Review - Pumpkin Heads

Pumpkin Heads
by Wendell Minor
Date: 2000
Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Halloween is time to pick pumpkins and carve them into pumpkin heads--jack-o'-lanterns of every shape and size!

Award-winning author and artist Wendell Minor uses simple language and striking autumn settings to celebrate jack-o'-lanterns in this reissue of a Halloween classic. The perfect holiday read aloud, Pumpkin Heads takes readers and trick-or-treaters from the pumpkin patch for picking, all the way home for carving, and gets everyone in the Halloween spirit.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

While some of the illustrations in Pumpkin Heads are lovely, the book is rather simple and uninteresting. I'm not a fan of the layout, which pairs a page of sparse text and a translucent pumpkin with a fully illustrated page depicting the various carved pumpkins. The resulting look is uneven, with the text pages appearing slapped together while the illustrated pages look like they were laboured over. There's no story; the text is just a means to introduce the pumpkins.

Can we mention the cover for a moment? Am I the only one who thinks this looks like a horror story? That particular arrangement of pumpkins is supposed to be a snowman, but it looks rather menacing.

I'm not sure who I'd recommend this one to. Children old enough to appreciate the artwork probably won't be impressed by the lack of story. Children young enough not to care about the story might be unnerved by some of the illustrations.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 2/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 2/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.33 out of 5

Review - The Secret Halloween Costume

The Secret Halloween Costume
by Sophie Vaillancourt
illustrated by Karina Dupuis
Date: 2021
Publisher: CrackBoom! Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 34
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

A Halloween story for little ones!

Charlotte is a young witch. For Halloween, her family insists she must wear her darkest clothes and scariest makeup. After all, a witch must be spooky! But Charlotte doesn't want to follow tradition - she wants to wear something that reflects who she is. She asks her grandmother to sew her a secret costume... But what will it be?

An adorable Halloween story about an enthusiastic little witch who follows her heart and inspires others to do the same!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This simple Halloween story has appealing illustrations and an okay message... as long as you interpret it a certain way.

Charlotte is a witch, but she's had enough of being scary. On Halloween, all the witches dress up in their scariest clothes and makeup. It's tradition! But Charlotte is tired of the whole scary thing, and when her friends find out how she's feeling, they try to help her find a new costume.

I have no problem with any of this. What kind of bothers me, though, was that when Charlotte gets to school and shows off her new costume, that isn't the end of it. She assumes all the other kids dislike scary stuff as much as she does, and proceeds to bring out a bunch of non-scary costumes, declaring: "No one has to be scary for Halloween." She follows this by saying that the kids should wear whatever they like, but I thought it came off as a little pushy on Charlotte's part, since the kids all seem to be happily decked out in their scary costumes and makeup. Then the teacher declares that the kids are free to wear whatever they like, implying that everyone was literally forced to get scary... which perhaps should've been addressed with more than a weak excuse about tradition. (As far as I know, a tradition isn't a mandate.)

Anyway, I'm sure this book will appeal to kids, as it's bright, appealing, and fairly inoffensive. Some of them might wonder, though, what's so wrong with a scary costume on Halloween.

Thank you to NetGalley and CrackBoom! Books for providing a digital ARC.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3 out of 5

Review - The Happy Pumpkin

The Happy Pumpkin
illustrated by MacKenzie Haley
Date: 2021
Publisher: DK Publishing
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 16
Format: e-book
Source: library

On Halloween, the scariest and spookiest night of the year, pumpkins are looking forward to meeting their new owners! While everyone is getting picked, one pumpkin feels left out - the happiest and smiliest of the lot. He can't help but think that nobody wants a not-so-spooky pumpkin on Halloween. Will our Happy Pumpkin find a home in time?

