Halloween Books

I ordered this book in hopes it would be a Halloween book with Martha talking. However, the only thing Martha says is "Grrr." It's a cute story but I, along with my 4 year old son, was disappointed that Martha did not speak.

I ORDERED SEVERAL COPIES TO GIVE TO MY GRANDKIDS AT HALLOWEEN TIME. IT IS A VERY CUTE STORY AND FUN TO READ OUT LOUD.

Very fun read for kids old enough to sit and enjoy about a 10 minute read. The story is excellent, and not scary at all so it stays fun. Lots of dynamics, trying doing a kind act leads to an encounter with with a witch's market, the book is worth it just to see what's on the shelves. The suspense of waiting to see how long the dog will behave with all the cats around, and lastly the clean get-a-way...lots of opportunity to interact with your "readees" while you page through the book. I found the kids loved to look for new things in the book all by themselves.

This is a great book, great story with great pictures. My daughter who is 2.5 years old loves it very much. The names for the produce and candy in the witches supermarket are great and very creative. Highly reccomended.

A trick-or-treating little girl with her dog (who's dressed up like a cat) picks up a coupon that an old lady drops and follows her to return it. Quite unsuspectingly they end up in an exclusive supermarket for witches and cats! The drawings in this book are a stitch and are so filled with funny details that I had a lot of fun pouring over each page. When the girl & her dog as cat are discovered, chaos insues. The madcap adventure is a nice Halloween treat to slip into your little goblin's bag of goodies.

Reviewed by India Furney (age 12) for Reader Views (12/07)

When William Durant was a young man he did something he has regretted ever since.

A few days before Halloween, he rented a camp on Indian Point near Raquette Lake. The local townspeople told him to stay away from the graveyard or else the spirits would get angry and he'd have to face the consequences. He doesn't believe them and decides to take a stroll through the graveyard to prove that ghosts don't exist. What happens next will surprise you; perhaps ghosts really do exist.

I liked "Adirondack Nightmare," but feel I'm a little too old for it. It wasn't scary enough for me. I think it would appeal to ages 7 to 9, or kids who don't like books too scary. I thought the recipes inside were cool and want to try them.

My name is Chuck Bombard. I was born and brought up in Plattsburgh. I lived on "Fox Hill" (Johnson Ave.) and went to Our Lady of Victory High School (class of 1962). I am currently in Tampa, FL. A friend of mine recently returned from a vacation in the Adirondacks and brought me back an autographed copy of "Adirondack Nightmare." As I scanned through the book, my friend watched as my eyes lit up when I saw that the author was from Plattsburgh and on one of the pages was a picture of a michigan hot dog! I told him that the picture of the michigan brought back so many wonderful memories for me. I was in the Army for 29 years and would always return to Plattsburgh to visit family whenever we could. One of our first stops whenever we were back in town was Clare and Carl's michigan red hot stand. My mouth waters just thinking about it. My wife has a great michigan recipe, but we're going to try yours. Thanks for bringing back some memories of great times. Chuck Bombard (I have given the author permission to use this endorsement in any way she sees fit.)

Halloween Trick or Treat
By PETE KLEIN
In time for Halloween is a new book by Rebecca Leonard, titled: Adirondack Nightmare.
The short, fun read-aloud, takes place in Raquette Lake and tells the story of a young boy from Montreal who is foolish enough to break some taboos concerning the local graveyard while visiting the area for a few days.
The story begins with the protagonist saying, "My name is William Durant and it is October 31st, Halloween. As I stare out my dark window, seeing fewer costume children and hearing less laughter than usual on Halloween, I am overcome with remorse."
The young man is remembering and his remorse is based upon the warnings from the locals he did not follow when he was a few years younger than he now is.
The story goes on to tell of the mistakes he made and how those mistakes aggravated the local ghosts enough to raise them from their rest and frighten children to stay home on Halloween.
Included in the book and made part of the story is a sauce recipe for "michigan hot dogs," a recipe for caramel and chocolate covered candied apples and another recipe for maple syrup cookies. This could make for some fun in the kitchen as well as in the reading - as long as you don't stain the book with what you've been eating!
The author says this book is aimed at young readers, grades 2-5, and those young readers will certainly enjoy the helpful illustrations drawn by the author's 15-year old son, Nick.
Leonard and her family live in Plattsburgh where she is the owner of the "Under One Roof Video" store.
The book is currently available from a number of regional and online bookstores.

