Book Review: 'Vunce Upon a Time' by J.otto Seibold & Siobhan Vivian

✰✰✰✰✰  Dagmar is a very shy, little vampire. He's afraid of humans, and he's even a vegetarian! While he likes eating veggies, he loves candy even more. Unfortunately, his vegetable garden is slow to grow, and his secret stash of candy is almost out. What's a hungry, vegetarian vampire to do? Go trick-or-treating, of course. There's just one problem (or maybe two), Dagmar doesn't have a costume, and he's really, really afraid of people. Will he find the courage he needs to to out on Halloween to replenish his stash of candy before he runs out? Check out this popular picture book to find out.

The Bottom Line: Seibold's vivid, digitally created illustrations are a real treat in this humorous, yet charming, Halloween book about friendship and courage. A spooktacular read for kids ages 3 - 8 and highly recommended for storytimes.

Details: Vunce Upon a Time written by J.otto Seibold & Siobhan Vivian and illustrated by J.otto Seibold. Picture book published by Chronicle Books in 2008. Unpaged. ISBN: 978-0-8118-6271-4

Book Review: 'Scary, Scary Halloween' by Eve Bunting

 

✰✰✰✰✰ Two green eyes peer out into the darkness and watch carefully as a skeleton passes by. Soon there are witches, goblins, gremlins, a ghost, and even a vampire parading by as the narrator wonders if it's safe to go outside. It must be Halloween, but when will it ever be safe to go out? Check out this spooky tale to find out.

The Bottom Line: Bunting and Brett are a fabulous combination when it comes to picture books. With intriguing text and fantastic, full color illustrations with lots of spooky details, they'll keep you guessing who the narrator is until the very end. Enthusiastically recommended for spooky, seasonal reading for kids in grades 1 - 3.

Details: Scary, Scary Halloween written by Eve Bunting & illustrated by Jan Brett. Picture book published by Clarion Books in 1986. 40 p. ISBN: 0-89919-414-1

Book Review: 'Zen Ghosts' by John Muth

✰✰✰✰½ It's Halloween, and by the end of the evening Addy, Michael, and Karl have loads of candy treats. However, the fun's not over yet. Their panda friend, Stillwater, has one more surprise waiting for them. A mysterious panda storyteller draws them a story, and when it's finished, the kids are mystified. What happened to Stillwater, and just who was this mysterious storyteller? You'll be left wondering too when you check out this seasonal treat.

The Bottom Line: This gentle Halloween ghost story contains a story within a story that will make the reader think about who they really are. Muth's beautiful artwork in watercolor and ink tell the tale as much as the text. Highly recommended for storytimes for grades 1 - 4. Check out the Author's Note at the end for discussion ideas.

Details: Zen Ghosts written & illustrated by John Muth. Picture book published by Scholastic Press in 2010. 40 p. ISBN: 978-439-63430-4 

Book Review: 'Ghoulia' by Barbara Cantini

✰✰✰½ Ghoulia is a little zombie girl who lives in a haunted manor. Although she has her dog to play with, she longs to play with children her own age. Unfortunately, her dear Auntie Departed has warned her many times to hide from the local children in the village. But Ghoulia is not your ordinary little zombie girl. When she learns about Halloween, she comes up with a plan to join in the fun. Will it work? Or will Auntie Departed foil her plans? Check out this first book in a fun new series to find out.

The Bottom Line: Ghoulia just wants to be ordinary, and tries very hard to fit in. When she finally learns to be herself, she discovers that making friends isn't scary at all. Recommended for kids in grade school, who enjoy creepy little tales of friendship.

Details: Ghoulia (Book 1) by Barbara Cantini. Hardcover published by Amulet Books in 2018. 64 p. ISBN: 978-1-4197-3293-5

Book Review: 'Pumpkin Moon' by Tim Preston

✰✰✰ It's Halloween, and when the trick-or-treaters are finished, the Jack-o'-lanterns come out to play. After midnight they sail off porches and through the woods, flying high into the night sky. Up and up they go to unite as the Pumpkin Moon.

The Bottom Line: Bartram's big, bold artwork is the highlight of this seasonal picture book. I read a well-used copy that older children will enjoy. However, this pick might be a bit frightening for little ones.