The adventure of this perky little pumpkin will teach little ones vital life lessons about being themselves and not judging others based on their appearance. This heartwarming story is filled with adorable, engaging illustrations - the perfect Halloween treat for you and your little one to read together at storytime!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This book doesn't even make sense. Judging by the fact that there isn't even an author listed, it looks like nothing more than an opportunity for the publisher to cash in on Halloween by releasing a book about pumpkins. But it's ridiculous. Near the beginning, the book states:

Today, every pumpkin in town

would be chosen by a child and

made into a shining, but

SCARY jack-o'-lantern.

What's the problem? The accompanying illustration is of a field full of jack-o'-lanterns. These pumpkins are already carved! I guess the idea of plunging a carving knife into an anthropomorphized pumpkin's head was just too much. But now the story doesn't make any sense.

So, anyway, nobody wants the Happy Pumpkin because he's smiley rather than scary. Finally, a little boy who's scared of Halloween takes the Happy Pumpkin. And we're all taught that we shine the brightest when we're just being ourselves.

The illustrations are fine. They're kind of cute, actually. But I feel sorry for the illustrator when they were given this mess of a story. I'll bet there was a lot of head-scratching going on. "So the kids are supposed to pick pre-carved pumpkins and turn them into jack-o'-lanterns? What kind of pumpkin patch is this?"

Just another holiday money grab. Moving on...

Premise: 1/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 2/5

Enjoyment: 1/5

Overall: 1.83 out of 5

Review - The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt

The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt
by Riel Nason
illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler
Date: 2020
Publisher: Tundra Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 48
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

When you're a quilt instead of a sheet, being a ghost is hard! An adorable picture book for fans of Stumpkin and How to Make Friends with a Ghost.

Ghosts are supposed to be sheets, light as air and able to whirl and twirl and float and soar. But the little ghost who is a quilt can't whirl or twirl at all, and when he flies, he gets very hot.

He doesn't know why he's a quilt. His parents are both sheets, and so are all of his friends. (His great-grandmother was a lace curtain, but that doesn't really help cheer him up.) He feels sad and left out when his friends are zooming around and he can't keep up.

But one Halloween, everything changes. The little ghost who was a quilt has an experience that no other ghost could have, an experience that only happens because he's a quilt . . . and he realizes that it's OK to be different.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a book about a ghost who is a quilt. Did you know that most ghosts are sheets? This makes them light and airy and able to twirl in the air. The little ghost who was a quilt, on the other hand, is heavy due to his layers of fabric. The other ghosts laugh and call him Scrappy. He doesn't like that.

But, one Halloween night, the little ghost who was a quilt ends up having an adventure that only he could have... because of his very nature.

This is pretty amusing. The pictures are cute and the overall premise is adorable.

I'd definitely recommend this one for readers looking for unique Halloween books, as well as those who like books about celebrating unique strengths.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tundra Books for providing a digital ARC.

Premise: 5/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 5/5

Enjoyment: 5/5

Overall: 4.67 out of 5

Review - Bears and Boos

Bears and Boos
by Shirley Parenteau
illustrated by David Walker
Date: 2020
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

The adorable bears are excited to dress up for Halloween — but are there enough costumes for everyone?

Big Brown Bear and the four little bears can’t wait to dress up for Halloween. Everyone grabs their costumes from the costume box, but — oops! — in the rush, Floppy is knocked on her furry behind, and now there are no costumes left for her! Fuzzy says she’s sorry and offers Floppy a golden gown. Then each of the other bears shares an item with Floppy, and soon she’s dressed like a queen — just in time for the parade! Shirley Parenteau and David Walker combine cheerful read-aloud rhyme and irresistibly charming art in another story for the youngest cubs and their big bears.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Bears and Boos is a Halloween-themed story about five bears who want to dress up. But in the melee, one of the bears misses out and doesn't manage to grab a costume. Luckily, she has kind friends, and they offer up parts of their costumes so she can dress up and join in the fun.

The rhythm of the verse is a bit off in spots, but it isn't too bad overall. The story is simple and sweet. Adorable illustrations of the bears highlight the message of caring and kindness.

