just people dressed-up for Halloween. Emergent readers will enjoy practicing their reading skills with the easy-to-read text, and picture clues will help with unfamiliar words like "swoosh" and "goblins." 2008, Cartwheel Books/Scholastic, Ages 2 to 6, $5.99. Reviewer: Sheilah Egan (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-545-04444-8
ISBN: 0-545-04444-8
Nightmare on Zombie Island
Paul D. Storrie
Illustrations by David Witt
This reader-guided adventure story will undoubtedly engross kids of all backgrounds, as it places control of the plot into their very hands. Kids will not only love the fun and artistic images on the page, but will also enjoy the empowerment of choice. From the onset of the novel, the reader is spoken to directly in a second person fashion. As the main character, it is the reader who is spending the summer with good friend Jimmy, and the reader whose choices lead to either a safe escape, or death at the outreached hands of the zombies. With plenty of intriguing twists and turns, cheating and peaking ahead is made all but impossible. The adventure options and action-packed images make reading this novel more accessible to those kids who may have a natural aversion to reading. A great tool for teaching decision-making and cause and effect, this novel is visually and mentally entertaining. 2008, Graphic Universe/Lerner Publishing Group Inc, Ages 8 to 12, $27.93. Reviewer: Ginny Sautner (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-8225-6198-9
The Proof that Ghosts Exist
Carol Matas and Perry Nodelman
Molly and Adam Barnett share a special job when they accompany him to the family cottage by the lake: keep him from dropping dead. It seems that Barnett men have a tendency to die the day before their thirty-fifth birthday. The cottage seems like a nice, quiet, safe place—that it, until the ghosts show up. Molly and Adam are stunned to meet their granddad, Ernest Barnett, who is visible only when he's behind his old desk. As they try together to figure out what is going on, Ernest realizes he didn't just drop dead the day before his birthday; instead, he was murdered. Molly and Adam are not on a double quest: save their father and figure out how and why their grandfather was murdered. How are the two related? Can they trust Reggie, their temporary neighbor who just happens to be a nurse? This fast-paced mystery will engage the interests of young readers as they try to keep one step ahead of the ghosts. The first of the "Ghosthunters" trilogy. 2008, Key Porter Books, Ages 9 to 12, $6.95. Reviewer: Carol Ann Lloyd-Stanger (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-55470-014-1
ISBN: 1-55470-014-0
Queen of Halloween
Mary Engelbreit
Mary Englebreit's favorite character Ann Estelle and her friend Michael don their costumes as fairy queen and pirate to go trick-or-treating. Michael is in favor of the children going on their own, but Ann Estelle is relieved to have her father escort them. At the very last house, Michael insists on going up alone. As they approach the darkened old house with its creaky porch, Ann Estelle's fears increase until she realizes that Michael is also a bit scared. In the end, the kindly old lady who greets them loads them up with cookies and sends them on their way. The children feel proud that even though they were a bit scared, they also proved themselves brave, as a real fairy queen or pirate would be. Like the other "Queen of" books featuring Ann Estelle, the text is simple, the illustrations are brightly-colored with top and bottom borders. Those who like Englebreit's work will be glad to add it to their collections. 2008, HarperCollins, Ages 4 to 7, $15.99. Reviewer: Mary Hynes-Berry (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-06-08190-4
Ryan Heshka's ABC Spookshow
Ryan Heshka
While this book is small in size, which might make one think that it is for young children, that really is not the case. Yes, it is an ABC book, but the choices are in most cases too sophisticated and require plenty of movie knowledge and background to understand the references. I doubt that there are many four-year-olds who would know what the words apparition, phantom, or quagmire would mean. By the same token, the references to Karloff and Lugosi will not resonate. They might not even be relatable to the current generation of parents. Some of the images and choices are obvious—jack o'lantern, trick or treat, and witch, but the images are rather spooky and would probably not appeal to young readers. It is hard to say who the target audience is and who would want the book. This book might work as an ABC of spooks for adults, but it definitely would not pass as an ABC book for young children, so this one may languish somewhere on the shelves while is waits for its audience. 2007, Simply Read Books, Ages Adult, $12.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-894965-68-2
Snappy Sounds: Boo!
