Halloween

Bob the Vampire Snail by Andrea Zuill – Book Review

| Tasha

Bob the Vampire Snail by Andrea Zuill (9780593814963)

Bob the snail (all snails are named Bob) is just minding his own business when suddenly there is a scream, stomp, crack, drip and POOF! Bob feels strange and it turns out he has small wings, fangs and no reflection. He can’t eat the things he used to love, so he tries a bunch of other things, including eating the other Bobs. But nothing satisfies until he discovers the joy of using his fangs on a juicy tomato. He finds that he has other powers too, including hypnotizing other animals to get him more tomatoes. The other Bobs don’t want anything to do with him, especially since he tried to eat them, but Bob isn’t deterred and soon meets another creature who loves tomatoes too.

Ideal for those looking for a Halloween read that isn’t scary at all but also has plenty of action to keep little ones’ attention, this picture book is also hilarious. A small bug offers side commentary about vampires and what is happening to Bob as he transforms. This lets young children who may not understand all of the vampire lore into the jokes as they happen and is very cleverly done. The illustrations are great fun with Bob offering more emotions than might be expected from a snail thanks to his expressive eye stalks. The transformation is particularly effective visually and adds to the fun.

A great Halloween read aloud with lots of laughter. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Penguin Random House.

3 Witty Witchy New Picture Books

| Tasha

Evelyn Witch Gets a Pet by Beth Ferry, illustrated by Charles Santoso (9781250804211)

Evelyn wakes up one morning with a feeling that she is missing something. It’s not her pumpkins or her potions, but it might just be a pet! However, she doesn’t have enough money for a pet of her choice and has to settle for the discounted mystery pet box. Inside is an egg. Now, Evelyn isn’t very patient, so she sets out to use her magic to hatch the egg. However, she also doesn’t know what hatches from eggs. Perhaps a unicorn? A narwhal? A porcupine? When nothing works, she decides to just be patient and take the best care of her egg. But what could be inside? A book that looks at patience through a wonderfully witchy lens. This picture book has a delight of a mystery at its center that will entice children to find out what in the world is in that egg.

A great Halloween read aloud without any scares. Appropriate for ages 3-6.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Roaring Brook Press.

This Year a Witch! By Zoey Abbott (9781665956024)

The young narrator of this picture book has been a bunny for Halloween and a mouse the year before that. In fact, every year, she has been entirely adorable for Halloween. But this is the year that all changes and she dresses up as a witch. She’s been preparing by growing out her hair, making accessories, and preparing for her witch’s brew. But when she is finally ready and in her costume, she’s a bit more witchy than she can handle! With a little help from her father, she embraces her pointed hat, witchy robe and dark side. 

Abbott has created a funny and smart book about the immense decision of what costume to wear at Halloween and how regrets can set in at the last minute. Children will recognize the joy at embracing a new character, the build up to the holiday and the rush of feelings as it all starts. The illustrations add to the pleasure of the book with their vibrant Halloween colors as they capture the little girl’s emotions clearly. 

A non-scary Halloween book just right to share aloud. Appropriate for ages 3-6.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Atheneum.

Witch Cat by Lucy Rowland, illustrated by Laura Hughes (9781547616718)

Pippin has always loved being a witch’s cat, but then he starts to long for something different. When he discovers a pirate ship about to leave, he is invited to join the crew and solve their mouse issues. But the sea is not the right place for seasick Pippin and he quickly leaves them at the first island they visit. It’s there that he considers very briefly being a knight’s cat but the local dragon keeps him moving. Perhaps being a pet? A cowboy’s cat? Nothing quite seems right, until he sees a rather witchy broom. But how is Pippin to find his way back home? This picture book is told in rhymes with just the right mix of Halloween and humor.

Great for sharing aloud and full of fall fun. Appropriate for ages 3-6.

Reviewed from copy provided by Bloomsbury Children’s Books.

2 Fun New Halloween Picture Books

| Tasha

Chicka Chicka Tricka Treat by Julien Chung (9781665954785)

Another winner in the Chicka Chicka series that deserves a spot in your Halloween read alouds. Taking the familiar format of the Chicka Chicka books, the alphabet letters set out to climb the creaky old tree. They are all dressed in costumes as they climb. But when a witch arrives, all of the letters shiver and the branches break and all fall to the ground. The witch invites them to climb up and they all begin again though many of their costumes have changed due to the fall. 

Readers who enjoy this series will love the Halloween version. It’s a great addition to Halloween stories, particularly for those looking for ones that won’t frighten little ones but engage them in the fun of the season. Appropriate for ages 2-4.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Beach Lane Books.