Overall, this would be a nice addition to the Halloween shelf. I'd recommend it to very young children, however, due to the simplicity of the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Candlewick Press for providing a digital ARC.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: 2/5
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3 out of 5

Review - The Hallo-Wiener

The Hallo-Wiener
by Dav Pilkey
Date: 1995
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Oscar is a little dog with a big problem -- the other dogs tease him all the time. But one brave act makes Oscar a Grade-A hero, proving that a little wiener can be a real winner!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Of course my library hold for a Halloween picture book comes in a few days after Halloween.

The Hallo-Wiener is great fun. It's full of puns, and the hero is an adorable dachshund.

Oscar's often made fun of by the other dogs for being short and long. They taunt him with cries of, "Wiener dog!" But he doesn't care, because it's Halloween, and he's ready to put together a great scary costume. Unfortunately, his mother is one step ahead of him, and she's got a costume ready and waiting: a hot dog bun. Poor Oscar doesn't want to hurt her feelings, so he puts on the costume. The other dogs think it's hilarious. They all go out trick-or-treating, but Oscar can't keep up, and the quicker dogs ahead of him are emptying all the neighbours' treat bowls. It isn't until the other dogs run into a scary situation that Oscar's size, smarts, and costume are an advantage. He shows the others that he's a great dog to have on their side!

I have to admit that I haven't read any Captain Underpants books. So this was my first exposure to Dav Pilkey's work. I rather like the simple illustrations. And the puns... If you like that sort of thing, you'll eat this one up.

Overall, I'm pretty impressed. It's a clever tale with a likeable hero. I just wish I'd gotten to read it in time for Halloween!

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4 out of 5

Review - The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat

The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat (The Berenstain Bears)
by Stan & Jan Berenstain
Date: 1985
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

As Brother and Sister Bear don their costumes to go trick-or-treating by themselves for the first time, they plan to avoid Miz McGrizz's spooky home. But during their Halloween outing, the cubs discover that appearances can be deceiving.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I'm a little conflicted about this one. The writing is strong and the overall message about not judging others by appearances alone is a good one. However, the premise seems a little dated and doesn't take into account today's dangers and realities.

Brother and Sister go trick-or-treating without parental supervision for the first time. Of course, the first thing that happens is that they run into some "bad" older kids who want to play a trick on the neighbourhood crone. They approach her house, but before they can do anything, the old woman invites them in and gives them candy apples. This is enough to convince all the kids that she's a good person.

The scene where the old lady invites the kids in is way too reminiscent of "Hansel and Gretel" for me. Of course, Mama knows that the old woman isn't a threat--in fact, she's the one who tells the cubs that appearances can be deceiving in the first place--but I'm not sure if kids will pick up on that or if they'll just see the cubs accepting candy from strangers, overriding their own gut instinct to be wary of odd adults bearing treats.

This was probably a book that I read and enjoyed as a child. I'm not sure if I like it as an adult, though. I think it needs a bit of discussion on the side, especially about making the decision to enter a stranger's house when parents aren't around.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.17 out of 5

Review - The Littlest Witch

The Littlest Witch (A Littlest Book)
by Brandi Dougherty
illustrated by Jamie Pogue
Date: 2019
Publisher: Cartwheel Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 27
Format: e-book
Source: library

From the New York Times bestselling author who brought us The Littlest Elf comes a sweet new Halloween story filled with gentle spooky fun and one adorable little witch friend!

In this companion to The Littlest Mummy, Mae the Mummy's friend Wilma is the littlest witch in the Spooky Woods. She may be little, but Wilma knows this is the year she'll be able to fly with her family in the big broom-flying demonstration! But even though she knows the flying routine by heart, Wilma just isn't able to fly yet. Will Wilma be able to find a way to participate in the broom-flying fun, or is the littlest witch still too little?

