Library Notes
October 15, 2010
Dara L. Cain

Spook-tacular Halloween Books for Children

October 31st is just around the corner! Here are some entertaining Halloween books that are certain to get your children eager for a fun day of jack-o-lanterns, trick-or-treating, and handfuls of holiday candy.
Pumpkin Eye by Denise Fleming: The simple rhyming text accompanied by eye-catching illustrations makes this a fun read a loud story time book for preschoolers. The simple couplets of "Trick or treat, pounding feet, jack-o'-lanterns line the street" set the mood while bright orange pumpkins, trick-or-treaters, tattered witches, and a full harvest moon sets the eerie atmosphere. The effective use of descriptive sound words will get your children excited for Halloween from the “hissing cats/swooping bats” to “clacking bones/muffled moans” without being too scary.

It’s Pumpkin Time! by author Zoe Hall: A brother and sister eagerly get ready for Halloween by planting their very own pumpkin patch. Watch as they plant the seeds, water, weed, and observe as the flowers bloom into bright orange pumpkins. This book gives not only a basic gardening lesson but provides Halloween entertainment as the children are finally able to carve their pumpkins and get ready for some nighttime trick-or-treating.

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams: During a walk through the woods to collect herbs, spices, nuts, and seeds, a little old lady encounters spooky objects that begin to follow her. When she makes it back safely into her home she hears a KNOCK KNOCK at the door and the shoes, pants, gloves, hat, and pumpkin head try to scare her one last time. The little old lady is determined not to be afraid and comes up with a clever solution that is sure to have young readers laughing. This story is perfect to read for Halloween or during any other time of the year.

Froggy’s Halloween by Jonathan London: Froggy is so thrilled that Halloween is almost here but he is having a difficult time selecting a costume. First he imagines himself as Super Frog flying high, then Ghost Frog scaring everyone, and finally the very frightful Vampire Frog. After much thought Froggy finally decides to dress up as Frog Prince for an action packed night of trick-or-treating. Froggy is in for a Halloween surprise when Frogilina finds him irresistible in his dashing costume and tries giving him the biggest scare of the night.

Mercy Watson Princess in Disguise by Kate DiCamillo: Mrs. Watson wants to dress up her adorable pig Mercy for Halloween but what pig wants to wear a costume. Mr. and Mrs. Watson bribe Mercy into wearing a tiara and princess dress by informing her that the neighbors will give her treats. In this hilarious Halloween escapade Mercy’s search for her favorite treat, hot buttered toast lead her and the neighbors on a Halloween “parade” and a rescue mission to save General Washington, the neighbor’s cat.

Scared Silly (Bunnicula and Friends Series) by James Howe: Four friends, Harold the dog, Chester the cat, Howie the dachshund puppy and Bunnicular the vampire rabbit are left alone in the house on Halloween night. The animals experience the unexpected, beginning with a storm brewing outside and goblins wandering the street, to a witch boiling up a pot of trouble in their kitchen. Who is this unexpected visitor and why does she take Bunnicula? The animals are determined to rescue Bunnicular for fear he may be a main ingredient and try making an escape until they come face-to-face with aliens. Can the night get any stranger?