The Zombees by Justin Colón (9781665922500)

Something is coming through the graveyard in Honey Hills with a buzzing sound. With moans and green skin, the Zombees fly by with their Zombee Queen. Are they here to eat our brains? Get help! But when the people in bee veils show up, the Zombees share the real reason they are there. Told in bold rhymes and with a rollicking rhythm that matches the fast-paced tale, this picture book is a joy to share aloud. The bright illustrations that give clues to what is actually happening will make this book worth reading a few times to see all those touches. 

Let’s hope this one gets lots of buzzz. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Ten Spooky Pumpkins by Gris Grimly

| Tasha
Cover image for 10 Spooky Pumpkins.

Ten Spooky Pumpkins by Gris Grimly (9781338112443)

Count backwards with plenty of Halloween creatures in this jaunty picture book full of autumn shadows. The ten pumpkins start us out by looking for a cat and finding 9. The black cats creep along the gate, finding eight bats. They discover seven goblins, then six ghosts, five wolves, and onward until we end up with everyone having a grand Halloween bash together. But the book isn’t done yet, as one round full moon rises in the sky, sending everyone running in fright. The little girl ends up fast asleep in bed, her Halloween candy nearby.

The text here is marvelously simple and has a merry rhythm and rhyme that bounces along nicely. That is combined with illustrations that are full of Halloween sights. All of the creatures are perfectly strange with snaggle toothed wolves, slinky black cats, flapping eerie bats, and whispy yet round ghosts. The creatures add to the strangeness of the book, bringing it fully into the Halloween spirit. With dark blacks, bright oranges and the light of the moon, the illustrations are full of seasonal colors.

A counting book sure to bring a Happy Halloween! Appropriate for ages 2-5.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Scholastic.

Hardly Haunted by Jessie Sima

| Tasha
Cover image for Hardly Haunted.

Hardly Haunted by Jessie Sima (9781534441705)

A house stood on a hill. It was worried because it didn’t have a family to live in it. In fact, the house wondered if it might be haunted! But it didn’t want to be haunted, and hoped that if it behaved perfectly no one would notice that it was spooky. Still, there was nothing to be done about the cobwebs and dust, or the squeaky doors and stairs or the rattles in the pipes. The house tried very hard, staying perfectly still and quiet, holding her breath. But when the wind came, she couldn’t stop the scratch of branches on the roof or the groan of the wind through her windows. It let the house relax again, accepting that she was just spooky. Now all she needed was a family looking for a haunted house that rattled, groaned and squeaked.

This picture book reads aloud really nicely, inviting readers into the struggle of a house that dreams of being entirely different than she is. The writing draws out the noises that the house makes, featuring them so that children listening to the story can help make the sounds too. The house itself is a marvelous character, struggling to be different until she accepts herself as she is with all her creaks and scratches.

The art is just the right amount of spooky for preschoolers, full of purple shadows, long green grass and a black cat to enter the house with. The house herself uses her windows to great effect to smile, worry, and eventually come alight in the night.

A little spooky, full of noise and lots of fun. Appropriate for ages 2-4.

Reviewed from copy provided by Simon and Schuster.

The Little Kitten by Nicola Killen

| Tasha

The Little Kitten by Nicola Killen

The Little Kitten by Nicola Killen (9781534466968)

On an autumn day, Ollie heads outside wearing her catsuit and followed by her cat, Pumpkin. She was about to jump in a pile of leaves when she noticed that it was moving! Inside she discovered a shivering little kitten. After warming the kitten up, the three of them played together in the woods until they needed a rest. That’s when Ollie accidentally left Pumpkin behind as she continued to play with the kitten, moving farther and farther away. After following a secret path in the woods, Ollie and the kitten found the kitten’s home. But that’s when Ollie realized that she had left Pumpkin behind. She tried to find Pumpkin, but ended up lost in the woods. She was lost until Pumpkin found her and led Ollie back home. Both Ollie and the kitten’s owner were very thankful to be reunited with their beloved cats.

With a distinct Halloween vibe, this picture book is a gentle autumn read that celebrates the love of pets, particularly cats. The story arc is strong, leading children nicely through a full tale with a satisfying conclusion that has a witch flying in the air at the end. Readers will love the suspicion that the kitten’s owner is a witch and then the confirmation in the illustrations.

The illustrations are done in a limited color palette of grays, blacks and pops of orange. The orange appears throughout, in pumpkins, leaves, shutters and other elements on each page. The illustrations contribute to the gentleness of the story as well as its merry take on Halloween.

This one will make you purr with happiness and is just right for anyone looking for a gentle Halloween tale. Appropriate for ages 2-4.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Review: Pick a Pumpkin by Patricia Toht

| Tasha

Pick a Pumpkin by Patricia Toht

Pick a Pumpkin by Patricia Toht , illustrated by Jarvis (9781536207644)

This follow up to Pick a Pine Tree invites readers into the autumn bounty of choosing a pumpkin and creating a jack-o-lantern. The book moves quickly through the pumpkin patch with its mix of sweet fall treats and fields of pumpkins. The family then returns home to clean their pumpkins up, find the tools they need, and get set up in the garage. Friends are invited over to carve pumpkins with them. The goopy insides are scooped, faces are chosen and candles are lit inside.