(synopsis from Goodreads)

The Littlest Witch tells the story of Wilma, who is the smallest witch in her community. She'd like to fly in the broom-flying demonstration, and she knows the routine perfectly... but try as she might, she just can't keep up with the bigger witches. As she moves through the community offering assistance to the other witches, her small size keeps sabotaging her efforts. Finally, she has to admit that she's just too small. But on the day of the broom-flying demonstration, something goes wrong... and it turns out that, with the help of her mummy friend, she's the only one who can fix it.

The message here is that, even if you might not measure up physically, you can have other strengths that are just as important. I like the way Wilma is empowered to take charge and set things right with her ingenuity, preparation, and knowledge.

The illustrations are quite cute here. There's really nothing scary to look at, so it's a very gentle Halloween sort of story. (It seems that Mae the mummy previously appeared in her own story. If it's anything like The Littlest Witch, then it might be worth taking a look at.)

Overall, this is a strong Halloween picture book with lovely illustrations and a nice message. Recommended to those who like books about little witches who use their smarts to overcome their seeming disadvantages.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.67 out of 5

Review - Harriet's Halloween Candy

Harriet's Halloween Candy (Harriet)
by Nancy Carlson
Date: 1982
Publisher: Carolrhoda Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

It's Halloween, and although sharing might be okay the rest of the year, on this day Harriet's determined not to share her treats with her little brother, Walt. She is running out of places to hide her stash, and there's only one thing she can do... Harriet's hilarious—and tummy-aching—solution will delight everyone who reads this comical tale of a hard lesson learned. This 20th anniversary edition of a Halloween classic is now in a larger format.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

The Harriet books would've been around when I was a kid, but I don't remember seeing this character before. (Being completely unfamiliar with Harriet, I went through the first part of the book trying to figure out whether she was a dog or a bear!)

Harriet's Halloween Candy is a very simple story about gluttony and sharing. It has a similar plot to Jane O'Connor's Fancy Nancy: Candy Bonanza, though the narrative is even simpler. Basically, a child (in this case, a dog child) goes trick-or-treating, eats so much candy that they feel sick, and realizes the error of their ways. In this book, Harriet also learns to share (even though it's really her upset stomach that spurs her to share with her little brother rather than any generous feelings).

It's sort of cute, and young children will probably enjoy it. The illustrations are a bit flat and strange, though I think that was sort of the style of things back in the early 1980s (at least, I've seen quite a few picture books with a similar style from that era).

Overall, this isn't bad. I don't mind the plot, and the illustrations are passable. I guess I just wished it had a little more to the story (but I'm looking at it as an adult reader; children might love the simplicity).

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.67 out of 5

Review - The Itty-Bitty Witch

The Itty-Bitty Witch
by Trisha Speed Shaskan
illustrated by Xindi Yan
Date: 2019
Publisher: Two Lions
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: Amazon.ca

Betty can’t wait to be a first-grade witch. But on the first day of school, her classmates start calling her “Itty Bitty” because she’s small and still uses her kinder-broom. Betty doesn’t like the nickname—or how it makes her feel itty-bitty inside. So she comes up with a BIG idea to prove herself: winning the Halloween Dash.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is almost a really great Halloween picture book. The illustrations are fabulous, and the overall message about persevering despite being put down or bullied is great. But the book has a couple of weaknesses.

The first is the writing. It's a bit stilted in places and doesn't flow that smoothly. That's a minor quibble, though, compared to the second issue I have, which is that Betty basically comes out on top because she uses a different set of rules than everyone else. For the Halloween Dash (which is a broomstick race), the teacher, Ms. Fit, tells the class the layout of the course:

"Mind the cave and the trees. Stay on the path. Ride the breeze."

But what does Betty do? She leaves the path and flies through the cave, using her small size as an unfair advantage. On one hand, you can see how the book is trying to show that Betty is coming up with an ingenious solution to level the playing field. But, on the other hand, it's also showing that she doesn't have to follow the same rules as everyone else. Sure, the bullies learn that being itty-bitty isn't so bad, but I feel sorry for the other kids in the race who weren't acting like jerks, who followed the rules, and who lost because Betty decided to, basically, cheat.

