A not-so-spooky book.
A collection of eerie folktales from different countries and cultures.
From very familiar fairy tales such as “Hansel and Gretel” to lesser-known stories, this anthology shares 50 spooky stories from around the world. Arranged into 11 categories based on location or geographical feature—“Into the Woods,” “Down by the Water,” “Strangers at the Door,” and more—the collection’s offerings include a wide variety of countries and cultures as well as a few Indigenous peoples. Creepy characters include Baba Yaga from Russia, an alluring forest spirit of Brazil, an ogre in Tibet, and a talking skull of West Africa. While the stories all have spooky elements, such as ghosts, witches, and demons, the vast majority are relatively tame, and a few are even humorous. There are very few truly scary stories. McAllister has pulled tales mainly from old public-domain sources (listed in an appendix) and compressed them. Due to the retelling, some of the stories have lost their ethnic and cultural distinctiveness. The gouache, folk-art–style illustrations feature bold, vibrant colors, bringing the stories to life. Although stunning, in keeping with the tone of the stories, the illustrations aren’t very frightening. All in all, this is an adequate attempt to deliver a variety of diverse tales, but it reads Eurocentric in style. If readers are looking for something authentic and spine-tingling, they should pass on this anthology.
A not-so-spooky book. (Folktales. 6-9)Pub Date: Sept. 3, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-7112-4148-0
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Review Posted Online: June 15, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Hooray, hooray for this par-tay.
Five more stories featuring buddy pair Fox and Rabbit.
Following the formula of its predecessors, this third installment of the Fox & Rabbit series focuses on Sparrow’s “super-trooper special” birthday. A slightly unrelated opening story introduces a variety of animal characters as Fox—proudly adopting the moniker “Fix-it Fox”—goes around trying to solve everyone’s “enormous problems.” In the next story, Fox and Rabbit scheme to make the “biggest, roundest, yummiest pizza in the world.” They pilfer ingredients from Sparrow’s garden (a nod to the first book) and ask Mouse for mozzarella. Subsequent stories—each contained in a chapter—involve a pizza-cooking dragon, the “really awesome” party, and a birthday wish that finally comes true. Dudás’ full-color cartoon illustrations complement Ferry’s chipper tone and punny dialogue for an upbeat woodland romp. Even the turtle, who always comically arrives at the end of the chapter and misses most of the action, gets to enjoy the party. Another standout scene, in which Fox assumes Dragon doesn’t speak their language and speaks “Dragonian” unprompted, gently addresses microaggressions. Though all dialogue is clearly linked to each speaker, some scenes with lots of back and forth within a single panel gear this to comics readers with a bit of experience. Still, the eight-panel–per-page max and short chapters keep the text accessible and pace quick.
Hooray, hooray for this par-tay. (Graphic early reader. 6-9)Pub Date: April 20, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-4197-5183-7
Page Count: 96
Publisher: Amulet/Abrams
Review Posted Online: Feb. 11, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2021
While this is not an essential purchase, most little pumpkins will love being told, “Baby, I'm batty for you!” (Board book....
Young children won't understand the metaphors but will appreciate the sentiment made clear by the repeated, Halloween-themed declarations of love in Wan's latest board book.
Each of the seven spreads presents an endearment illustrated by an object drawn with heavy outlines and just enough detail to invoke its essential characteristics. Lest it become too maudlin, between the “sugary, sweet candy corn” and a “purr-fect, cuddly kitty” is a “wild, messy monster.” Wan manages to make each drawing expressive and distinctive while relying on just a few shapes—crescents or circles for eyes, dots or ovals accenting cheeks. Although each spread stands alone, there are quiet connections. For example, the orange of the pumpkin is repeated in the candy corn, and the purple that adorns kitty's hat and bow becomes the prominent color on the next spread, setting off the friendly white ghost nicely. The same purple is used for the spider's body on the next to last spread. Subtle, shadowed backgrounds repeat the patterns found elsewhere in the book. For example, the background of the page with the kitty includes pumpkins, hearts, and hats and bows like the ones kitty is wearing.
While this is not an essential purchase, most little pumpkins will love being told, “Baby, I'm batty for you!” (Board book. 6 mos.-3)Pub Date: June 28, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-545-88092-3
Page Count: 14
Publisher: Cartwheel/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 13, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2016
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