Beth Harwood
Illustrations by Derek Matthews
Paper-engineering by Richard Hawke
Part of the "Happy Snappy Book" series, this title is described on its cover as "Noisy Pop-Up Fun with Fun Spooks Sounds." Perfect for Halloween celebrations this book begins with an owl popping up over a darkened house with bats circling in the light of the full moon. We also see a grinning jack-o-lantern and the trees have faces and reaching "hands." Even with all of these details it is not a really scary picture and little people will love the sound of the wind blowing through the trees. The rhymed text invites the reader to join in for the fun at the midnight ball. Next we are treated to a silly witch riding her broom (smiling cat perched behind) and we hear her cackling all the way. Then we see the witch silhouetted against the moon as a "ghost train" pops up with the appropriate "whooooing" sounds. The skeleton popping out may give a bit of a shiver to younger readers, and the "creakkkking" may raise the hairs on slightly older ones. The last scene is at the big party and features a huge, green Frankenstein while typical "spooky organ music" is played along with weird laughter. Everyone is smiling and do not seem threatening. As an effort to involve the readers on another level, the artist included smaller inset pictures along with the double spread pop-ups. The smaller pictures show something that also appears in the larger scene. The name of each item appears under the illustration, ex: a bat, the haunted house, a broomstick, a ghost, a gravestone, and an owl and other seasonal items. The battery that powers the sounds may be removed for replacement. Parents and educators may want to leave the batteries out, but children will enjoy playing the sounds over and over as they turn the pages. The sturdy construction should allow for a good bit of handling. 2005, Silver Dolphin Books, Ages 3 up, $12.95. Sheilah Egan (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-59223-452-3
ISBN: 1-59223-452-6
Spooky Cemeteries
Dinah Williams
Eleven of the spookiest cemeteries are listed off in this volume of the "Scary Places" series. Although Williams focuses on cemeteries in the Eastern half of the United States (only four cemeteries aren't in the U.S. and all of the cemeteries in the U.S. are east of the Mississippi River), the eleven that she chose to portray are all classic examples of where not to be on a dark, dark night. However, with only two pages on each cemetery, readers might have to fully satisfy their curiosity elsewhere. One example is what happened to George Brown who felt "cursed" because his family all was dying in Exeter, Rhode Island. When his only son became sick after the third family funeral, he was convinced that dead daughter Mercy was an "American vampire." George had Mercy's coffin dug up months after her funeral—cut out her heart, burned it and had his son eat it. This is an extremely interesting and creepy story, but there isn't much else. The son dies and readers will have to look elsewhere for more information about vampires myths in the 1800s. Other famous cemeteries include Tutankhamen's Tomb, the Paris Catacombs, Gettysburg National Military Park, and others. All entries give just enough information to whet the curiosity of the reader, without getting too gory. With a glossary, index, and bibliography, readers will enjoy these short tastes of gothic horror. 2008, Bearport Publishing, Ages 8 to 14, $25.27. Reviewer: Joella Peterson (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 1-59716-562-X
ISBN: 978-1-59716-562-4
There's No Such Thing as Ghosts
Emmanuelle Eeckhout
This is a charming tale of a would-be ghost catcher. A young lad moves into a new neighborhood and is warned not to go near the strange old house on the corner. "People say it's haunted," he is told. This is all the more impetus for him to have a look for himself. Armed with his trusty ghost-catching butterfly net, our hero bravely enters the "haunted" house with hopes of catching a ghost or two. To his dismay, not a ghost can be found. He searches the stairs, the bedroom, the library—even the bathtub and under the couch cushions. The closest he gets is one lone spider in a secret passageway. It is certainly not enough to frighten anyone away. What the boy does not realize is that the ghosts are watching him and almost teasing him to find them, but he does not see them. Illustrated as friendly, floating apparitions, the ghosts bounce on the bed, snorkel in the bubble bath, dangle from a chandelier, and float on the stairway. They seem to want to play, but also to keep their distance, probably to ensure that the house remains their domain. Eeckhout's illustrations are simple, and, except for touches of pink blush, include only yellow and shades of grey. This ensures that the reader's attention is on the story rather than the illustrations, although they are very appropriate and complement the text. This will be a popular book at Halloween, but it can be read any time of year and still keep the interest of listeners and readers. 2008, Kane/Miller Book Publishers, Ages 4 to 8, $13.95. Reviewer: Elizabeth Young (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-933605-91-3
