Book Review: 'Stumpkin' by Lucy Ruth Cummins

✰✰✰✰✰ A few days before Halloween, the pumpkins were waiting to be picked and taken home where they will be transformed into amazing jack-o'-lanterns. All the pumpkins were excited, except for Stumpkin. He was perfect in every way, but one. He was missing his stem. But what’s a stem when he had so many other great qualities to offer? One by one all the other pumpkins are picked until it’s only Stumpkin and the gourd. Who will get picked, and who will get left behind?

The Bottom Line: This darling seasonal book highlights the old adage that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Illustrated in traditional Halloween colors with gouache, pencil, ink, and brush marker, the sweet ending will have you seeing things in a new light. Highly recommended for storytimes for kids in grades Pre-K - 2.

Details: Stumpkin written & illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins. Picture book published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers in 2018. 56 p. ISBN: 978-1534413627

Book Review: 'How to Build a Haunted House' by Frank Tupta

✰✰✰✰ When a family of vampires becomes displaced, the other monsters pitch in to build them a new home. Time is of the essence because the new house must be ready before the sun comes up. Each monster brings a special skill to the project, and soon the house is almost complete. Almost, but not quite. With the sun just beginning to rise, they’ll need a favor from the witches. Will the vampire family be able to move in before the sun comes up or are they doomed? Check out this book from the library to read on.

The Bottom Line: This fun, seasonal book features singsongy rhymes that are fun to read aloud. As a story of teamwork to help others in need, this book encourages kids to be kind and helpful. With colorful, humorous, engaging illustrations created in digital media, this page-turner is sure to please kids ages 5 - 7.

Details: How to Build a Haunted House written by Frank Tupta & illustrated by Kyle Beckett. Picture book published by Two Lions in 2020. 40 p. ISBN: 978-1542005432 

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