CAN'T SCARE ME!

Eugenia knows that her papa, Mr. Hayman, tells fine stories about African tribes and outlaws, but his ghost stories are so extraordinary that Mr. Munroe, who loves listening, can't make himself walk home alone after hearing one. Night after night, Mr. Munroe needs an escort, until Mr. Hayman decides to reassure his friend once and for all and cure him of his will-o'-the-wisp fears. Thus is relayed the story of Old Nicholas, who cannot be deterred from his mission to the preacher despite the best efforts of demons. After that tale, Mr. Munroe screws up his courage for the walk home, but is just as happy to see Eugenia on the trail with him. Not all readers will buy the religious angle (ghosts can't scare those who are good), but Milich achieves the right mix of spookiness and caring, friendship and challenge. Geter's paintings are not to be missed: swarming overlays of color, expressive as de Kooning, as eerie as Sleepy Hollow. (Picture book. 5-8)