Halloween is almost here, and I’ve saved some of the best spooky books for this review. Books in this review include board books for the youngest readers and fiction books for the older elementary readers.
Zooloween, by Alan Katz and humorously illustrated digitally by Stephanie Laberis, is a picture book with a very clever take on this traditional holiday. The zoo’s annual costume show is about to begin for the animals to show off their unique attire. Each animal displays fun and funny clothing which will have youngsters, ages three to eight, giggling. This rhyming tale has quite a surprise waiting at the end!
Little Mummy, Little Cat, and Little Bat are all small board shaped books by Maggie Fischer and brightly illustrated by Yi-Hsuan Wu. Each of these adorable books, geared for babies and toddlers, have covers made with soft flocking and foil. All three have a cute storyline and the small size make it perfect for little hands.
Little Witch Cat (Finger Puppet Book), brightly illustrated digitally by Emily Dove, is a rhyming tale about a cute little kitten along with her ghost and ghoul friends. The featured cat is actually built right into the book so little ones, toddler and younger, can place their fingers inside to make the cat poke out while reading each page. This is part of a successful series featuring many different animals.
The Shadow & The Ghost, by Cat Min, is a most beautifully illustrated picture book with color or shades or the night sky filling every page. Here is a story, good for all ages, about two friends who never met each other until finally a small miracle facilitates it. The art in this book seems to jump off the page. It is made with a detailed process that began with light sketches on paper using erasable pink colored pencil.
Theodora Hendrix and the Monstrous League of Monsters, by Jordan Kopy and sprinkled with wonderful etchings by Chris Jevons, is an exciting planned mystery series geared for ages eight through twelve. Young Theodora was found when she was a infant and adopted by zombie George and his monster family. Now she is ten years old, and she is about to be located and taken away. Here is the perfect read aloud for the entire family! The second book, Theodora Hendrix and the Curious Case of the Cursed Beetle, has also recently been published.
Little Ghost Makes a Friend, by Maggie Edkins Willis, is an adorable picture book about a shy little ghost who has been living in an old, haunted house with his mom for a hundred years. He gets so excited when a new girl moves into the neighborhood. Can he make friends with her? The friendship is as sweet as the wonderful digital illustrations made with a sepia tone. Be sure to check out the charming end-pages.
A Bite Above the Rest, by Christine Virnig, will grab you on the first page and not let go until the end of this fabulous fiction book. Caleb is trying to solve a mystery since moving to this small Wisconsin town that seems to celebrate Halloween every day. What is going on? Why are the kids behind the costumes so hard to figure out. This well-written story would be good for ages nine through adult.
Trick or Treat on Scary Street, by Lance Bass and gorgeously illustrated with color filling the open page by Roland Garrigue, is a clever rhyming picture book that makes you feel the beat of an unsung song. As trick-or-treaters move down the street where there are many sights to see, you will discover a big surprise waiting at the end.
The School for Wicked Witches, by Will Taylor, is a fun adventure fiction book into the magical school for witches geared for ages eight through twelve. Ava is looking forward to going to the prestigious West Oz Witch Academy. But when her magical abilities are misunderstood, she is whisked away to the awful School for Wicked Witches where she discovers something very unusual. This fun adventure is also about friendship and understanding.
Wicked Marigold, by Caroline Carlson, is a wonderful fiction book rich with magic, humor and adventure perfect for ages eight through twelve. Marigold feels she can’t quite measure up to her perfect older sister who is perfectly good. The supporting cast is quite hilarious whom she meets along the way and becomes her friends. This well written story is a pure delight and a great read aloud for all.
Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas: Welcome to Halloween Town, by Autumn B. Heath and cleverly illustrated by Kaley McCabe, is an oversized picture book full of pop-ups, flaps, pull-tabs and other interactive elements perfect for any fan of this movie. Jack Skellington will take you on a tour rich with the town square and graveyard as a backdrop.
Trick or Treats?, by Lauren Crisp and brightly illustrated by Ellis Rose, is a delightful board book that any toddler or younger will enjoy. Each open page will reveal large flaps for tiny hands to open. Each of those flaps open again with another smaller flap hiding various Halloween items. This book is a sweet winner for youngsters.