That said, the book could offer a great starting point for discussions with kids about whether what Betty did was fair or not. And the illustrations are not to be missed. So I would tentatively recommend this one to those looking for picture books about overcoming bullying, as well as those who want some adorably illustrated Halloween books for their collection.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 5/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.5 out of 5

Review - Pumpkins, Pumpkins Everywhere

Pumpkins, Pumpkins Everywhere
by Smriti Prasadam-Halls
illustrated by Lorena Alvarez
Date: 2015
Publisher: Parragon
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

It’s Halloween, and there are pumpkins EVERYWHERE! Pumpkins with happy faces and sad faces, silly faces and mad faces. Pumpkins carved as spiders and cats, wolves and bats. Pumpkins glowing, pumpkins bright, and shining in the starry night. Follow the adventures of four little trick-or-treaters as they make their way to their town’s pumpkin parade.

This lively rhyming text explores the many possibilities of a carved pumpkin. Follow the children in their best Halloween costumes as they trick or treat their way to the pumpkin parade, with a fabulous luminescent orange glow of pumpkins.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This book is basically just a simple, repetitive poem illustrated with cute pictures. There are lots of things to look at and find in the illustrations, and the bouncy rhythm of the words is pretty good. I'm not sure if this will be a Halloween favourite of anyone except the youngest of children; there's not much of a story. But it would be a fun (and innocuous) addition to a child's Halloween library.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: 4/5
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.29 out of 5

Review - Llama Llama Trick or Treat

Llama Llama Trick or Treat (Llama Llama)
by Anna Dewdney
Date: 2014
Publisher: Viking Children's
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 14
Format: e-book
Source: library

Have a Happy Halloween with Llama Llama! Time to find the perfect costume, pick out a pumpkin for a jack-o’-lantern, and then go trick-or-treating with Mama and his friends!

This board book, with short and simple rhyming text and a smaller format, is just right for introducing Llama Llama to the youngest of listeners!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I think these board books are one of my favourite series of board books. They're short, but they're so cute. With excellent meter and rhyme, they'd be perfect for reading aloud. And it doesn't hurt that Llama Llama and his friends are absolutely adorable.

Highly recommended for the youngest of readers, especially if you're looking for toddler-friendly books for Halloween.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 3/5
Meter: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.71 out of 5

Review - At the Old Haunted House

At the Old Haunted House
by Helen Ketteman
illustrated by Nate Wragg
Date: 2014
Publisher: Two Lions
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: Amazon.ca

At the old haunted house
In a room with no sun
Lived a warty green witch
And her wee witchy one.

There are all kinds of creatures in the house: a big Ma monster and her wee monsters two, a scrawny black cat and her wee kittens three, a green Pa goblin and his wee goblins four, and more! Count along as the creatures prepare for the Halloween Fright. The text, written in the pattern of the popular poem “Over in the Meadow,” makes reading aloud fun, while the cinematic illustrations set the scene for an unforgettable romp through the old haunted house. Trick or treat!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I must admit, I don't think I'm that familiar with the poem "Over in the Meadow", which this is apparently based on. Still, At the Old Haunted House is a very cute Halloween book that can function as a story or as a counting book.

The rhyming text takes the reader through numbers from one to ten as various spooky creatures and their offspring get ready for... something. It isn't until the last pages that we understand what all the preparations are for. Along the way, we meet dancing werewolves, scratching black cats, and plenty of spiders.

The book is just creepy enough to be great for Halloween, but not so spooky that it's going to scare anyone. In fact, all of the creatures are pretty cute. I thought the rhymes were pretty good (which is always a plus, especially if you want to read the book aloud; this one would lend itself well to that) and the fun illustrations are full of life... even if some of the characters technically aren't!