Written by mother of two Rebecca Leonard and featuring numerous black-and-white computer-generated illustrations by her son Nick Leonard, Adirondack Nightmare: A Spooky Tale in the North Country is a Halloween adventure novel for young people new to chapter books. Enhanced with tasty original Adirondack recipes like "John and Mary's Best Michigan Sauce Recipe Ever" and "Caramel & Chocolate Covered Candied Apple Recipe", Adirondack Nightmare is goosebump-inducing treat from cover to cover. A great holiday mood-setting story for reading aloud chapter by chapter or allowing novice readers to immerse themselves in the spine-chilling joy of words.

I loved this book and all of the receipe's, especially the michigans! I grew up in the area and this book allowed me to travel back to my roots. Thank you Rebecca and Nick for this wonderful trip down memory lane!

And librarians and the kids they share it with will love this book. The detailed pictures beg for young readers to take a closer look. Baby bats wear swimmies on their arms. A water fountain is turned into a great splashing pool. Characters from books kids know and love make frequent appearances, and the library setting reminds us of the venerable institutions we all remember, or at least wish we'd grown up with. This librarian says the book is not to be missed and I'm off to order my copy now.

Children enjoy seeing references to their favorite books in this book, and then THIS book becomes a new favorite to be enjoyed over and over again. The illustrations are particularly wonderful, reminiscent of those of Garth Williams in terms of cuteness. They are just as appealing as his, yet more realistic since they are executed as full color paintings.
This book is a worthy companion to Bats at the Beach, and even more clever.
It won't disappoint you!

Another inky evening is here and it's Bat Night at the library: a time when book-loving bats fly in to adventure and storytime's lure. Brian Lies' gorgeous, fun drawings highlight a different kind of bookworm and add appeal and zest even adult read-alongs will appreciate. Highly recommended for discriminating picture book libraries seeking captivating, different story lines and appealing drawings.

I work in a public library so am always interested in stories set in libraries. There's hundreds of children's picture books doing just that but Brian Lies has come up with an original idea of having bats as his main characters. Well actually its not original characters in the fact that this is a sequel to his very successful Bats at the Beach but original in the bats/library combination.

Anyway the basic plot is a librarian has left a window open and the call goes out into the night that there is access to the library. Apparently bats have been waiting on edge for something like this to happen. A window left open is a rare event and these bats will not hesitate to take up this opportunity. Inside the library the bats use the overhead projector to make shadow puppets (you'd think they could do this with a full moon outside all the time but who knows), read the books and use their imagination to act out scenes from them.

Not the most interesting of storylines but the pictures are very well drawn. One bat is wearing a lifejacket which is never explained though.
For those who are big fans of bats, I'd check this out.

The best three books I've come across that are set in a library are Goldie Socks and the Three Libearians by Jackie Hopkins, Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen and Library Mouse by Daniel Kirk.

Brian Lies is an amazing children's author and illustrator!!!! The details in his pantings are incredible. If you are able to go and listen to one of his readings and book signings it is more than worth your while. He is wonderful with children and really takes his time to describe the development of his stories and pictures to parents/teachers/adults. I can not say enough about this author. I am a children's Speech-Language Pathologist and a parent and he is by far one of my favorite children's author's. I look forward to reading many more of his stories with my son and clients as well! Thank you Brian for sharing your talents and stories with others!!!!!

This Halloween story explores sibling rivalry using the example of Halloween costumes. The younger sister, Angela, gets hand-me-downs and never really shines. Situations such as trick-or-treating in the rain will be very familiar to Oregon coast children, and will make them laugh. Angela finally gets her "moment in the sun" when her older sister comes down with chicken pox on Halloween (this won't be familiar to young readers of today, since immunizations, but will give an opportunity for an adult to explain). The conclusion is satisfying--Angela not only gets recognized but she learns to be compassionate towards her older sister. The simple, colorful illustrations are engaging and amusing. The classic typeface will be easy for a younger child to read. This will make a good read-aloud for primary grades, leading to a discussion of "what are you wearing for Halloween?"

Bernadette always has the best costume on Halloween, so how can her little sister Angela compete? Perhaps by wearing Bernadette's costume from last year? But once again Bernadette seems to preside in popularity with her fabulous new costume leaving Angela's in the dust: can she make changes which will make her the star? Any sibling who's faced Halloween will find the idea familiar in this fine story.