Details: Pumpkin Moon written by Tim Preston & illustrated by Simon Bartram. Picture book published by Dutton Children's Books in 2001. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-525-46713-7

Book Review: 'Mouse's First Halloween' by Lauren Thompson

✰✰✰✰✰ On one spooky night, a little mouse creeps out and encounters a spooky noise. Not to worry, it's just bats. As the little mouse creeps along, he hears more spooky noises. "Flit! Flit! Flit!" " Plop! Plop! Plop!" What could the noises be? The brave little mouse continues on his night out only to discover that maybe it's fun to be just a little scared after all.

The Bottom Line: This sweet adventure tale is perfect for little ones who are tiny bit reluctant to celebrate Halloween. Illustrated in bold colors, with rhyming verses, repetition, and large print, this seasonal picture book is just a little bit creepy. Highly recommended for children ages 2 - 5 and for story times.

Details: Mouse's First Halloween written by Lauren Thompson & illustrated by Buket Erdogan. Picture book published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers in 2003. 34p. ISBN: 978-0-689-83176-8

Book Review: 'Frankie Stein Starts School' by Lola M. Schaefer

✰✰✰✰½ In a world full of monsters and ghouls, young Frankie Stein is a clean-cut kid. When he starts Miss Wart's Academy for Ghouls & Goblins, the other kids notice the difference right away. Despite being bullied and teased, Frankie tries his best to be scary and gross. When Frankie mixes a potion and grows frightening fangs, the other kids are impressed. Through perseverance, Frankie demonstrates that there's more to being scary than just looks.

The Bottom Line: This story illustrates that you shouldn't judge a book just by the cover. There's so much more to people if you just give them the opportunity to shine. With big, bold art by Atteberry, this picture book is a fun pick for a seasonal storytime. Highly recommended for kids ages 5 - 8.

Details: Frankie Stein Starts School written by Lola M. Schaefer & illustrated by Kevan Atteberry. Picture book published by Marshall Cavendish Children in 2010. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-7614-5656-8

Book Review: 'Trick or Treat' written & illustrated by Leo Landry

✰✰✰✰ When a little ghost named Oliver plans the spookiest party ever, he makes sure all of his spooky friends are invited to the empty house at the end of the street. However, after all the witches, skeletons, bats, and ghosts have arrived, there's one last knock at the door. Who could it be? When Oliver answers, he's surprised by two extra guests who say, "Trick or Treat!" What's a ghost to do? Trick them or give them a treat? Everyone is in for a fun surprise. To find out what is is, check out this Halloween treat and read on.

The Bottom Line: With simple text and playful, watercolor illustrations, Landry delivers a spooky and fun seasonal winner. Enthusiastically recommended for beginning readers in grades Pre-K - 1, especially for little ones a bit hesitant about Halloween.

Details: Trick or Treat written & illustrated by Leo Landry. Picture book published by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children in 2012. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-547-24969-8

Book Review: 'The Sisters of Straygarden Place' by Hayley Chewins

✰✰✰½ Winnow, Mayhap, and Pavonine Ballastian have been living alone at Straygarden Place ever since their parents left them behind seven years ago. The house is surrounded by strange, silver grass and floating trees, and their parents warned the three sisters never to go outside. The girls never want for anything as the magical house takes care of their every need, but then one day Winnow goes outside. When she returns, it's obvious to Mayhap and Pavonine that something is very wrong with her. Mayhap is determined to help her ailing sister, but what she uncovers may destroy their very existence. With time running out to save Winnow, the young girls must make decisions that will change everything.

The Bottom Line: Despite a slow start, the author eventually drew me in with her haunting prose, and the book turned into a real page-turner. The setting features a bit of creepiness as the children grow up with everything taken care of for them. However, what really shines through in this book is the bond of sisterly love. Recommended for middle grade readers and young adults who enjoy reading fantasy and horror. There are a lot of magical elements in this story that readers will appreciate as well.

Details: The Sisters of Straygarden Place by Hayley Chewins. ARC published by Candlewick Press in 2020. 208 p. ISBN: 978-1-5362-1227-3 NOTE: I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was made possible via the Early Reviewers program at LibraryThing.

Book Review: 'Six Creepy Sheep' by Judith Ross Enderle & Stephanie Gordon Tessler

✰✰✰✰ When six creepy decide to go trick-or-treating on a spooky Halloween night, they’re the ones in for a surprise. As they go a-haunting, the six creepy sheep meet their matches one-by-one, until...there’s only one left. Where did they all go? Turn the pages of this quick holiday read to discover a fun twist ending and happy surprise.