If you're looking for strong Halloween picture books for young readers, you might want to give this one a try.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: 4/5
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.86 out of 5

Review - Fancy Nancy: Nancy's Ghostly Halloween

Fancy Nancy: Nancy's Ghostly Halloween (Fancy Nancy)
adapted by Krista Tucker
illustrated by the Disney Storybook Art Team
Date: 2018
Publisher: HarperFestival
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 24
Format: e-book
Source: library

Nancy can't wait to go trick-or-treating with Bree and JoJo, and to show off her fancy butterfly costume. But when something spooky catches their eye, the girls are in for a ghostly surprise.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I thought the other Fancy Nancy Halloween book I read was pretty weak, but this one is even worse. Based on an episode of the TV show, Nancy's Ghostly Halloween features an implausible plot and misses out on the fanciness that makes the character so special.

Nancy, Bree, and JoJo are going trick-or-treating. By themselves. Yes, in TV land, apparently a couple of six-year-old girls are responsible enough to take a three-year-old out to wander the streets in the dark. When the girls go out, JoJo is immediately frightened by a sheet, thinking it's a ghost. The older girls try to reassure her, but then JoJo accidentally gets covered in Nancy's cape and they think she's a ghost. They spend the rest of the book running away from the toddler they're supposed to be looking after.

I just don't like these books that are adapted from the TV series. I've seen a few episodes of the show now, and it's cute... but not as cute as Jane O'Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser's original books. Everything in the show is too slick, and not nearly fancy enough. (And what is the deal with Mrs. Devine? She looks like she got younger by about thirty years here!) Nancy is supposedly dressed as a butterfly, but really, she's just wearing a variation on her usual TV-show outfit with a pair of wings. (Look, the whole deal with Nancy is that she's fancy. Wearing the equivalent of your street clothes with a pair of wings--that can't even be seen under her cloak--is so not Nancy. At least in Candy Bonanza, she had a fancy costume befitting her character.)

The illustrations here are cute in their own right, but they're a bland representation of Nancy Clancy and everything she stands for. If you love the TV series, you might enjoy this book. Otherwise, give it a pass.

Premise: 2/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 2/5
Illustrations: 2/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.17 out of 5

Review - Fancy Nancy: Candy Bonanza

Fancy Nancy: Candy Bonanza (Fancy Nancy)
by Jane O'Connor
illustrated by Carolyn Bracken
Date: 2015
Publisher: HarperFestival
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 24
Format: e-book
Source: library

Today is Halloween and Nancy can't wait to collect candy from each house she visits. But it's hard to leave all those delectable treats in her pumpkin pail. Is there such a thing as too much candy?

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a fairly weak addition to the Fancy Nancy series. I guess every picture book series needs to have a book for each of the major holidays, but this one just feels like the author and illustrator phoned it in.

Nancy goes trick-or-treating with her dad, little sister, and best friend. As she collects candy, more goes into her mouth than into her pail. Soon, she's got a terrible stomachache, and has to be taken home... so she misses the last bit of trick-or-treating.

Dad really dropped the ball here. Who lets a six-year-old stuff her face with candy handed out by strangers? (I don't know if things have changed, but we weren't even allowed to touch our loot until it had been given a once-over by our parents to check for things like tampering.) I guess maybe, in Nancy's neighbourhood, everybody knows everybody. But that's not really expressed (Nancy doesn't even seem to know most of the neighbours' names).

I'm also not a fan of the way one of the "fancy" words is used here. "Exaggerating" isn't quite "a little like fibbing, only fancier". If we're trying to teach new words with these books, the definitions need to be more precise.

The illustrations don't really impress me, either. With these books, I much prefer Robin Preiss Glasser's original illustrations, or even Ted Enik's lovely approximations of the style. Bracken gets close... but some of the magic is missing.

This is probably fine for fans of Fancy Nancy, but as a Halloween picture book, it falls a little short. I'd probably only recommend it if you're itching to read all the books in the series.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3 out of 5

Review - A Teeny Tiny Halloween

A Teeny Tiny Halloween
by Lauren L. Wohl
illustrated by Henry Cole
Date: 2016
Publisher: Persnickety Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

It happens every fall. The leaves from the tall trees that surround her house drift down until the teeny tiny woman’s teeny tiny house is buried completely. Inside it’s dark and a teeny tiny bit scary, but the resourceful woman has a plan and a few surprises up her teeny tiny sleeve.

