HALLOWILLOWEEN

A modern master of nonsense verse reaches new heights of giddiness with this Halloween-themed collection. Choosing loopy scenarios and properly allowing the sounds he plays with to take his poems where they need to go, Brown presents readers with “The Oompachupa Loompacabra,” “The Vumpire” and “Duncan,” the shrunken head who “has, of course, / no limbs or torso. / He doesn’t walk / or ride a horse, so, / a friendly grackle / flies him around.” Opting for humor rather than chills, the poet imagines an army of ants getting ready for “Hallowilloween” and a Grim Reaper who dominates a dinner party by telling “so-called / drop-dead funny epitaphs.” His flat acrylics, done in his customary surreal style, suit his subject perfectly—it’s impossible not to chuckle at the Witches of Texas, who “are practicing hexes / in comical conical ten-gallon hats.” Nefariously silly indeed. (Picture book/poetry. 5-10)