Here's a Halloween book you can read to your kids all year round. Children who love costumes (and who doesn't?) will enjoy The Costume Copycat full of dress-up fun and sibling rivalry. Put this charming book next to your costume box for a daily read with your little monsters.

Maryann MacDonald's story of sibling rivalry, revolving around a Halloween costume, is quietly funny and uplifting. Every child who loves Halloween and wants to have the best costume will relate to this gem of a story. Parents, too, will find the text and illustrations endearing and enduring.

Angela's big sister Bernadette always one-ups her on Halloween. One year, for example, Bernadette dresses as a bunny and Angela as a fairy. However, when the weather turns windy, Angela's fairy is all but covered up by her jacket, but Bernadette's bunny is unmistakeable. Mrs. Walker, the next door neighbor exclaims, "Oh, look at that cute little bunny," and takes two pictures of Bernadette. Angela only gets one picture.

So what's a little sister to do? Under a sort of "imitation is the best insurance against costume-wise sisters" theory, Angela goes the next year as a bunny. Smart! But the next year is muddy, and the white bunny suit soon resembles (according to Mrs. Walker) a rat. Bernadette's black witch's costume is only enhanced by mud. And so it goes, year after year, until Angela is 7. At that point, she gets tired of her copycat ways backfiring, and goes for an original design. Furthermore, Bernadette can best her because Bernadette has the measles, "So Angela went trick or treating with Gerard Schwartz."

Finally, Angela gets the attention that always went to her sister, even the gauche Mrs. Walker delights in her costume and gives her TWO cany apples. What's even more impressive, however, is that Angela's costume skills are matched by a new maturity: She gives the second apple to her measled sister!

Ms. McDonald explores several aspects of sibling rivalry, neither over-dramatizing nor shirking away from Angela's hurt feelings and anger. The year-over-year narrative feels surprisingly clear and natural, and the ancillary characters (Mrs. Walker, Mrs. Walker cat, the parents, young Gerard dressed as a TV) add to the depth. In playful, energetic watercolor and ink pictures, illustrator Anne Wilsdorf captures the collective energy and excitement of kids meeting on the street, as well as conveying Angela's emotions. It's an excellent mixture of outer and inner moments. Whether you have a sib rivalry problem or not, this is a fun, absorbing, humorous, and colorful book (I loved the pictures of the costumes). You'll want to read about Angela and Bernadette even when Halloween is not looming.

It's always fun to tell ghost stories around a fire late at night, but coming up with something original isn't always easy. Adams has offerred us a collection of truly original tales that make for a spooky evening.

Adams has a knack for the original while he mixes small-town nastalgia with evil lurking just around the corner, or on the radio, or in the pond, or in the woods.

I'd love to read a full length effort from JA in the future.

We spend many a night at our backyard campfire and several overnighters up in the mountains here in upstate NY and are always looking for new stories to scare the heck out of the boys. We found it here with Creepy Campfire Tales. Wide eyes from our boys looking back at me over the fire while I read from its pages say it all. Keep em coming!!!

This book is perfect to tell around campfires or to kids on hayrides during Halloween parties, if you live in the country like us. The stories are short enough to remember the main details for retelling, yet long enough when you read them by yourself they seem to really be happening. Also, there are no dumb endings or forced scenes where people do unrealistic things. Everything seems like something logical you would do if the story was really ahppening. They all happen at Halloween or In October, and all around campgrounds or camp fires at some point in the story. They are all new too. So many other campfire story books we bought were retellings of old stories or just dumb stories. These are brand new, so the kids will really be shcoked by the endings. There are hayrides, monsters, spooky scenes in the deserted woods, and lonely campsites on farms. Onse story is about a family all alone, in the deep woods of Maine, and what happens to them when an unknown "thing" intrudes on their cook out. Having been to Maine, the feeling lonelinees and isolation in the book matches the real thing. Our friends from the big city (Manchester) think being out in the middle of nowhere is terifying. We think dark city streets are scary, so I bet city folk like our friends would be very scared by this book. It is fine for teens, while there is death and fright, no cusssing or sex (aside from one kissing scene, no nudity you could say.). Many of these characters reminded me of being in school and all the bon fires we would have, which sooner or later, led to telling ghost stories.