ISBN: 1-933605-91-X
Trick or Treat on Monster Street
Danny Schnitzlein
Illustrated by Matt Faulkner
Picture books told from the perspective of monsters seem in vogue this year, but one can see why—they're entertaining and effective. This one by Danny Schnitzlein begins from the bedroom of a young boy who's always scared by his older brothers, and you know by the end he'll be getting back at them. But the method by which Schnitzlein gets to that point is intriguing, with our protagonist getting lost in a Twilight-Zone style reverse world where the monsters dress up like humans for Halloween. They mistake our protagonist for a monster in costume, and eventually he wins the best costume contest—and even meets a girl monster who develops a crush on him. The rhyming works continually throughout the book, and though the message of tolerance and empathy is overtly stated at one point, this doesn't seem too heavy handed and is well supported by the story. The illustrations include very fun detail and are drawn in a sort of wobbly, loose texture that makes the world seem more alive and wriggly. 2008, Peachtree Publishers, Ages 9 to 12, $16.95. Reviewer: Brendan Frost (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-5614-5465-5
Vera's Halloween
Vera Rosenberry
Vera was feeling very grown up, because this Halloween she would be going out after dark to go trick-or-treating with her older sisters and her father. She had decided to dress as a mummy. Despite her mother's request, Vera refused to wear her winter coat. All went well until Vera saw that her mummy bandages, made from white toilet paper, were unwinding. She stopped to fix them, and when she looked up, she could not see her father or sisters. It started to rain and then to snow. A cold, wet Vera eventually finds solace in the home of a friend. Rosenberry's watercolor illustrations enhance the drama of the story, particularly in Vera's dramatic facial expressions. She is transformed as the story moves along from a smug trick-or-treater to a fearful, lost child to a happy little girl. The scenes change, too. When Vera is secure with her siblings and father, we see costumed happy children running along the street. As Vera realizes she is lost, we see more costumed adults who look rather sinister. When she is treated to dry clothes and a tasty treat at her friend's house, Vera looks happy and content. Although Vera looks a tad too angular in the final illustration, the reader senses the girl's deeply-felt relief and joy as her father pulls her home in the sled. Separation anxiety is a perpetual childhood fear. Rosenberry captures a child's feelings and satisfactorily addresses that fear here in her eighth book about spunky Vera. 2008, Henry Holt, Ages 4 to 8, $16.95.
Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-8050-8144-2
ISBN: 0-8050-8144-5
A Very Brave Witch
Alison McGhee
Illustrated by Harry Bliss
This is the Halloween night that a little witch girl decides to see what Halloween is all about for humans. She gives us a tour of the haunted mansion where the grown-up witches are preparing for All Hallows Eve by releasing bats and spiders and ghosts; all of the things that make us humans squeal with fright. But what makes witches squeal in fright? Humans!!! Our little witch flies her broom into town to watch the humans "trick or treat." Not understanding what they are saying, she sets out to "trick a tree." The tree tricks her and she crash lands and, before she sets herself to rights, a human girl dressed in a witch costume comes over to see if she is all right. The little witch realizes that this little girl is a very brave witch and gives her the ride of her life that night on her broom. Narrated beautifully by Elle Fanning, the story is every child's Halloween dream come true. Despite being filled with ghosts and goblins, this is not a scary DVD at all. The witches are Shrek-like; they look weird but they are completely non-threatening. The meant-to-be eerie music is reminiscent of the music that opens the first Harry Potter; we know something is afoot but it is not eerie enough to frighten. A fun DVD to show in the classroom when Halloween spirits hit a fever pitch. Running time: 7 minutes. 2007, Weston Woods/Scholastic, Ages 4 to 8, $59.95. Reviewer: Joan Kindig (Children's Literature).