Written to be shared through read-aloud or story-telling, the type face indicates where the teller should be whispering and when suddenly s/he should shout – surprising the listeners, even causing them to jump, which puts this book in the realm of jump-tales, so popular at spooky-story times like Halloween and around the campfire on summer evenings. Short enough for even young children to remember after reading or hearing the story a few times, the book encourages children themselves to tell the tale themselves, making a family tradition.

Former Disney Publishing executive, Lauren L. Wohl, tells an all-new story starring a favorite character from folklore with an autumnal chill and a special treat that brings the book to a perfect-for-Halloween ending. Children will want to return to the teeny tiny house again and again to enjoy Henry Cole’s illustrations that capture the mood and the humor of the tale.

Sure to be a perennial holiday favorite, like The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything, a book that makes the bestseller list every single Halloween!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I was curious to see where this was going to go with the teeny tiny woman and everything else about her life that's teeny tiny. Unfortunately, there's not much else to it. The gimmick seems to be the repetition of the words "teeny tiny" in very small text. The rest of the story doesn't have much going for it.

Every year, the leaves fall and bury the teeny tiny woman's house. She tries to make noise to get some help, but nobody hears her. So she decides to bake cookies. These attract a trio of trick-or-treaters, who unearth the house and then get rewarded.

I don't know... This almost has "Hansel and Gretel" vibes to me. The teeny tiny woman isn't malicious, but still... I'm not a fan of kids accepting food from strangers (especially handmade food). The fact that it's Halloween is probably supposed to help; after all, if these kids had just found some random woman's house in the forest on any other day of the year, it would've set off big red flags if she'd invited them in for cookies.

Child luring? I don't know. It's just a little too creepy for me. The illustrations are cute, though.

Premise: 2/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3 out of 5

Review - Boo!

Boo!
by Leslie Patricelli
Date: 2015
Publisher: Candlewick
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 26
Format: e-book
Source: library

The inimitable Baby brings a humorous spin to the holidays in a cheerful e-book perfect for Halloween.

It’s almost Halloween! How should Daddy carve the pumpkin? So many expressions to choose from! What should Baby be—a princess or pirate, ballerina or clown? When the jack-o’-lantern’s ready (looking suspiciously like Baby), it’s time for a little ghost to head out in the slightly scary night. But fear turns to excitement as the pumpkin fills up with treats. WOW!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

After reading Fa La La last year and not being particularly impressed, I figured I was done with these books about the precocious, half-naked baby. But the library had this one, so I thought I'd give it a try. It's actually not too bad. It basically explains the concept of Halloween to very young children, showing them that there's really nothing to be afraid of. Concepts like trick-or-treating, costumes, and pumpkin carving are all covered to varying degrees. (I especially liked the bit about the pumpkins, as it could also be used to teach facial expression recognition.)

So... maybe I was a bit hasty in writing off this series. I still don't understand why this poor baby has no clothes on. Maybe readers just need to go with it...

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 2/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 2.83 out of 5

Review - Druscilla's Halloween

Druscilla's Halloween
by Sally M. Walker
illustrated by Lee White
Date: 2009
Publisher: Carolrhoda Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Did witches always ride brooms? No! In fact, long, long ago, witches crept about on tiptoe. On Halloween, they would scare children and cast spells... but always from the ground. No witch ever thought of flying--no witch until Druscilla. Druscilla was an old witch with the loudest, creakiest knees anyone had ever heard. But she was determined not to let anything spoil her element of surprise. One Halloween, after many failed attempts at sneaking up on unsuspecting villagers, Druscilla made a discovery that changed the course of witch history.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is sort of an origin story regarding why witches fly on broomsticks. It's not historically accurate, but it is rather fun.

