Children's Book Reviews
By Nancy LittlejohnFive Little Pumpkins Pictures by Dan Yaccarino
Harper Growing Tree, September 1998.Board Book, 14 pages.
ISBN: 0694011770.
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
Put on your best spooky reading voices, and delight your children
with this cute rendition of a favorite fingerplay. Five brilliant
orange jack o' lanterns are sitting on a gate. (Be sure to point
out that each one has a uniquely carved face with lots of different
shapes and expressions.) Keep track of those pumpkins as they all
have something special to say as a bright yellow harvest moon rises
in a midnight blue sky. A slinky white ghost slithers from a chimney
in the background. (Maybe it belongs to a haunted house!) Next funny
green witches are flying all about. But the smiley-faced jack o'
lantern doesn't care. The fourth and fifth ones are up for some
adventure, too, but suddenly oooooooooooo went the wind (remember
those spooky voices, parents) and out went the lights, a black cat
appears and those five little pumpkins have had enough for that
night! Have fun pointing out the colors, the shapes and the rhyme,
and be prepared to read this one over and over again. Maybe you
can even take turns making the noises. Happy Halloween!
(Cackle,Cackle!)
--Nancy Littlejohn
The Spooky Halloween Surprise by Suzy-Jane Turner
HarperFestival, September 1998.Paperback, 19 pages
Ages 2-5.
ISBN: 0694011231.
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
Who doesn't love lift-the-flap books, especially at Halloween, a time
of mystery and surprises? Whiskers Witch, a cheery little cat, is our
hostess for the evening. She has a giant cat jack o' lantern that she
is just lighting as the story begins. (Hint: Keep your eyes on that
jack o' lantern!) Suddenly, a c-r-e-a-k startles Whiskers. Lift the
tablecloth to find Marvin Monster who thinks he heard something in
the next room. BOOO! Marvin and Whiskers are really scared now so
let's lift the spider web on the stairwell to find an equally scared
Spooky Spider. Join the gang as they troop upstairs where Whiskers,
Marvin and Spooky continue to be startled by scary sounds and find
even more of their friends like Maggie Mouse, Gertie Ghost, Betty
Bat, and Skippy Skeleton in the oddest places. Lift the flaps on a
Grandfather clock, a haunted closet, a shutter, and a doorway. Who
is causing all of those noises, anyway? Why, it's that wily jack o'
lantern, tee-hee. Of course, now that everyone is all gathered
around, it's time for the Halloween Party to begin. Watch our new
friends in a merry dance, and discover that Halloween isn't that
spooky after all. Even Marvin the Monster and Spooky Spider are
holding hands, smiling big smiles as they wave good-bye. This book
is great for introducing very young children to Halloween with just
enough thrills to capture their attention without making the
traditional Halloween characters too creepy. It's cheery and fun and
even cozy with its cast of lovable, cuddly creatures. Enjoy the
party!
--Nancy Littlejohn
Return to the October 1998 issue of The IWJ.
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