Book Review: 'Veronica's Room: A Melodrama' by Ira Levin

✰✰✰✰✰ It’s 1973, and a young couple is enticed to visit a mansion. The young woman, Susan, is asked to play a simple role to ease the mind of a dying woman. All she has to do is pretend to be someone else for a few minutes, and there’s only one line to say. Susan is intrigued, but hesitant. Who is this Veronica that she would be pretending to be? Wanting to be helpful, Susan ignores the red flags and dresses up as Veronica. The resemblance is uncanny, and Susan is sure she can pull this off. However, the tables are turned when she finds herself locked inside Veronica’s bedroom. With everyone now insisting that it’s 1935 and that Susan is actually Veronica, Susan starts to question reality. Is she Susan, a student at BU? Or is she the insane Veronica, who needs to be kept locked up? The ending will shock you.

The Bottom Line: I was actually searching for a copy of The Stepford Wives, when I stumbled upon this gem. This slim volume is a real attention getter, and it will keep you guessing right up to the very end. With just a few characters, this play blurs the line between fantasy and madness. It actually gave me chills, and I would love to see this performed at the theatre. Highly recommended for fans of dramas, thrillers, horror, and mystery.

Details: Veronica’s Room: A Melodrama by Ira Levin Hardcover published by Random House in 1974. 87 p. ISBN: 0394491459 

Book Review: 'A Teeny Tiny Halloween' by Lauren Wohl

✰✰✰✰ The teeny tiny woman has a not so teeny tiny problem. Every Fall her teeny tiny house is buried in leaves; this year is no exception. With no way out, the teeny tiny woman tries to summon help. Unfortunately no one can hear her. What is she to do? Wait until Spring? Fortunately, the teeny tiny woman has a little plan up her sleeve. Will it be enough to help her get rescued in time for Halloween?

The Bottom Line: This book was written for storytelling. The size of the font lets the storyteller know how loud their voice should be, ranging from a whisper to shouting. Illustrations in a seasonal palette of oranges, browns, and golden yellows add to the Halloween fun. This “jump tale” is awesome seasonal reading for storytimes and other spooky read-aloud events.

Details: A Teeny Tiny Halloween written by Lauren L. Wohl & illustrated by Henry Cole. Picture book published by Persnickety Press in 2016. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1943978-02-1 

Book Review: 'Very Scary' by Tony Johnston

✰✰✰✰✰ The biggest pumpkin in a patch soaks up the moon, and shines bright. Shining so brightly, it gets a lot of attention from creatures of the night, and one witch, who wants to bake it. The pumpkin tries to look scary, but the witch isn’t buying it. Just as she reaches for it, some children swoop in and transform the pumpkin into a jack-o'-lantern. Will it be enough to scare the witch away? Turn the pages to find out.

The Bottom Line: Featuring festive watercolor illustrations on vellum paper, this seasonal tale is a fun read. In case you missed it, look closely, there are hidden faces, shadows, and hints on the pages, so go back and have a second read. Enthusiastically recommended reading with your little one aged 4 - 7.

Details: Very Scary written by Tony Johnston & illustrated by Douglas Florian. Picture book published by Harcourt Brace & Company in 1995. 32 p. ISBN: 0-15-298625-4