Book Review: 'Return of ZomBert' by Kara LaReau

✰✰✰✰ ZomBert is back along with Mellie and Danny in the spooky second installment of this series. Bert is settling into a cozy life with Mellie and her family. He knows he needs to rest and recuperate, and with Mellie's care, Bert is growing smarter and healthier every day. He's even beginning to understand words. However, he hasn't forgotten about the ones he left behind in the lab when he escaped. As he tries to figure out a way to return to the lab and keep his promise to the other animals, Mellie decides to enter him in the YummCo Best Pet Contest. 

While going to school and working odd jobs to pay for Bert's care, Mellie befriends an elderly neighbor who's husband used to work at YummCo. Mrs. Witt confides in Mellie that some things at YummCo aren't what they seem. As Mellie works with Bert to learn tricks for the upcoming contest, Danny continues his filming project. When Bert's big day comes, Mellie hopes he has what it takes to win the contest, but the competition is steep. In the blink of an eye, Bert is whisked away and finds himself exactly where he wants to be...in the lab. It's just not how he planned it. Now Bert must figure out how to save himself as well as the others, while Mellie and Danny are left to wonder what happened to Bert.

The Bottom Line: This quick read leads the reader through several twists and turns and ends in a nail-biting cliffhanger. The story is told via multiple points of view, including the cat's, which makes for really interesting reading. The characters face challenges together and grow in friendship. Middle grade fans of mystery and horror will enjoy this next tale of The ZomBert Chronicles.

Details: Return of ZomBert written by Kara LaReau & illustrated by Ryan Andrews. Hardcover published by Candlewick Press in 2021. 161 p. ISBN: 978-1536201079 [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.] 

Book Review: 'The Great Pumpkin Contest' by Angie Rozelaar

✰✰✰✰ This is a tale of two little cats who have the same goal: to win the Great Pumpkin Contest. Even though they live right next door to each other, Mimi and Clara have very different approaches to growing their pumpkins. When the time comes, they separately take their entries to the contest. Mimi with one very large pumpkin, and Clara with her beautiful little ones. Along the way, one of them meets with disaster. Will the little cat ever be able to make friends now? A heartfelt gesture by a neighbor, makes the cats realize what is really the most important. 

The Bottom Line: Rozelaar serves up a charming picture book featuring the importance of friendship. Children will gravitate to the beautiful and bright illustrations created with water-soluble crayons, gouache, and collage. This seasonal book is perfect for little ones in Pre-K through K. 

Details: The Great Pumpkin Contest written & illustrated by Angie Rozelaar. Picture book published by Katherine Tegen Books in 2019. 40 p. ISBN: 978-0062741370

Book Review: 'Halloween Monster' by Catherine Stock

✰✰✰✰½ Most kids can't wait to go trick-or-treating, but Tommy's not so sure he wants to go. After his friend, Billy, tells him that all the witches and ghosts will be out and about on Halloween night, Tommy is hesitant. That night he checks around for ghosts and monsters before hiding in bed. Will a gentle talk with his mom convince him there's nothing to be afraid of? Or will he skip Halloween this year? Check out this classic tale to read with your Halloween hesitant little one to find out. 

The Bottom Line: This gentle tale of a little boy who faces his fears is worth reading with your little before getting ready for Halloween for the first time. The story paired with soft watercolor illustrations expertly explains the holiday to little ones. Highly recommended for preschoolers who are hesitant to go trick-or-treating. Also, recommended for story times.

Details: Halloween Monster written & illustrated by Catherine Stock. Picture book published by Bradbury Press in 1990. 32 p. ISBN: 002788404X

Book Review: 'Sammy's Spooktacular Halloween' by Mike Petrik

✰✰✰✰ The Loomis family always puts together the best haunted house in the neighborhood. The youngest, Little Sammy Loomis, loves everything about Halloween, the candy, the pumpkins, the fog, but most of all he loves having fun. That's why the day after Halloween, he gets right to work planning their next haunted house. His brother and sister tease him because he is too little, but Sammy decides to forge ahead. He puts the scare into Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and even the 4th of July. Unfortunately, his family has had enough. Just when he gives up, his brother and sister decide to lend a hand. Together they come up with the best haunted house yet, and Sammy already has plans for the next one.

The Bottom Line: With a little perseverance and teamwork, a young boy and his family put together the best Halloween haunted house ever. Bright and bold illustrations rendered in digital media will delight children ages 3 - 6. Enthusiastically recommended for seasonal reading and story times. Kids will be rooting for this little boy to succeed.

Details: Sammy's Spooktacular Halloween by Mike Petrik. Picture book published by Two Lions in 2018. 40 p. ISBN: 978-1503901797

Book Review: 'No Zombies Allowed' by Matt Novak

✰✰✰½ Witch Wizzle and Witch Woddle are planning their annual monster party, but first they need to do some cleaning. As they tidy up, they discover a photo from last year's party. Looking at the photo gives them pause for thought. So they decide it might be best not to invite the zombies, and they put up a sign. As they continues cleaning, more photos reveal other party disasters like the werewolves, skeletons, and ghosts, and more signs follow. Last but not least, let's not forget the witches, but wait a minute. The last photos reveal a surprise that lead Witch Wizzle and Witch Woddle to reconsider and put up one last sign. Will this be the party of the year or a complete disaster? You'll have to find out for yourself because what happens at the party, stays at the party.

The Bottom Line: This humorous book illustrates what happens when everyone is excluded, and the two witches discover that it's more fun when everyone can participate. Colorful watercolors illustrate the antics. Fun seasonal reading for ages 4 - 6.

Details: No Zombies Allowed written & illustrated by Matt Novak. Picture book published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers in 2002. 32 p. ISBN: 0689841302

Book Review: 'Mrs. McMurphy's Pumpkin' by Rick Walton

✰✰✰✰½ Mrs. McMurphy is a sweet lady who lives all by herself on a farm with pigs, cows, and chickens. There's lots to do before Halloween when she finds a large pumpkin with a wicked grin has let itself inside her house. She takes it out, only to find it inside again the next day. Mrs. McMurphy kindly takes it back outside again...and again...and again. When the pumpkin reappears on Halloween, Mrs. McMurphy has a surprise for it that you won't see coming. Check out this frightening tale for some fun seasonal reading.

The Bottom Line: This sweet, but scary picture book with a surprise twist ending is perfect for kids ages 7 - 8 who are just beginning to enjoy a little bit of horror. Illustrator Delana Bettoli created idyllic farm scenes in gouache and acrylic on watercolor paper for this book. Enthusiastically recommended for seasonal reading.

Details: Mrs. McMurphy's Pumpkin written by Rick Walton & illustrated by Delana Bettoli. Picture book published by HarperFestival in 2004. 32 p. ISBN: 0060534095