So, I read this book after a friend recommended it. I have never really enjoyed 'campfire tales'. This book was as creepy as it promised. And definitely original. I couldn't put the book down. I have shared the book already and have another friend waiting for it to be returned. I'll definitely read the second one. Keep writing, Mr. Adams and keep sharing those freakish dreams of yours. And I'll try to get some of my friends to buy their own copies...

This book is a really awesome book to have!! I was looking for a book with scary campfire stories to read when we all go camping and I hit the jackpot with this book. Everyone absolutely loves it. The stories seem so real and it's very easy to get wrapped up in them. I would definately recommend this book to anyone who loves a good horror story. Looking forward to Part II of Creepy Campfire Tales or any book for that matter written by James D. Adams, he knows how to keep your interest.

Just got a few of this series for my 8 year old and he is reading about 1 a day and has asked for more of them. They are admittedly short but my son has been a resistant reader and loves these!! So keep them coming!!

Kirk! I finally got some of your books. Don't ask me why it took so long. I have no idea, but my daughter is reading now (not yet this advanced) and it reminded me that you were publishing some. These are fantastic! I will be scrutinizing every detail in search of familiar cameos. Hope you are doing well and I am honored to have learned so much from you so long ago. -Brian

My three sons love to read books filled with humor and this book delivered many laughs.

Grampa and Wiley have a wild adventure when they decide to attend a monster truck show, starring Dracula (a man who resembles a 'red-neck' Elvis) and his amazing 'Mudsucker.' It just so happens that the day of the monster truck show is Halloween and the weather is expected to be fierce- with an F5 tornado fast approaching. Not only will the two have to fear the tornado and the sary creatures at the truck show, but also Gramma's wrath. Which is worse? They soon find out.

This book is filled with many laughs and a great adventure. Just when you think it's gonna get scary, things start to surprise you! Very cute. Can't wait to read #2.

Grade A, prime cut chapter book material for your kid. We LOVE all 4.

I love the Wiley & Grampa series by Kirk Scroggs. Dracula vs. Grammpa at the Monster Truck Rally is great for the Christmas season. It's the first in the series. So, be sure to check out the rest. These books are a lot of fun for boys who might be picky about what they read. If your child loves the Captain Underpants books, then turn him on to these.

Author of "Hobo Finds A Home" editor "Of A Predatory Heart"

Mr. Costello's debut work is beautifully illustrated and the story is witty. Although it is written for small children, my nine year old son enjoys reading it to my 4 year old daughter. The book is also being used in his fourth grade poetry class. I highly recommend it!

I'm a firm believer that good poetry teaches children a great deal. Not only about the subject at hand, but about the lyric nature of our language and good bit about spelling and sentence construction as well.

Thus we all welcome David Costello's brilliant book, "Here They Come!" Not only is the poetry good, but the topic is fun and treated with great humor. Text follows so you can judge yourself. {my Amazon 'Look Inside' feature would load any pages and I can't tell if it's a problem on my side or theirs.}

Here comes our chance for a Halloween fright,
For this is the place every Halloween night
Where the scariest creatures are known to appear,
And that's why the party is here every year:
Where the path in the woods takes a bend and a turn,
Round a circle of stones where a fire can burn
And light up the scene by the old hollow tree.
It's an excellent place for a party to be.

Five Stars. Not in the least scary. Good artwork that appeals to children. The poetry is first rate. The plot involves two little `creatures' whose mother has told them that they are in for a good party and an ultimate scare. A scare that is not from what your children might expect.

My 2 year old received this beautiful book last Halloween and even now in April he regularly requests that we read it before bedtime. How can I refuse? Mr. Costello's lyrical gift is matched only by his brilliant illustrations. We look forward to more high quality children's books from this talented author.

Incredible art work. Beautiful and fun! Great story for every halloween... a new tradition. Wicked sense of humor.

"She says that a scare lets you know you're alive." Great introduction to all the creatures that go boom in the night and exist on Halloween with exquisite creative illustrations and cute rhymes. "Gremlins come waddling followed by trolls, an ogre comes strolling with cinnamon rolls." Funny unexpected twist in the last few pages of the story will make you laugh. Possibly the greatest Halloween book I've ever had the joy of reading. David Costello's first children's book is a smash!

