Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




2011 Halloween Picture-Book Roundup


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Cover art for HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2011
by Liesbet Slegers, illustrated by Liesbet Slegers

"Pass on this slim offering, which adds little to the crowded field of preschool Halloween fare. (Picture book. 3-5)"
This Dutch import, although well intentioned, fails to translate into a winning holiday book for preschoolers. Read full book review >
Cover art for HOW TO DRAW A HAPPY WITCH AND 99 THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 6, 2011
by Joy Sikorski, illustrated by Joy Sikorski, by Nick Sunday, illustrated by Nick Sunday

"Those looking for helpful drawing lessons will be better served by instructional volumes from Ed Emberley or Ralph Masiello. (Informational picture book. 5-8) "
This book tries to be so many things, but they add up to very little. Read full book review >
Cover art for TWELVE HAUNTED ROOMS OF HALLOWEEN
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 6, 2011
illustrated by Macky Pamintuan

"This peek-and-find story is sure to please. (Picture book. 3-6)"
Should readers tag along with an amiable bear into a haunted house? Absolutely! Read full book review >
Cover art for MOUSE AND MOLE, A PERFECT HALLOWEEN
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 5, 2011
by Wong Herbert Yee, illustrated by Wong Herbert Yee

"Superb! (Early reader. 5-8)"
Mouse and Mole prepare for Halloween in the sixth book of Yee's popular series. Read full book review >
Cover art for WHAT AM I?  HALLOWEEN
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2011
by Anne Margaret Lewis, illustrated by Tom Mills

"A solid introduction for toddlers. (Picture book. 2-4)"
When looking for a simple yet entertaining introduction to Halloween for the very youngest readers, search no further. Read full book review >
Cover art for HAUNTED HOUSE, HAUNTED MOUSE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2011
by Judy Cox, illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler

"Consider this a Halloween treat for children ready for longer, more visually complex picture-book fare. (Picture book. 4-7)"
Those charmed by Mouse's previous adventures in One is a Feast for Mouse: A Thanksgiving Tale (2009) and Cinco de Mouse-O! (2010) should prepare for gasps and giggles as he struggles through a series of (somewhat) unfortunate events. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE HOUSE THAT WITCHY BUILT
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2011

"Use to get the (Halloween) party started. (Picture book. 3-6)"
Can a picture book inspired by "The House that Jack Built" do anything new? Storyteller de las Casas gives it her all in converting one of her favorite stories to the printed page. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE PICKY LITTLE WITCH
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2011
by Elizabeth Brokamp, illustrated by Marsha Riti

"Offer this up to the most discriminating eaters or readers; most likely they will dig right in. (soup recipe) (Picture book. 4-7)"
Most picky eaters would happily choose spinach or broccoli or even Brussels sprouts over the scary stew Mama Witch cooks up for Halloween. Read full book review >
Cover art for ZOMBIE IN LOVE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 23, 2011
by Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by Scott Campbell

"Probably best suited for sharing with primary graders, who will squirm between fits of laughter. (Picture book. 6-8)"
Zombies are all the rage with teens, and stories of lovelorn adolescent lads trying to find the perfect girl in time for the big dance abound. This quest for companionship, however, is aimed at a decidedly younger crowd. Read full book review >
Cover art for NIGHT OF THE PUMPKINHEADS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 18, 2011
by Michael J. Rosen, illustrated by Hugh McMahon

"A solid addition to the Halloween shelf, especially for those who have graduated from safer, sweeter stories. (Picture book. 5-8)"
Rosen's latest serves primarily as a vehicle for expert pumpkin-artist McMahon's amazing carvings. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE HAUNTED HAMBURGER
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 18, 2011
by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Paul Meisel

"Share with the most sleep-resistant and squirmy kids for a surefire read-aloud romp. (Picture book. 6-8)"
Father Ghost tackles a nightly challenge for many parents--getting their kids to go to sleep. Read full book review >
Cover art for GIBBUS MOONY WANTS TO BITE YOU!
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 9, 2011
by Leslie Muir, illustrated by Jen Corace

"Get ready for many year-round requests for this "fangtastic" title. (Picture book. 4-7)"
Incorrigible young vampire Gibbus Mooney cannot wait to try out his new grown-up fangs. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE I'M NOT SCARED BOOK
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 3, 2011
by Todd Parr, illustrated by Todd Parr

"Whether this is just a platitude or words of wisdom is up to readers to decide. (Picture book. 3-6)"
The latest from Parr, executed in his characteristic style that sets extremely bright colors off with a heavy black line, addresses common childhood fears. Read full book review >
Cover art for TEN LITTLE BEASTIES
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 2, 2011

"Perhaps the audio addition will add some much-needed magic to this dizzying outing, but as a stand-alone book, this offers little appeal. (Picture book. 2-5)"
The Emberleys' romp joins the heavily populated field of titles loosely based on common childhood rhymes. Read full book review >
Cover art for PUMPKIN CAT
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 1, 2011
by Anne Mortimer, illustrated by Anne Mortimer

"Sweet but bland, this title could still find an audience in autumn. (Early reader. 3-5)"
Cat wonders how pumpkins grow, and Mouse is happy to show him, in this seasonal offering for beginning readers. Read full book review >
Cover art for LITTLE GOBLINS TEN
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 1, 2011
by Pamela Jane, illustrated by Jane Manning

"Truly satisfying. (Picture book. 3-6)"
Numerous titles interpreting "Over in the Meadow" have been published, but trust the team of Jane and Manning to conjure up an impressive new vision in time for Halloween. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE 13 NIGHTS OF HALLOWEEN
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 1, 2011
by Guy Vasilovich, illustrated by Guy Vasilovich

"More shivery than stunning; for slightly older readers. (Picture book. 5-8)"
"The 12 Days of Christmas" inspires a creepy countdown to Halloween night. Read full book review >
Cover art for FRANGOLINE AND THE MIDNIGHT DREAM
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 1, 2011
by Clemency Pearce, illustrated by Rebecca Elliott

"Still, despite imperfections, young readers will likely embrace the quirky, oddly endearing Frangoline. (Picture book. 3-6)"
Debut author Pearce introduces redhead Frangoline, who is "Pure as milk and good as gold" by day but turns into an impish minx at night. Read full book review >
Cover art for NEVER KICK A GHOST AND OTHER SILLY CHILLERS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 1, 2011
by Judy Sierra, illustrated by Pascale Constantin

"Pass. (Early reader. 4-8)"
Sierra adapts a few spooky tales for the early-reader set with lackluster results. Read full book review >
Cover art for HALLOWEEN HOWLERS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 1, 2011
by Michael Teitelbaum, illustrated by Jannie Ho

"Have this at the ready for a quick dose of gentle Halloween humor. (Early reader. 5-8)"
"Knock, knock! / Who's there? / Ghouls! / Ghouls who? / Ghouls and boys both love Halloween!" And many kids love knock-knock jokes and cannot get enough of them. Read full book review >