cover image
LATEST ISSUE OF
Kirkus Reviews
Check out our interview with Rick Yancey, author of the wildly entertaining YA thriller The 5th Wave.
Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS



Picture Books for Halloween

Cover art for ON A WINDY NIGHT
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2010
ON A WINDY NIGHT
by Nancy Raines Day, illustrated by George Bates
"There is a disconnect, though, between text and illustration; the former suggests real menace, which the latter does not completely dispel, making for an uneven ending. (Picture book. 3-6)"
On his way home from trick-or-treating, a little boy finds himself "On [a] winding road, on this windy night, / Clouds hide the moon— / and / in / creeps / fright." Read full book review >
Cover art for QUACKENSTEIN HATCHES A FAMILY
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2010
QUACKENSTEIN HATCHES A FAMILY
by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, illustrated by Brian T. Jones
"The surprise twist at the end happily resolves Quack's fatherless state. (Picture book. 5-8)"
"In the darkest corner of the zoo / There stood a gloomy shack. / A nearby scrawl / Read: ‘KEEP OUT ALL!! / JUST LEAVE ME BE! Signed QUACK.' " The misanthropic duck is crabby because he alone has no family, so when he sees a clutch of "ORPHANED EGGS: HOMES NEEDED," he decides to adopt. Read full book review >
Cover art for HALLOWILLOWEEN
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2010
Kirkus Star HALLOWILLOWEEN: NEFARIOUS SILLINESS FROM CALEF BROWN
by Calef Brown, illustrated by Calef Brown
"Nefariously silly indeed. (Picture book/poetry. 5-10)"
A modern master of nonsense verse reaches new heights of giddiness with this Halloween-themed collection. Read full book review >
Cover art for MOSTLY MONSTERLY
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 31, 2010
MOSTLY MONSTERLY
by Tammi Sauer, illustrated by Scott Magoon
"Magoon's monster-hued cartoons pay a little homage to Sendak but also revel in such details as prep-school uniforms and a Monster Moves Class with yoga mats and monster-themed hydration bottles—and Bernadette's a fanged, horned charmer. (Picture book. 5-8)"
"On the outside Bernadette was mostly monsterly. / She lurched. / She growled. / She caused mayhem of all kinds." Read full book review >
Cover art for BOO!
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 10, 2010
BOO!
by Joe Fenton, illustrated by Joe Fenton
"Unfortunately, however well-suited to very young audiences this might seem, several spreads in which the young ghost appears multiple times combined with the lack of distinctiveness among the other characters will confuse toddlers. (Picture book. 3-5)"
A little ghost, desperate to be scary, tries on disguise after disguise in vain before landing on the perfect costume. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE HALLOWEEN KID
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 10, 2010
THE HALLOWEEN KID
by Rhode Montijo, illustrated by Rhode Montijo
"Yee-haw"—er, "Yee-HA-lloween!" (Picture book. 5-8)"
When pumpkin-suckin' vampires and other Halloween hoodlums threaten holiday fun, the Halloween Kid, who "loved him some Halloween," keeps the peace. Read full book review >