ISBN 0-545-04263-1
Werewolves
Linda S. Godfrey
"Mysteries, Legends, and Unexplained Phenomena," a series for young adults, is written frankly from the perspective that, although occult phenomena cannot be explained or proved, they do exist. Starting with a Foreword by "one of the foremost authorities on the paranormal," this volume relates anecdotes about various sightings of shaggy bipedal creatures who always manage to disappear before the terrified viewers can snap a picture—accompanying illustrations of the werewolves are amateurish drawings. Other chapters offer folktales from several countries, an account of children supposedly raised by wolves, humans afflicted with hairy bodies, and the story of a deformed dog that learned to walk on its hind legs. Effects of ergot (a fungus on rye) on the psyche are explained as a possible cause of werewolf sightings, medieval and modern, while Godfrey associates Indian effigy mounds in Wisconsin, said to be unique, with sightings there. (A huge serpent-shaped mound exists in Ohio, though it has never been linked to werewolves.) Skeptics may enjoy the chapter on werewolf hoaxes, but the most interesting section catalogs famous werewolf films, including The Wolf Man (1941) with Lon Chaney, Jr., and wolf men in video games, comics, and manga. What are teens to make of all this? Godfrey urges them to hunt for the beasts, whether by Internet or in the field and even includes a list of gear for trackers. So far, as the author admits, no "confirmed photo of a real-life werewolf" has turned up. 2008, Chelsea House, Ages 12 up, $29.95. Reviewer: Barbara L. Talcroft (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-7910-9399-9
ISBN: 978-0-7910-9399-3
Where's My Mummy?
Carolyn Crimi
Illustrated by John Manders
Carolyn Crimi's tale is told from the perspective of a child mummy who is lost in the wilds of a land described only as "a deep, dark place." This is an interesting peek into an imagined world of monster childhood, and being lost and scared without your mom is also a very common childhood experience. Crimi handles it well, with sincere language, and we can't help but laugh when the monster that finally turns out to scare Baby Mummy—after he encounters a skeleton, an amorphous blob, and a vampire—is a mouse! The illustrations are fun and expressive and have some cool particulars, such as the skeleton's boxer shorts with a dice pattern, but could occasionally have used more detail to engage the wonder of readers—the shore of a swamp, for example, which takes up almost two pages, is just grass, and a graveyard Baby Mummy stumbles upon is just a grouping of similar graves. This curious tale of a young mummy lost in a world of monsters preparing for bed will make kids laugh and ultimately feel happy at Baby Mummy's return home. 2008, Candlewick Press, Ages 4 to 7, $15.99. Reviewer: Brendan Frost (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3196-3
Who Will Haunt My House on Halloween?
Jerry Pallotta
Illustrated by David Biedrzycki
The star of this gently spooky tale is a young girl who is anticipating who might "haunt" her house on Halloween night. Her imagination runs away as we see what she envisions in the large colorful illustrations that populate the pages of this book. First, we see her preparing a large dish of treats in the entryway to her house. The open door shows fall leaves and faint-eyed ghosts lurking beyond the moonlit tree. The simple text ("Werewolves might trick-or-treat. They would howl at the moon. Aaah! Ooooooooh!") makes this book accessible to young reader/listeners. The facial expressions of the girl and her cat are perfect reflections of each imagined arrival: pallid fear for zombies, hair-raising shock at bats, open-mouthed grimace for spiders and their webs, dismay at the arrival of a multitude of jack-o-lanterns, wide-eyed respect for an owl, and more. Readers will laugh at her responses to each. For example, the girl questions the arrival of dinosaurs looking for treats ("You're extinct!") and, to the scarecrows and their accompanying crows, shouts "Back off! No birds allowed in this house!" After her mother helps the girl into her own witch costume, neighborhood children arrive at the door dressed as werewolves, dinos, ghosts, owls, bats, and more. On the last page, the girl leads the costume parade in search of treats: "We are on our way to haunt your house. Happy Halloween!" Youngsters will find this a reassuring look at dressing up to go out to collect treats of their own. They are sure to enjoy imagining just what sort of creatures might "haunt" their own houses. 2007, Scholastic, Ages 3 to 6, $8.99. Reviewer: Sheilah Egan (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-439-02521-8
ISBN: 0-439-02521-4
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Updated 9/28/06
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