A tuneful and deliciously scary escapade, perfect for Halloween.
Kids defy danger in this tale inspired by the folk song “She’ll Be Comin’ ’Round the Mountain When She Comes.”
Under a dim crescent moon, two youngsters—one brown-skinned with long dark hair, the other pale-skinned with short red hair—climb an ominous mountain by a switchback trail, accompanied by a dog who collects a mouthful of bones along the way. An unseen narrator urgently advises them to stop (“There’s a ghost town in the mountains, turn back now!” “There’s a cabin off the main street, don’t go in!”). The dark-haired child ignores the cautions and gleefully drags the frightened-looking redhead along as they hurry into the cabin, then up a rotting staircase to the “spiderweb-y” attic. Naturally, they open the cupboard and then the tiny casket inside. The “magic jawbone” within begins clacking. A skeleton assembles and them sashays to the rattling music of this “ancient mandible,” alarming even the bolder child—and precipitating the adventurers’ headlong reverse flight. Garrigue’s cartoonish illustrations and luridly lovely lilac color scheme, along with Becker’s jaunty verse, make for an exploit that’s creepy but never overwhelmingly so. The varied, echoing refrain—“Scrim-scram! Step-stomp! Click-clack! Bump-thump!”—should guarantee enthusiastic audience participation. The book concludes with information on ghost towns and the origins of “She’ll Be Comin’ ’Round the Mountain When She Comes,” along with music and lyrics to “Ghost Town in the Mountains.”
A tuneful and deliciously scary escapade, perfect for Halloween. (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: June 15, 2026
ISBN: 9781534113428
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Review Posted Online: April 6, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2026
BOOK REVIEW
Frightful and delightful: a comforting (to some, anyway) reminder that no one sleeps alone.
In a tardy prequel to I Need My Monster (2009), candidates for that coveted spot under the bed audition.
As the distressingly unflappable young narrator looks on, one monster after another gives it a go—but even with three mouths, the best roar Genghis can manage is a puny “blurp!”, silly shadow puppets by shaggy Morgan elicit only a sneeze, and red Abigail’s attempt to startle by hiding in the fridge merely leaves her shivering and pathetic. Fortunately, there’s Gabe, who knows just how to turn big and hairy while lurking outside the bathroom and whose red-eyed stare and gross drooling sends the lad scrambling into bed to save his toes. “Kid, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship,” the toothy terror growls. Right he is, the lad concludes, snuggling down beneath the covers: “His snorts and ooze were perfect.” As usual, the white-presenting child’s big, bright, smiling face and the assortment of bumbling monsters rendered in oversaturated hues keep any actual scariness at tentacle’s length. Moreover, Monster, Inc. fans will delight in McWilliam’s painstaking details of fang, claw, hair, and scales.
Frightful and delightful: a comforting (to some, anyway) reminder that no one sleeps alone. (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: Nov. 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-947277-09-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Flashlight Press
Review Posted Online: June 22, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2019
A warmly reassuring tale for those who prefer their scares on the lighter side.
Bash is back for another session of Scare School.
This second series installment sees the young ghost tasked with completing a group project that requires him to learn about a terrifying place in or around the school. Bash is assigned to work with Wes, a shy but gentle and artistic werewolf, and Vicky and Vlad, two prickly vampires. The group decides to research the spooky forest. Bash is nervous about exploring the forest; plus, he must contend with teammates who don’t pull their own weight (Vicky and Vlad goof off in the gym while Bash and Wes wait for them in the library). But Bash eventually finds a way to confront his fears as he and the others complete their project. Despite the premise, this tale’s more sweet than spooky. Endearing Bash frets about new experiences but proves eager to jump in. He has a delightful, supportive friend in his roommate, Itsy the spider; her tiny knitted socks are an especially charming detail. The characters’ realization that fear can sometimes hold us back will resonate with readers. The plot moves at a steady clip, while stick figure illustrations and comic panels break up the text, giving the tale an appealing, Wimpy Kid–esque vibe.
A warmly reassuring tale for those who prefer their scares on the lighter side. (Fiction. 6-8)Pub Date: Nov. 5, 2024
ISBN: 9781665922128
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Aladdin
Review Posted Online: Oct. 12, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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