Horrible Harry in Room 2B is one of the most hilarious books I've ever read. It is addicting and doesn't stop making you laugh. It is a book for all ages from 7 to 10. One of the parts that I thought was very good was when Harry makes stub people out of broken pencils. When he makes 24 of them he going to invade the class room
The book is very different and they aren't very long so you can read a lot of them like I did. My favorite one so far was Horrible Harry and the Christmas Surprise. I think you should read it during Christmas
I think if you have a good sense of humor you should try one of these books out Your probably end up reading them all like me.

This book is so funny I'm going to cry!! This book is the best book you could ever get! You will love it! In the hilarious story, there are five funny people. There names are Harry, Mary, Song Lee, Cindy and Doug. Harry does such mischievous things! I would recommend this book to younger kids who love funny books! You will have to buy this book or I will buy it for myself!!
by, Adrian

I think this book is cool. This is the best book I ever read. It is the best book I have ever read because Harry is very realistic. And Harry likes cookies and so do I. And Harry is horrible but he is still very cool. ~Gaby~

I'm wrting about Horrible Harry in Room 2B. Horrible Harry is very horrible because he plays tricks on girls and he even made Sidney say "I like girls" or he was going to tickle him. My favorite chapter was Horrible Harry and the Stub People and Halloween. In his costume he slithers. Can you guess what he is? I really liked Horrible Harry in Room 2B. I thought that Horrible Harry was too horrible. I would tell a lot of people to read Horrible Harry in Room 2B. I liked the book a lot! Would you want to read Horrible Harry in Room 2B?

Horriable Harry in Room 2B is my favorite book. Not only is it a book that i have grown up with, it is also an interesting and enjoyable book to just sit down and read. From the funny stiches he gets himself involved into, and the "double revenge" that he puts upon Sidney, this book has always made me giggle. If you arn't sure if an older kid would like it, let me tell you this, im 16 and Horriable Harry in Room 2B is DEFINTALY my FAVORITE book!

Jeanne Massey was my first grade teacher, and she often told us this story (whether it was close to Halloween or not!) I have long since lost my copy that she gave me, but the story and those times are treasured memories.

Desperately seeking a copy of this book. One of my very favorites from childhood. If you come across a copy, read read read!

I loved this book so much as a child, I'm desperate to find a copy of it to give to my nine year old daughter for her birthday next month. It touches on so many realistic situations for children in school, and many of the emotional issues little girls face. It's a wonderful story!

I remember this book from my childhood and would love to buy a copy of it now. You say it is out of print, and I am therefore asking you to search for a copy of it from your used books networks source. Thanks

On her first Hallowe'en as a witch, Littlest Witch misplaces her broom, arrives late at the witches' circle and uses all her magic to help instead of haunt, those whom she encounters during the evening. Although she does not participate in the annual race to the moon, Littlest Witch has her own adventures, and ends up with a very special prize. The other witches in the witches' circle finally, grudgingly, accept that Littlest Witch is a "good witch."

Halloween is my favorite holiday and now it has a new tradition: a book to be read on October 31, and throughout the year.
"Los Gatos Black on Halloween" is as rich and delicious as a slice of pumpkin pie. All the creepy creatures from the other world are gathering for their yearly bash at the local haunted house. Ghosts and Ghouls, Witches and Vamps, dance and cavort until the scariest monsters of all come trick-or-treating at the door. Marisa Montes' rhyming text is spot on.
And Yuyi Morales' illustrations kick the whole thing up to an even more supernatural level. She layers rich cultural references (Is that an Aztec giving the conquistador the raspberry?) and witty humor (the vain vampire checking his hair IN A MIRROR) into her astounding artwork, reminiscent of the finest Mexican muralists.
This little trick is a definite treat.

This is an excellent book for diversity in your classroom. Words are defined in the back for easy reference. You can adapt this book for extension lessons every easily.

Both me and my wife (a first grade teacher) really loved this book. It has great artwork (the first thing I look for), a really fun poem that incorporates Halloween words Spanish (teaching them through context), and cute ending. A great Halloween book for the classroom.

My children like this book. The 5 year-old likes the blend of "creepy" characters with common halloween themes, the 16 month-old likes the illustrations, and I like the bilingual aspect. Wonderful illustrations.

Love the concept, love the text. Ah, but the illustrations are the main treat - better than a bagful of Snickers and Atomic Fireballs! So spooky, so rich, and full of delicious details - you can get lost in them for hours!