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: 'Trick or Treat, Bugs to Eat' by Tracy Gold

✰✰✰✰✰ Follow an adorable little bat as it goes "trick-or-treating" to find yummy bugs to munch on. He searches high and low to find the crunchy Halloween treats up in the sky and down on the ground. With large print and rhyming words, this book is perfect for kiddos just learning to read.

The Bottom Line: This adorable little picture book with rhyming verse and digitally created full color art is sure to please little ones. It's just so cute and a tiny bit spooky. And as an added bonus, the back of the book features several pages with awesome facts about bats. Check out this super adorable book for some seasonal, fall fun.

Details: Trick or Treat, Bugs to Eat words by Tracy C. Gold & pictures by Nancy Leschnikoff. Hardcover picture book published by Sourcebooks Explore in 2021. 40 p. ISBN: 978-1-7282-3329-1 

Book Review: 'Trick or Treat on Scary Street' by Lance Bass

✰✰✰✰½ It’s Halloween, and like a carnival barker, one little trick-or-treater entices the others to follow him down Scary Street. It’s dark and spooky, but oh so intriguing. What will they find? Enter a gingerbread house or haunted mansion, if you dare. One by one they dwindle down from a group of thirteen to a lone trick-or-treater. What’s in store for him at the end of Scary Street? The answer will surprise you!

The Bottom Line: I absolutely adore Garrigue’s dark, spooky, atmospheric illustrations in purples, blacks, yellows, and oranges. Written with rhymes, kids will find it easy to follow along. This spooktakular treat is highly recommended seasonal reading for kids ages ages 5 - 9 who enjoy picture books with spookier, darker images.

Details: Trick or Treat on Scary Street written by Lance Bass & illustrated by Roland Garrigue. Picture book published by Union Square Kids in 2024. 40 p. ISBN: 978-1454952176

Book Review: 'Just Say Boo!' by Susan Hood

✰✰✰½ If you’ve ever wondered what to say when encountering a spooky friend or foe, Just Say Boo! has just the right words for you. For all types of spooky situations like encounters with wind, wet leaves, skeletons, and dinosaurs, this book has the answers. Don’t know what to say when you receive a treat? Just look it up here. Scared of bugs? Just look it up here. And wondering how to deal with a crying baby? Look no further. Check out this book for seasonal answers. 

The Bottom Line: With catchy rhyming verses and festive, autumnal watercolor illustrations, this seasonal picture book will delight kids ages 3 - 7. It is especially helpful for bashful children who might wonder what to say in new situations or for little ones a tiny bit afraid of some spooky fun. 

Details: Just Say Boo! written by Susan Hood & illustrated by Jed Henry. Picture book published by Harper in 2012. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-06-201029-2 

Book Review: 'Tracks in the Snow' by Wong Herbert Yee

 

✰✰✰✰½ A curious little girl sets off in the snow to follow a set of tracks. Who made these tracks? And where do they go? She follows the tracks through rocks and across a bridge, but there's many more to follow. Into the wintry woods she goes looking for a rabbit or maybe a bear or perhaps a woodchuck. Where will she end up? And who made the tracks? Read this sweet little story to solve the mystery.

The Bottom Line: Check out this easy read with rhyming verses and repetition. Tots who enjoy exploring nature will appreciate the engaging illustrations in colored pencil as they follow this little girl's adventure through the snowy woods. Highly recommended for beginning readers ages 2 - 5. 

Details: Tracks in the Snow written & illustrated by Wong Herbert Yee. Picture book published by Henry Holt & Company in 2003. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0805067712