Halloween is coming and fun, spooky books are awaiting your discovery. The following books will surely invite and excite the older readers as well as younger readers. The first two books are board-books for infants and toddlers. The next two books are picture books best geared for ages three through eight. The rest are labeled accordingly.
It Sounds like Halloween, by Maggie Fischer and illustrated with full open-page color by Gareth Williams, is an interactive board-book with four buttons to push making spooky sounds as you read through the story. But are they really the sounds you think? Â Could that be a werewolf, howling in the dark? No, itâs just a puppy, practicing his bark. The rhyming text and the corresponding button to push makes this book a delight and not a fright.
The Monsters on the Broom, by Annmarie Riley Guertn and cleverly illustrated brightly by Shauna Lynn Panczyszn, is a layered board-book with each page showcasing more of the book. The rhyming rhythm of the text reads like the song The Wheels on the Bus, making this a delight to sing along with every page. There are expressive onomatopoeias found on every page.The ghost on the bus wails, Wooo hooo hoooooo. The color on every open-page illustration seems to explode off the page.
Heebie-Jeebie Jamboree, by Mary Ann Fraser, is a frightfully fun carnival that Daphne and her brother, Sam, are about to experience while wearing their Halloween costumes. The clever carnival attractions and treats include a skeleton merry-go-round, eyes cream and barbecue bat wings. This picture book is highly colorful with full open-page scenes illustrated with acrylic. The witches brew contest and the distorted magical mirrors make this adventure worth repeating for next year. The rollerghoster alone is worth the price of a magical ticket.
Leila the Perfect Witch, by Flavia Z. Drago, is the perfect picture book to celebrate Halloween with family. Leila is determined to win the annual cake contest as her family has been successful for generations. But after baking and creating what she hopes will be a magnificent cake, she fails. After her sisters help and give some great advice, she is ready to try again. The creative and full-page depictions of all that is going on in her magical life, made wonderfully with mixed media, is a delight to pour over. But I love how this book teaches that winning isnât everything. There are much more important lessons to be learned in life, which this book is excellent in addressing!
School of Monsters: Luna Boo Has Feelings Too, by Sally Rippin and delightfully illustrated by Chris Kenneth, is an early chapter book that is part of a popular series. This great series has simple limited text that also rhymes making it a perfect beginning reading for kids ages six to eight. At the end of each book, you find easy-to-learn new words brightly colored that are contained in the book. Thereâs also a page showing how to draw the simple main character. Some of the newest books include William the Star, Mary has the Best Pet and Jess Makes a Mess.
The Polter-Ghost Problem, by Betsy Uhrig, is humorous story about three friends who suddenly see a strange form at the end of the woods. When they follow him, they discover an old, abandoned orphanage that is definitely haunted. They also discover that the form they followed is a ghost from that orphanage. They are soon embroiled in a dilemma that includes young ghosts stuck in this haunted place being detained by a cranky poltergeist who wonât allow them to pass the house boundaries. As the friends attempt to discover what the poltergeistâs problems are, they encounter some funny situations as they become friends with the first ghost they found. This has a great storyline that will hold you to the very end and good for ages eight through twelve.
The Clackity, by Lora Senf, has to be my favorite of the Halloween books because it cuts across the age gambit so not only kids will thoroughly enjoy it, but adults will as well. Evie lives with her Aunt Des and doesnât have too many rules except one: do not ever go into the abandoned slaughterhouse on the edge of town. But when her aunt suddenly goes missing, Evie feels compelled to go and search for her there. This is when some strange things happen. This story will keep you on the edge of your seat.and is somewhat eerie but with plenty of heart. Evie faces her fears and becomes a hero in the story. Caceresâ black and white etchings sprinkled throughout are amazing and add to the atmospheric mood set up by Senf. The ages recommended are for ten and up.
