THE WEREWOLF FAMILY

Normally the Werewolf family—Mr., Mrs., and young Harry and Mary—look properly Edwardian. But there's a full moon on the night of their family reunion, and we see the prim, stiff family growing fangs, claws, and paw hair before our eyes. "Whose side of the family are they on?" "Not mine," remark the other relatives as the Werewolfs arrive at the party, dispense snakes and spiders to the babies, select Aunt Charlotte's and Uncle Igo's pets for their dinner, and finally, in the basement rec room ("It's been in the family for centuries"), secure all their kin in racks, chains, and hanging manacles before taking off for home. The next day, posed with tea, books, hoop, and flowers in their garden, the Werewolf family is again the picture of decorum. If you can accept a sort of Rocky Horror Show equivalent for the picture-book set, Gantos and Rubel are the pair to give it punch. They've got more of their hearts in this one than in some of their previous, sweeter items. And kids in the Halloween mood will pounce on this where paler spooks will leave them cold.