OTTER LOVES HALLOWEEN!

Halloween is coming, and Otter is taking the holiday quite seriously, picking out the best pumpkin, choosing an appropriately scary costume, and thoroughly decorating the house—but when trick-or-treaters come, she is in for an unexpected surprise.

Fans of Otter’s previous titles will certainly celebrate her autumn return (Otter in Space, 2015, etc.). Just like any young tyke who is excited about Halloween, Otter marks the date on the calendar, enlists her (stuffed animal) friends to help her prepare, and often takes things a bit far due to her abundant enthusiasm. In one humorous series of vignettes, she decorates everything she can reach with cobwebs, including Otter Keeper’s leg, and dumps a whole container of glitter on her magical broomstick. Even when things don’t turn out the way she would like, her innovative resolve inspires, as when Giraffe wants to dress up like a fairy. “He wasn’t really taking Halloween seriously. Everyone knows fairies aren’t scary. So I added some teeth.” After practicing at being scary with Pig, Otter and her cuddly buddies, Giraffe and Teddy, seem ready—until the doorbell rings. The costumed kids at the door prove a bit too scary for dear Otter. But wise (adult human) Otter Keeper chats with her and Pig, and they come up with a crafty solution. Garton pairs his charming story with funny details in the bright digital illustrations that only make a great book even better.

This one’s a real treat.