PUMPKIN AND BEETLE

Two cool cats try to stop an out-of-control vine from consuming their town.

Pumpkin and Beetle, a fun-loving duo of vampire felines, uncover a treasure chest in the Hallowville graveyard. It contains a handful of red seeds and a note: “Grow at your own risk.” The pointy-toothed pair think little of it and plant the seeds immediately, nourishing them with plant food made from “spookified bones.” When the plant sprouts, it just keeps growing, and soon a sprawling, ravenous vine covers the school playground, takes over Mrs. Owl’s ghoulberries, and traps the cats’ canine pal Woofles inside a giant flower! Pumpkin and Beetle must figure out how to save their friend and untangle their town from the major mess they made. A couple of cranky witches assist the overwhelmed cats, helping them cook up a yucky vine-dispelling spell with “eyes of a newt,” “one teaspoon of frog mucus,” and “a splash of tomato juice.” The purple and orange surroundings of Hallowville, a town filled with monsters, critters, and talkative bugs, are just Halloween-y enough for emerging readers seeking a lightly eerie adventure. As in their first outing, Pumpkin and Beetle again make brave strides as they face a big challenge and take responsibility, while Ho’s friendly illustrations find ample opportunities for humor tangled up among the vines. A brief guide to growing plants follows the fun tale.

A silly, sweet story about meeting obstacles with aplomb.