The Bottom Line: With rhyming text, this picture book is suited for storytimes for beginning readers. It’s a super short and super fun read for kids learning to count backwards, and it’s a great way to introduce kids to the concept of collective nouns too. O’Brien’s Goreyesque illustrations create a lighthearted spookiness, and the use of a Halloween color palette adds to the fun. For kids ages 3 and up.

Details: Six Creepy Sheep written by Judith Ross Enderle & Stephanie Gordon Tessler and illustrated by John O’Brien. Picture book published by Caroline House in 1992. 24 p. ISBN: 1-56397-092-9

Book Review: 'The Bones of Fred McFee' by Eve Bunting

✰✰✰✰½ The creepy fun begins when a brother and sister bring home a plastic skeleton from the harvest fair. High up in a sycamore tree, the skeleton dances with glee. The plastic bones of Fred McFee click and clack in the wind. Once Halloween is over, the bones will be put away until next year, but where are they? The children search and search; there’s nothing to be found but a grave beneath the tree. What could have happened? Where did Fred McFee go? He’s gone! Or is he? Check out this spooktactular tale for a frightfully good scare.

The Bottom Line: This is a spooky tale for kids ages 5 - 8. The rhythmic story is great for reading aloud, and the colorful  illustrations in scratchboard and watercolor add to the creepy fun. Highly recommended Halloween reading, but keep your little ones close because this tale might be a bit scary for some tiny tots.

Details: The Bones of Fred McFee written by Eve Bunting & illustrated by Kurt Cyrus. Picture book published by Harcourt Children’s Books in 2002. 32 p. ISBN: 0-15-202004-7

Book Review: 'Rise of Zombert' by Kara LaReau

✰✰✰½ Mellie and Danny are two best friends in the fourth grade. Mellie's parents believe in free-range parenting, which gives Mellie lots of time to hang with Danny as he films his next horror flick. On one of the filming days, Mellie discovers a weak, bedraggled cat in a bin behind the YummCo Foods factory. The cat is so pathetic, she takes him home and names him Bert. 

Wanting to be a good pet owner, Mellie reads up on cat behavior and is worried when Bert refuses to eat the expensive YummCo cat food she bought. Soon she's in for a surprise when Bert starts bringing her 'presents' in the form of decapitated creatures. The more creatures he presents, the better he begins to look. Mellie and Danny wonder what's going on. Is Bert feeding off the brains? Where does Bert go when he disappears? Is he actually a zombie cat? There's plenty of mystery to solve in this first book of The Zombert Chronicles.

The Bottom Line: This quick read is told from multiple points of view, including from the cat's point of view, which is really interesting. With two best friends and a mysterious cat, this book focuses on friendship, bullying, family issues, and caring for a pet. This is the first installment of a new series, and while not for squeamish readers, young fans of horror and mystery will appreciate the creepy vibe and want to know what happens in the next installment.

Details: Rise of Zombert written by Kara LaReau & illustrated by Ryan Andrews. Advance Reading Copy published by Candlewick Press in 2020. 144 p. ISBN: 978-1-5362-0106-2 [NOTE: I received a complimentary review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was made possible via the Early Reviewers program at LibraryThing. Also, some interior images were not final at the time I did this review.] 

Book Review: 'Fright Club' by Ethan Long

✰✰✰✰ The Fright Club meets annually to practice making ghoulish faces and chilling sounds. Only the most frightening monsters are invited to join, but that’s not fair! When a sweet bunny and some cute little critters ask to join, Vladimir the Vampire won’t allow it. After all, what would these cute critters know about being scary? The monsters don’t have time to waste as they brush up on their scary skills without the bunny and his cute friends. Not to worry, the cute critters have a plan, and they won’t give up. Will Vladimir eventually give in and let them join? Read this spooky tale to find out!

The Bottom Line: This is a cute seasonal picture book with adorable illustrations in soft, muted colors, but there’s a deeper message here: Everything’s more fun when EVERYONE is included. This would be a frightfully fun choice for story time for kids in grades K - 2.

Details: Fright Club written & illustrated by Ethan Long. Picture book published by Bloomsbury in 2015. 32 P. ISBN: 978-1-61963-337-7