With so many rhyming picture books, Toht’s skill demonstrates what a rhyme should bring to a children’s book. It offers a great rollicking feel to the book and brings a celebratory tone to it as well. Combined with Jarvis’ deep-colored illustrations, the entire book is a pleasure and takes readers directly into the harvest spirit. Jarvis includes a racially diverse cast of characters in his images. Nicely, this book stays realistic and doesn’t introduce witches or ghosts, so it’s just right for little ones who aren’t looking for anything scary at Halloween.

A glowing picture book about pumpkins, jack-o-lanterns and family. Appropriate for ages 2-4.

Reviewed from copy provided by Candlewick Press. 

Review: Stumpkin by Lucy Ruth Cummins

| Tasha

Stumpkin by Lucy Ruth Cummins

Stumpkin by Lucy Ruth Cummins (9781534413627)

Stumpkin is one of the pumpkins for sale outside a little shop in the big city. He is a nearly perfect pumpkin. He is bright orange, round and large. Unfortunately though, Stumpkin is missing his stem and only has a little stump instead. As Halloween grows closer, one pumpkin after another is selected to be turned into a jack-o-lantern in the neighborhood. They are placed up in apartment windows and look down at the little shop below. Even the gourd is selected before Stumpkin, leaving him all alone. But there is a happy Halloween ending to come!

Cummins’ story written in a simple style. She shows the difference between Stumpkin and the others, explaining why he is left behind. Children listening to the story will protest that they would pick Stumpkin first since he is so lovely. The feeling of being different and left out builds as the story moves ahead and Stumpkin is left alone and sad. The simple art adds to the appeal of the book with its bright oranges, black cat and jack-o-lantern grins. It is impressive how much emotion she can convey with a few dots and lines on a round pumpkin.

Perfect pumpkin pick for those looking for non-scary Halloween and autumn tales. Appropriate for ages 2-4.

Reviewed from copy provided by Atheneum.

3 Scary-Good Picture Books

| Tasha

 

Creepy Pair of Underwear by Aaron Reynolds

Creepy Pair of Underwear by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Peter Brown (9781442402980)

Jasper returns for a second gently-scary story. In this picture book, Jasper needs some new underwear. He decides to get one pair of green creepy underwear, because he is big enough for them. When he wears them to bed, he finds out that they glow with a green light. Jasper quickly changes to plain white underwear, hiding the creepy underwear in the bottom of the hamper. Waking up the next morning, he realizes that he has the creepy underwear on! Jasper tries all sorts of things to get rid of the underwear, from mailing it to China to cutting it into bits, but the underwear keeps on coming back. What is a bunny to do? This picture book is a delightful mix of funny and scary with echoes of classic monster movies. Exactly the right pick for Halloween reading. Appropriate for ages 4-6. (Review copy provided by Simon & Schuster.)

The Pomegranate Witch by Denise Doyen

The Pomegranate Witch by Denise Doyen, illustrated by Eliza Wheeler (9781452145891)

Deftly written in rhyme, this picture book features a mouthwatering pomegranate tree that is watched over by a witch. Still, the children of the town desperately want a pomegranate from the tree and are willing to go to war with the witch to get one. The children tried again and again, but the witch stopped them with water cannons and rolling walnuts. In the end though, the children got one delectable pomegranate to split among themselves. The next day, the tree was picked bare and the war was over. It was time for Halloween where a Kindly Lady gladly shared out pomegranates from her home. A lady that looks a lot like the glimpses readers get of the witch.

Doyen’s writing is spooky and rich. This is not a picture book for preschoolers, since the writing demands a longer attention span. Elementary classes would enjoy it or it could be added to a read aloud for older children on Halloween. Perhaps with pomegranate seeds to try. Appropriate for ages 5-7. (Review copy provided by Chronicle Books.)

The Scariest Book Ever by Bob Shea

The Scariest Book Ever by Bob Shea (9781484730461)

A spooky ghost lives by a frightening dark forest in this picture book. The ghost is the one who is scared, asking the reader to keep on checking on what is happening in the forest. But the forest isn’t nearly as scary as the ghost expects, which adds a zingy humor to this story. The tone of the book is deftly handled, walking a line between shivery ghost story and Halloween party for friends. It’s a book that will invite children to be just as scared as they might like, but also enjoy doughnuts and some costumes too. The art is lovely and graphic, filled with zaps of bright color emphasized by white and black. A great read aloud for slightly older children. Appropriate for ages 5-8. (Reviewed from library copy.)