Long ago, witches didn't fly on broomsticks. They tiptoed and snuck up on people to scare them. But Druscilla was old, and her knees creaked. A lot. Their audible pops and snaps meant that she couldn't sneak up on anybody. But Halloween was coming, and she was a witch, so she had to figure out a way to join in the hijinks. Various methods failed her... and then she stumbled across a solution where she was least expecting it.

It's a fun little story with cute illustrations that are fun to look at. I liked seeing how the witches prepared for Halloween (it involves styling products and cats), and it was amusing to see how Druscilla's knees acted as a warning to everyone about her approach. (I don't really agree with some other reviewers that this book makes fun of the disabled. Noisy knees on their own aren't exactly a disability; they're just a nuisance. Druscilla says it herself when she talks to them: "Hush, you treacherous old knees. You're robbing me of the element of surprise." She gets around just fine. She's just... loud.)

This is a fun Halloween book that offers a different spin on why witches fly on broomsticks. It's cute and clever, and kids will probably enjoy it. (It's also nice to see a Halloween story that isn't focused on candy.)

Quotable moment:

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.5 out of 5

Review - Five Little Pumpkins

Five Little Pumpkins
by Anonymous
illustrated by Dan Yaccarino
Date: 1998
Publisher: HarperFestival
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 14
Format: e-book
Source: library

Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate.
The first one said, "Oh my, it's getting late."

Get ready for some wicked fun as these five pumpkins run and roll! Toddlers will want to chant along with this popular rhyme again and again. Dan Yaccarino's vibrant and bold illustrations bring these pumpkins to life with personality and style. Toddlers are sure to laugh out loud as these pumpkins roll out of sight!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is completely underwhelming. Taking the classic children's song and putting it with pictures should've worked. But the illustrations here are nothing special--they're basic and uninteresting--and the book itself is really short.

I doubt I'd recommend this one. I certainly wouldn't advocate spending money on it. Get it from the library if you really want to have a look.

Premise: 2/5
Meter: 3/5
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 2/5
Originality: 2/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.14 out of 5

Review - Zen Ghosts

Zen Ghosts
by Jon J. Muth
Date: 2010
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

It's Halloween.

The trees are ablaze in fiery reds. Excited children don colorful costumes. And there's mystery and fun around every corner! When Addy, Michael, and Karl finish trick-or-treating, their bags are brimming with treats. But the fun isn't over yet. Their good friend Stillwater the panda has one more special surprise in store for them. A mysterious visitor is about to tell them a spine-tingling story -- one that will fill each and every reader with wonder.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

It's October, so I thought I should probably read at least one Halloween story. I happened to see this e-book in the library system, so I thought I'd give it a try.

This is the second picture book I've read that tries to teach elements of Zen to young children (the first one being Sanjay Nambiar's Maybe: A Little Zen for Little Ones, which I thought was pretty awful). I'm not sure it's something that the age group is really ready for. I understand why the author thinks the topic is appropriate for children, and I agree to a certain extent. But many children today are very literal thinkers, and puzzling over a koan probably isn't going to be a very useful experience.

The pictures are lovely, and I wouldn't mind checking out more books illustrated by this author/artist. However, I did find some of the plot points a bit unnerving. Three little kids go trick-or-treating alone, and then they're told by a giant talking panda to meet him somewhere so he can take them off to his house to tell them a ghost story. Does that not sound like child luring to you? The added element of candy just makes it all the more uncomfortable. (I realize these kids have some sort of past with Stillwater the panda, but I still didn't like the way they just went off with him without parental consent. Adult family friends can and do take advantage of children, and I don't know if this message of explicit trust is the best one to be sending.)

So... "yes" to the pictures, "maybe" to the koan, "no" to the rest of the story. I hoped to like this one more than I did, but I just can't get past the slightly creepy panda taking three unsupervised children to his house. Maybe I'm just too paranoid/cynical for books like this.

Premise: 2/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.67 out of 5