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Following
Spook-tacular
by Jillian Melnyk
Monsters, ghosts, and more... This selection of books will gear you up for the Halloween season! But they're not all fear and frights, some are playful and fun too with a bit of humor and silliness mixed in.Grab a flashlight, snuggle up tight and enjoy!
The Haunted Hamburger and Other Ghostly Stories
Written by David LaRochelle & Illustrated by Paul Meisel Dutton Children's Books, 2011, hardcover, $16.99 Ages 6-9
What scares ghosts? These “ghost stories” are a bit different – a haunted hamburger, frightening kisses from a grandmother – it's enough to frighten two rambunctious little ghosts and lure them to bed.Light and fun, these tales are silly with just a touch of spook, so they're perfect for your little ghosts and ghouls.
Pat the Beastie – A Pull-and-Poke Book
By Henrik Drescher Workman Publishing, 2009, hardcover, $11.95 Ages 3 and up
In this fun parody of Pat the Bunny, two naughty children aren't as nice to their pet Beasty as they should be – they tickle his toes, pick his boogers, and pull his fur – and readers are invited to join in. But will karma get them in the end? Interactive and loads of fun, readers of all ages will enjoy the ending.
Rascally Cake
Written by Jeanne Willis & Illustrated by Korky Paul Andersen Press, 1994, paperback, $8.99 Ages 5-8
Rufus Skumskins O'Parsley loves to eat the most dreadful things and the cake he's about to whip up might make you cringe (moldy leaves and snotty handkerchiefs as ingredients? No thanks!). But he's about to be in for a big surprise when the cake doesn't turn out as planned. Delightfully fun, the text and illustrations are both filled with frightful details that will leave little monsters roaring for more.
I Need My Monster
Written by Amanda Noll & Illustrated by Howard McWilliam Flash Light Press, 2009, hardcover, $16.95 Ages 5-8
Gabe has been a staple under Ethan's bed, but what happens when he takes off for a night and goes out fishing?The substitute monsters that replace Gabe just don't cut it. Their claws aren't sharp enough, their tails not spiky enough... what will Ethan do? An amusing twist on the typical monster-under-the-bed story.
The Dangerous Alphabet
Written by Neil Gaiman & Illustrated by Gris Grimly HarperCollins Children's Books, 2008, hardcover, $17.99 Ages 5-8
Trolls, monsters and a variety of other unsavory characters populate this book with its brilliant imagery and enticing rhymes. Simple enough in concept (it is an alphabet book, after all) it's actually quite multi-layered and filled with characters and elaborate settings that will dazzle and intrigue... dangerous indeed!
Jillian Melnyk is the Editor for Rochester Area & Genesee Valley Parent Magazine. She has an MFA in Writing for Children from the Center for the Study of Children's Literature at Simmons College. She welcomes questions about books and can offer endless recommendations at Editor@GVParent.com
