Off we go, into autumn, with nearly everyone’s favorite
dress-up holiday approaching. It’s time to explore different personalities, try
on costumes, practice a new accent, and watch out for surprises as our friends
and family members investigate their own possibilities. Inspect these smart but
simple stories that want to stick in your mind even when you’re no longer
reading them. Beware! Kids will want to re-read! (But, even better? So will
you!)
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything
by Linda Williams, illustrated by Megan
Lloyd
For the
youngest children who want to be scared at Halloween, but not too much, this is a perfect read-aloud book
for even the most active to interact with. The little old lady of the title
leaves home, walking in the forest “to collect herbs and spices, nuts and
seeds.”
As it gets dark and she starts
home, suddenly right in the middle of the path she meets up with a spooky pair
of big shoes. “And the shoes went CLOMP, CLOMP.” Further along are a creepy pair
of pants, a shirt, gloves, and a hat. Each makes a sound or a movement which
children can join the reader in making.
The Little Old Lady warns each of
them to “Get out of my way! . . . I’m not afraid of you!” However, she walks a
bit faster, and still behind her she can
hear . . . Finally,
what she meets up with is scariest! and she runs! Once inside her cottage with
the door locked, she rocks in her chair. Until . . . KNOCK, KNOCK!
The
conclusion of the story is very satisfying and ends the next morning after she
whistles her way to bedtime. This book has won many awards over the years and remains
a delightfully shivery story to share.
HarperCollins, $6.99 (paperback) $16.99 (hardcover)
Interest Level: Pre-Kindergarten
– Grade 2
Minnie and Moo and the Haunted Sweater
Minnie and Moo and the Haunted Sweater
by Denys Cazet
From the I-Can-Read
series about two crazy cows, this time as they plan their gifts to the farmer
for his birthday. Minnie decides to give him her last cream puff. Moo has a
bright idea after the chickens and sheep crash into each other. She helps them
untangle by using her knitting needles to knit the farmer a new wool sweater as
a birthday present.
But, Elvis the rooster is
missing! And, the sweater doesn’t look
right – it has a big lump and one sleeve is longer than the other! What they do
to try to shrink it will make readers laugh. Kids reading alone also will know that the sweater is not
haunted, and why - making them giggle more as they realize they have figured
out what the story never says.
Cazet’s cartoon-like ink and
watercolor illustrations show the craziness of the story in a clever pairing
with easy-to-read text.
HarperCollins, $16.99
Interest Level: Grades 1 - 2 Dog and Bear: Tricks and Treats
by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
The
fantastic friends are back for three more exploits as they prepare for the
spookiest holiday. Bear and Dog’s adventures - choosing costumes, answering the
front doorbell, and going out on their own trick or treat tour - show an eager,
warmhearted accepting friendship between the two individuals.
Seeger’s
merry stories demonstrate the bonding friendship the two share; even when they
come to the same wrong conclusion looking in the mirror. The bright acrylic and
India ink illustrations with uncomplicated white backgrounds lend immediacy to
the stories by focusing attention on the actions, expressions, and body
language of the characters.
This
is a great read-aloud treat for the youngest set, who are just learning to
understand simple tricks. Also, with its conversational dialog, it is exactly
right for early readers as a much-sought after more fun/less fright Halloween
choice.
Roaring Brook Press, $14.99
Roaring Brook Press, $14.99
Interest Level:
Pre-Kindergarten – Grade 2
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